Porsche 911 GT3 25th Anniversary

Porsche 911 GT3: 25 years of history

This year marks 25 years since the first Porsche 911 GT3 was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1999.

Over the last 25 years, four generations of the 911 have produced the GT3 (996, 997, 991, 992).

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the GT3, Porsche has looked back on the history of the GT3, so I would like to take a look.

"The 911 GT3 combines consistent lightweight construction with excellent driving dynamics and unmistakable design," says Andreas Preuninger, project manager for the GT division. "Both the racing and road versions have Porsche DNA at their core and reflect Porsche's motorsport experience. All of the victories we've achieved on race tracks around the world are packed into every GT3."

It is a tradition for Porsche to incorporate elements into the GT3 series that have proven their reliability even under the harshest conditions on the circuit, and unlike other 911s, the GT3 is a symbol of Porsche's motorsport division.

This sports car has been on public roads for 25 years, and with each new model it has become faster, more precise and more dynamic.

The racing version of the 911 GT3 has also been a success, scoring numerous class and overall victories at major endurance races such as the Nürburgring, Spa and Daytona.

The GT3 is an amazing car, but Roland Kussmaul, who served as a race engineer, test driver, and development driver at Porsche for 40 years, said, "The GT3's true value is shown on the circuit, but at the same time it is also a high-performance sports car that can be used on an everyday basis," which is even more amazing.

Porsche 911 GT3, evolution over four generations

Let's take a quick look at the evolution of the Porsche 911 GT3 over the past four generations.

996 GT3

First up was the 265kW (360PS) GT3, which was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1999.

This is the so-called 996 generation, and the 996 generation of the 911 was released a few months after this announcement.

The first generation GT3 was equipped with a 3.6-liter engine that was an improved version of the 911 GT1's 6-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine. The engine produced maximum power at 7,200 rpm and redlined at 7,800 rpm.

With a speed of 302 km/h, Walter Röhrl completed the 20.8 km Nürburgring Nordschleife in under eight minutes (7 minutes 56.3 seconds to be exact), a remarkable feat.

Apparently this was the first time that a car capable of running on public roads had achieved this record.

The next upgrade came in 2003 (this was the 996.2) and increased power by 15 kW (21 PS). This upgrade was based on the principle of increasing power and torque while keeping displacement and fuel economy the same.

997 GT3

Three years later, in 2006, the 997.1 generation GT3 was released, boasting an even more powerful output of over 305 kW (415 PS) and a new maximum engine speed of 8,400 rpm.

In addition to the high-speed concept, the 997's six-cylinder engine has an optimised air supply for improved performance, and for the first time it is fitted with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

In 2009 it was upgraded (997.2) with an engine displacement of 3.8 liters and an output of 320kW (435PS).

Additionally, chassis components and aerodynamics have been improved to deliver an even more dynamic driving experience, including a redesigned rear wing and a fully covered underbody.

This effectively increases downforce, more than doubling ground pressure compared to the previous model.

991 GT3

In 2013, the new 991 generation GT3 was introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show. This year also marked the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911, and the GT3 was completely redeveloped to commemorate this, from the engine, gearbox, body, and chassis.

The 3.8-liter flat-engine delivers 350 kW (475 PS) and a top speed of 315 km/h.

The big revolution here is the introduction of PDK to the GT3, which significantly reduces shift times and improves performance.

A new chassis with active rear axle steering and other aerodynamic refinements make the 991 GT3 one of the most agile and precise 911s ever made. The time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is under 7 minutes 30 seconds.

Four years later, in 2017, the 991.2 generation was born. The horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine had a larger displacement of 4.0 liters and a maximum output of 368 kW (500 PS).

In addition, there are two transmissions to choose from: PDK and a six-speed manual. The six-speed manual is popular with purist drivers, and from this generation, an optional Touring Package (which replaces the fixed rear wing with an automatically deploying spoiler) is also available.

992 GT3

The current 911 GT3, the 992.1 generation 911, will be released in 2021.

The 4.0-liter flat-six engine produces 375 kW (510 PS). Innovative racing technology, such as double wishbone front suspension and optimized aerodynamics thanks to the swan-neck rear wing, make the GT3 the most advanced 911 we've ever driven.

So even now, 25 years after the launch of the first GT3, the 911 GT3 remains synonymous with sporty performance and technological innovation, and Porsche is continuing to make strides to continue the GT3's success story.

So, Porsche is taking a look back at the 25-year history of the GT3 and will announce the new GT3 (992.2) on October 18, 2024! (I'd be surprised if this wasn't the case (lol)).

I'm really looking forward to seeing what the 992.2 GT3 will look like.

Reference article:First Porsche 911 GT car, type 992.2, to have world premiere

Source:(Official)Porsche celebrates the 911 GT3: 25 years of performance and passion