2007 Porsche 911 GT3

Off-the-Rack Racer

The Porsche 911 GT3 is about as close as you can get to driving a bona fide competition coupe off the racetrack.

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a virtually race-ready version of Germany’s best-known sports car. It delivers remarkable performance that’s topped only by the 911 GT3 RS version. The 911 GT3 is designed for affluent weekend racers and those who want to take to the road, in what amounts to a street-legal competition model.

The 911 line was last redesigned for the 2005 model year, retaining the same basic formula since the original 911 debuted in 1963: a teardrop shape and a rear-mounted engine (which remained air-cooled until 1999).

The Porsche 911 GT3 is visually distinguished by its specific front air dam and large rear wing, which help contribute to its ultra-aerodynamic 0.29 coefficient of drag. Otherwise, it’s visually similar to a standard 911 Carrera Coupe.

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The 911 GT3 is sold exclusively as a rear-drive, two-seat coupe. It features a high-output version of the standard 911 Carrera Coupe’s rear-mounted, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, which gets almost 30 percent more power from the same size engine, without turbocharging. The enhanced version will take the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds and enable it to reach a top speed of 192 mph.

The Porsche 911 GT3 includes a modified version of the base car’s six-speed manual that features a shorter-throw shifter and lower gear ratios for enhanced performance. A “change up display” on the instrument panel alerts the driver when to shift gears for maximum acceleration.

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Four-wheel disc antilock brakes with Active Brake Differential are standard on the Porsche 911 GT3. So is the Porsche Stability Management System (PSM), which uses sensors to monitor each wheel and automatically apply braking or adjust the throttle to improve traction and performance. In high-powered cars like the 911, such safety systems are a boon.

PSM can be disabled for drivers who wish to explore the car’s limits without electronic aids. If deactivated, heavy braking will automatically turn the system back on. The GT3 includes a limited-slip differential and a sophisticated electronic traction control system borrowed from the exotic Porsche Carrera GT sports car, for added pavement grip under a variety of conditions.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management system is standard on the Porsche 911 GT3. It uses sensors to monitor body movement and automatically adjust the suspension according to driving style and road conditions. A “Sport” mode engages stiffer damper settings for ultimate grip on a racetrack. However, this might be too harsh for all but the smoothest roads.

Porsche 911 GT3 Vehicle Summary

Interior styling is understated and more purposeful than luxurious, with well-placed controls. A generous assortment of standard features includes front side and side-curtain airbags.

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Those who want the ultimate GT driving experience may want to consider the limited-production Porsche 911 GT3 RS version. It’s 44 pounds lighter than the standard version, thanks to a carbon-fiber rear wing, a plastic (rather than glass) rear window and lighter-weight sport seats. This translates into a 0-60 mph time that clocks in at one-tenth of a second quicker than the base Porsche 911 GT3. It’s also 1.73 inches wider at the rear than the standard model, which is said to improve roll stability and enhance the car’s lateral acceleration through curves. In addition, it comes with a bolted roll cage, six-point seat belt for the driver and a fire extinguisher.