History of Porsche 911 GT3

20 years since the introduction of the Porsche 911 GT3

The first Porsche 911 GT3 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999.

It's 2019 now. In other words, it's been 20 years since the Porsche 911 GT3 was born in this world! Congratulations on the 20th anniversary, Porsche 911 GT3s ^ ^

I would like to look back on the history of the Porsche 911 GT3, which has reached such 20 years.

Currently, thankfully I have a GT3,The encounter between me and GT3 is an intersection.. It was the beginning of the Porsche 911 GT3 in me that I witnessed the wonderful black shining figure running away and said "What is that cool Porsche !!!" ^ ^

The history of GT3 in me is only about one year. I would like to know a little bit about the history here.

History of Porsche 911 GT3: The beginning of GT3 is 996

The Porsche official website looked back on its history at the turning point of the 20th anniversary of GT3, so I would like to look at that history together with information from other sites. It's a bullet point again. * The source is at the bottom of the page.

1st generation: Porsche 911 GT3 996 first half (996.1)

-The announcement of the Porsche 911 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999 marked the beginning of a new era for sports car drivers. The first Porsche 911 GT3 is "Porsche 996".

Porsche 911 GT3 996 previous term

-Unlike other Porsche 911, GT3 is a car that embodies Porsche Motorsport itself.

The GT3 was developed by two-time World Rally Champion Walter Röhrl, race engineer Roland Kussmaul, and Weissach's Porsche Motorsport specialists.

Porsche 911 GT3 996 previous term

-Since then, GT3 has evolved into a faster, more accurate, and more dynamic car with each generation.

-Naturally aspirated engine (NA), manual transmission, rear-wheel drive GT3 continues to be the most popular Porsche 911 to this day.

-The race version of the Porsche 911 GT3 has a history of motorsport. In addition to countless victories in various classes, GT3 has won numerous overall championships in major endurance races since 2000, including the Spa 24-hour endurance, the Daytona 24-hour endurance, and the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance.

Porsche 911 GT3 Supercup 996 previous term @ Geneva Motor Show

-One of the secrets to the success of the Porsche 911 GT3 is that these motorsport experiences and innovations will be applied to the development of the next generation road version.

-The Porsche 911 GT3 80% produced so far is being used for circuit driving. (Oh, my GT3 is in the 20% that doesn't run on the circuit ... sorry, GT3 ... ^^).

GT3 appears as a successor to Porsche 911 Carrera RS2.7

-The Porsche 911 GT3 continues the tradition of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS2.7, which began in the 1970s.

-For the first time, the model that inherited the tradition was given the name "RS" for racing sports, but instead was given the name "GT3". → Depending on the GT class in which GT3 fights in motor sports.

* By the way, "RS" is an abbreviation for "Rennsport" in German, which means "Racing Sport" in English.

Porsche 911 GT3 996 previous term @ Geneva Motor Show

-The water-cooled 3.6-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine has 360 horsepower.

-Porsche 911 GT3 has already achieved a record by Walter Röhrl on the north course (20.8 km) of the Nürburgring in less than 8 minutes before its debut in Geneva. This was the fastest road car.

Porsche 911 GT3 996 previous term

-The chassis has been lowered by about 30 mm, the brakes have been renewed, and the 6-speed manual is from the Porsche 911 GT2. Gearbox ratio, axle shape, anti-roll bar and springs can be adjusted by circuit conditions.

-Emphasis on lightweight structure before comfort.

-The rear wing exists as a symbol of the car being made from motor sports.

Porsche 911 GT3 996 previous term

-Club sports packages can be ordered as an option, including roll cages.

-The first GT3 started in May 1999 on the Weissach production line.

-As the foundation of motor sports official recognition, the success of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, and the Porsche 911 GT3 R, GT3 RSR made one make in the next few years, and also achieved excellent results in GT races.

Second generation: Porsche 911 GT3 996 late (996.2)

-Since the Porsche 911 GT3 was first announced, Porsche announces a new GT3 every 3-4 years.

Porsche 911 GT3 996 late

-In 2003, the power of the boxer engine increased to 381 horsepower by using VarioCam's continuously variable camshaft control system. This is "Porsche 996 Late (996.2)"

Porsche 911 GT3 996 late

-From this 996 late generation, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) can be ordered as an option for GT3. From the latter half of 996, GT3 became a catalog model.

3rd generation: Porsche 911 GT3 997 previous term (997.1)

・ It was three years later that GT3 reached the increased power of 415 horsepower. In February 2006, the Porsche 911 GT3 997 early model (997.1) appeared.

Porsche 911 GT3 997 previous term

-At this time, for the first time, GT3 adopted the sporty Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

Porsche 911 GT3 997 previous term

4th generation: Porsche 911 GT3 997 late (997.2)

・ In 2009, the 6-cylinder boxer engine will be 3.8 liters and 435 horsepower. This is "Porsche 911 GT3 997 late model (997.2)"

Porsche 911 GT3 997 late

-A completely new rear wing is also installed, and downforce is greatly increased (more than double the previous generation).

Porsche 911 GT3 997 late

5th generation: Porsche 911 GT3 991 first half (991.1)

-In 2013, in the year of Porsche's 50th anniversary, the Porsche 911 GT3 announced the 5th generation at the Geneva Motor Show. The engine, transmission, body and chassis are completely new. This is "Porsche 991 first half (991.1)".

-This GT3 is a 3.8-liter NA engine with 475 horsepower. PDK appeared for the first time here. In addition, the rear axle steering was introduced for the first time from this generation.

Porsche 911 GT3 991 first half

-The 991 early model Porsche 911 GT3 marked 7:25 on the north course of the Nürburgring. This was more than 30 seconds faster than the 1999 GT3 (996 early model).

Porsche 911 GT3 991 first half

Porsche 911 GT3 991 first half

6th generation: Porsche 911 GT3 991 late (991.2)

-The current latest version of GT3 was announced in 2017. Horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine, 4 liters of 500 horsepower. This is "Porsche 991 Late (991.2)".

Porsche 911 GT3 991 late

-In addition to the PDK, the latest GT3 (late 991 model) also has a 6-speed manual.

Porsche 911 GT3 991 late

-Furthermore, a "touring package" without wings is also available. This touring package exists as a slightly understated version of the 1970s Porsche 911 Carrera RS2.7.

Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Package (Late 991 / 991.2)

List of successive Porsche 911 GT3

Finally, I briefly listed the successive Porsche 911 GT3. I am looking forward to the day when I can add the 7th generation 992 type GT3 to this table ^ ^

Source:
◆ Celebrating 20 years of the Porsche 911 GT3
◆ Have wing, will travel --The history of the Porsche 911 GT3

Rika (911supercars.com)

I'm Rika, the author of this article. Ever since Porsche 911 became my favorite car, I've become totally addicted to Porsche, and I can't stop loving Porsche, so I started this blog. My favorite cars are 911 Carrera (991.2), 911 Carrera Cabriolet (992.1), and 911 Carrera T (992.1).