Porsche 911 GT3
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The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high performance version of Porsche's sports car, the 911. It is based on their GT3 class race car and is slotted alongside the 911 Turbo and the GT2 in the maker's lineup. While the GT3 has a naturally-aspirated engine, both the Turbo and GT2 have turbochargers. It debuted on the 996 platform, replacing the similar 993-based 911 RS, which itself was simply the newest variant of a long line of RS models. In February of 2006, the 997 GT3 was revealed.
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[edit] Pre-Production History
After the debut of the 996 generation 911 in 1998, Porsche began making plans to enter the car into the GT class at the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans and into the Grand-Am Rolex racing series, and set out to develop the race car, simultaneously developing a road-going variant which was required by GT class homologation rules. The car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1999 before going on sale.
[edit] Racing
After winning the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans overall with the Porsche 911 GT1, Porsche had announced not to enter the 1999 Le Mans with a factory car. Yet, two new race versions of the water-cooled 996 showed up in the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, officially entered by private teams, but the drivers involved and Porsche factory engineers in the pits indicated that it was a factory-backed effort. Even though these were the least powerful cars in the event, the new GT3s were noticed by fans for their loud exhaust sound when driving in 1st gear through the pitlane, comparable to ex-Formula 1 engines of Judd.
The new 997-generation racing vehicles began to debut with the GT3 Cup, and was followed by the launch of the 911 GT3-RSR at the 2006 Spa 24 Hours.
The following race versions were or are offered:
- 1999 996 GT3-R
- 2000 996 GT3 Cup [1]
- 2001 996 GT3-RS
- 2004 996 GT3-RSR - with sequential gear box [2]
- 2005 997 GT3 Cup [3]
- 2007 997 GT3-RSR [4]
Apart from numerous class wins, the GT3 won major events overall:
- 2000 24 Hours Nürburgring
- 2003 24 Hours Spa
- 2003 24 Hours of Daytona
Also, at the Nürburgring, the GT3-RS and modified versions (with 3.9 litre engine) win many VLN races.
The Porsche Cup and Porsche Supercup also use the GT3 Cup.
[edit] 996 GT3
As with Porsche's 911 RS models, the GT3 was devoid of any unnecessary items that would add weight to the car. Sound deadening was almost completely removed, as were the rear seats, stereo system, sunroof, and air conditioning, although automatic air conditioning and CD/radio became no-cost optional add-ons. In addition, Porsche offered a no-cost option called the Clubsport package. This option replaced the standard electrically adjustable leather front seats with manually adjustable racing buckets finished in fire-retardant fabric, bolt-in half-roll cage, 6-point drivers racing harness, fire extinguisher (mounted in the front passenger footwell) & preparation for a battery master switch. The Clubsport option was never offered to US customers ostensibly due to the additional DOT Crash testing that would have been required to allow US sales.
To bring the vehicle's track-prowess to the maximum level, Porsche endowed the GT3 with enlarged brakes, a lowered, re-tuned suspension system, lighter-weight wheels and a new front bumper with matched rear spoiler to help increase downforce, thereby increasing grip.
Most important of all was the re-tuned engine. Although it shared the same basic displacement as the 3.6 litre flat-six cylinder that powered the standard 911, it was based on the dry sump GT1 racing motor. Porsche made significant modifications to the heads, intake, exhaust and computer control systems. In addition, Porsche used a specialized manufacturing process on the GT3's engine; standard 911s use a two-piece engine block split down the center line of the crankcase. On the GT3 the split-crankcase parts are cast separately and bolted to the two blocks of three cylinders per bank, a design that was originally developed specifically for racing applications that makes the engine stiffer and capable of producing more power.
Porsche made significant updates to the GT3 for 2004, the first year the car was offered to US customers. Horsepower was raised to 381 horsepower and torque to 284lb.ft, 80% of which was available from a mere 2,000 RPM. The braking setup was upgraded, now featuring 6-piston calipers on the front (rears remained 4-piston), and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system was offered as an option. The new car also was updated to the 2002 911 facelift including headlights that were differentiated from the Boxster.
In track testing by American automotive journals, the GT3 managed a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds and a quarter mile time of 12.3 seconds at 118 miles per hour. During skidpad testing the vehicle posted 1.03g, higher than any other production car in history except the supercar Ferrari Enzo. Porsche introduced a revised 911 GT3 RS to the European market in 2003, marking the last revision of the 996 platform car before its discontinuation in 2005.
Porsche's official test-driver Walter Röhrl completed the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 50 seconds with the 996 GT3 and 7 minutes 43 seconds with the 996 GT3 RS. Cited in an interview with Mr. Röhrl by Swedish sports car magazine Automobil 5.06.
[edit] 997 GT3
In February of 2006, Porsche revealed the latest street-legal version of the GT3, now built on the new 997 platform; the car had already been in active race use for several months. In addition to a new, 415 horsepower 3.6 litre flat-six engine the vehicle features "zero lift" aerodynamics, meaning the car creates only aerodynamic downforce but no "lift", which pulls upwards and away from the road surface and affects overall grip. The vehicle now makes use of a modified, track oriented version of Porsche's active PASM suspension and stability control system, making this the first of Porsche's RS/GT3 911's to feature an electronically adjustable suspension system. Also available are a navigation system and Porsche's "sports chrono" gauge package, making this the most "friendly" lightweight track car the company has ever produced. The car will go on sale in the summer of 2006 and have a starting price of 106,000 USD. The RS will be released in Europe in October 2006 and in North America in spring 2007.
Although independent track testing has yet to be performed, it is thought that the vehicle should be able to go from 0-60 mph in under four seconds (Road and Track produced a 3.9 second time with the heavier, less powerful 997 Carrera S) and hit a top speed approaching 320 km/h (200 mph); Porsche's factory performance claims indicate a 193 mile per hour top speed and a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds (these figures, like most of Porsche's, are probably modest).
Porsche's official test-driver Walter Röhrl completed the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 42 seconds with the 997 GT3. Cited in an interview with Mr. Röhrl by Swedish sports car magazine Automobil 5.06.
[edit] 997 GT3 RS
The GT3 RS is distinguished by its performance capability and an unadulterated driving experience similar to that of a racing car. But while particularly suited for use on the track, the car also meets all requirements for road-legal sports cars.
The reference "RS" will quicken the pulse of Porsche connoisseurs. Models such as the legendary Carrera RS 2.7 of 1972 and the 1991 Type 964 911 RS were also sports cars that stood out on account of their extreme degree of maneuverability and handling. That tradition is continued with the new 911 GT3 RS. In common with its predecessors, it provides an homologation model for use in a range of racing series.
The exceptionally powerful, normally aspirated engine boasts a displacement of 3.6-litres to generate 305kW (415bhp) at 7,600rpm. Maximum revs are reached at 8,400rpm. The power output per litre of engine capacity is 115.3bhp. These figures are shared with the recently-announced 911 GT3, but bespoke drivetrain components in the RS ensures it puts in an even better performance. Thanks to a close-ratio six-speed transmission with a single-mass flywheel and 20kg lower vehicle weight, the engine revs up even more freely, thus enabling the 911 GT3 to sprint from zero to 100kph (62mph) in 4.2 seconds. That's one tenth of a second faster than the GT3. And it takes 13.3 seconds to hit 200kph (124mph). Maximum speed is 310kph (187mph).
One characteristic of the new RS is the body, which is 44mm wider at the rear (a legacy from the Carrera 4 models with which it shares its shell) by comparison with the 911 GT3. The muscular-looking rear end conceals a wider track that not only improves directional stability but also increases the potential cornering grip of the two-seater coupe.
Despite its specialised body, the RS is 20kg lighter than the GT3, weighing in at 1375kg. This weight-saving was achieved by the use, amongst other solutions, of an adjustable carbon fibre wing, the use of a plastic engine cover and a lightweight plastic rear window. As a consequence, the corresponding engine power to kerb weight ratio is over 300bhp per tonne.
At 415 horsepower, the 3.6 litre flat-six engine in the 997 GT3 and GT3 RS is the most powerful naturally aspirated six cylinder engine in any production car.
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