Porsche 911 GT3 Turns 25

The world premiere of the new 911 GT3 marks 25 years of the race car bred for the road. Its unveiling will be broadcast on 18 October at 6:30pm Central European Summer Time in the Porsche Newsroom.

This is the new generation Porsche 911 GT3.

Meantime, what follows is a quick reminder of the 911 GT3 during a quarter century of evolution.

The first Porsche 911 GT3 dotted down at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1999. Andreas Preuninger, Project Manager GT Vehicles said “In the 911 GT3, consistent lightweight construction meets outstanding driving dynamics and unmistakable design.

“Both the racing and road versions carry the Porsche DNA at their core and reflect the company’s motorsport experience. A bit of every victory from racetracks all over the world is contained in every GT3.”

The GT3 bears the hallmark of the Porsche motorsport department. For 25 years, the road-approved sports car has become faster, and more dynamic.

Racing versions of the 911 GT3 are also successful, winning class and overall victories in major endurance races at the Nürburgring, Spa and Daytona.

Race engineer and development driver at Porsche, Roland Kussmaul,said “The GT3 feels at home on the racetrack, but at the same time it is also a high-performance sports car suitable for everyday use.”

Roland Kussmaul helped develop the 911 GT3.

The evolution of 911 GT3

In March 1999, the 911 GT3 debuted, its 3.6L flat six making 265kW. A few months later, the 996 version becomes available and Walter Röhrl drove it around the Nordschleife in under eight minutes, a first for a road car. “This is the most exciting thing that Porsche is putting on the road at the moment,” said Röhrl afterwards. “The turning in the GT3 is very precise. This allows you to take all kinds of corners very quickly – I’ve generally only seen chassis tuning like this in motorsport.”

The first product upgrade to the 911 GT3 appeared in 2003 with an increase of 15kW. Three years later and it was producing 305kW and spinning to 8400rpm. Porsche optimised the air supply in the GT3 generation 997 to improve performance. For the first time the sports car featured an active suspension system.

In 2009, the displacement rose to 3.8 litres, increasing power to 320kW. Chassis components improved, as did aerodynamics. Downforce more than doubled compared with its predecessor.

Third generation of GT3

The third generation of the 911 GT3 also debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show, this time in 2013. A complete redevelopment of the car marked the 50th anniversary of the 911. Delivering 350kW, the third-gen GT3 could run to 315 km/h. It saw the introduction of the PDK double-clutch transmission for even better performance. Rear-axle steering was also new, and furher aerodynamic improvements helped the GT3 to lap the Nordschleife in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

For the fourth generation, the six-cylinder boxer engine grew to 4.0 litres and 368kW. Manual or PDK transmissions were available, as was an automatically extending spoiler.

The current 911 GT3 is based on the 992 generation. Released in 2021, its 4.0-litre boxer engine produces 375kW. It features double wishbone front suspension and a distinctive swan-neck rear wing.

After 25 years, the 911 GT3 continues to be synonymous with sports performance and technological innovation.

Comments from key players

Andreas Preuninger – Project Manager GT Vehicles.

“Over the last 25 years, the GT3 has become more powerful and sporty. For me, there is no car I would rather drive.”

Andreas Preuninger, project manager for GT Vehicles, Porsche.

Jörg Bergmeister – Test development driver for the 911.

“For me, a 911 GT3 is the perfect symbiosis of motorsport and road car.”

Timo Bernhard – Race driver, and Porsche ambassador.

“The 911 GT3 is my personal favourite model. Every GT3 in its era has been a sports car that has brought the maximum possible performance and motorsport experience to the road.”