Review
Simply put, the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 is an all-out assault on the track GT3 RS absolutely transcendent, combining everything we like the 911 standard with out-of-this-world performance, uncompromising driving pleasure and the ability to ride cool wheels. The naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine makes demonic sounds as it howls to the 9,000-rpm redline, producing 502 horsepower in the GT3 and GT3 Touring. The same engine in the new GT3 RS produces 518 horsepower, but the main engineering achievements of this model are the wild aerodynamic elements of the racing car – ideas taken from GT racing cars and Formula 1. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on GT3 models, but we found the optional seven-speed PDK automatic to be faster, as it shifts faster than a human and seems to be linked to the driver’s cerebral cortex. The GT3 RS only comes with the PDK gearbox. While the GT3 and GT3 Touring models are designed to take on the world’s most challenging race tracks, they are almost as agile and easy to drive as a regular 911 when driving around city streets. It’s this dual-purpose nature that makes the GT3 one of our favorite sports cars and why it easily earns a place on the highest pedestal of automotive icons. As for the GT3 RS, it’s as serious in terms of lap times as a 911 can get and still have a license. We can’t wait to drive it to see if it’s too radical a car for anything but racing.
What’s new in 2023?
The top-of-the-line GT3 RS joins the lineup this year, complete with a massive rear wing, race car aerodynamic package and a 518-horsepower version of the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine. The GT3 RS looks insane, a video game race car come to life, and we expect it to hit 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds when we get our hands on it at our test facility.
Pricing and which one to buy
As in the previous generation, Porsche offers two slightly different versions of the ‘standard’ GT3, a basic winged model and a Touring variant that softens the racy look locking the large rear wing. And then there’s the toughest GT3 of them all, the RS. It’s hard to pick just one of these three to recommend as they’re all incredible cars, but our hearts go to the absurd GT3 RS.
Engine, transmission and performance
At the tail end of the 911 GT3 is a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six with 502 horsepower. The engine is essentially identical to the one that powered it the last 911 Speedster we tested, which spun up to 9,000 rpm and wailed hypnotically. The GT3 offers both a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (aka PDK) and a six-speed manual transmission. The We drove the PDK example showcased the intuitive behavior of the automatics, as well as lively engine responses and an intoxicating soundtrack. At our test track, the automatic sprinted to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, and the test car with the six-speed manual delivered an impressive Acceleration to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The GT3 RS, which joins the lineup this year, is tuned for 518 horsepower and comes with a variety of aero elements that create massive downforce to help it stick to the road, including a striking rear wing that incorporates a drag-reducing system similar to the those in Formula 1 racing cars. We’ll update this story as we run it through our testing regime with the tools. The most notable performance upgrade of this latest generation of GT3 models is their control-lever front suspension, a first for a production 911. Combine that with standard adaptive dampers and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 or stickier Cup R tires and the coupe’s chassis delivers extreme cornering grip and unfiltered feedback. While the GT3’s ride is undeniably firm, it never punishes, and the electric power steering is so charmingly communicative that it deserves to be anointed as the best in the business. We’ll see if the RS stiffens up for the race track to the point where it’s uncomfortable on the street. Purist Porsches stop massive steel fasteners; the carbon-ceramic option provides heroic stopping power, easy modulation and resists fading on the track.
Fuel economy and real mpg
The EPA rated the 911 GT3 at 15 mpg city and 18 mpg highway when equipped with the automatic transmission. Switching to a manual transmission drops the city figure to 14 mpg. As soon as we get a chance to run one on our 75mph highway fuel economy route which is part of our extensive testing regimewe can estimate its actual mpg.
Interior, comfort and cargo
The GT3’s interior is very similar to the rest of the 911 lineup, with a clean design and simple layout that pays homage to past iterations of the quintessential Porsche sports car. However, there are a few unique features throughout the cabin. The GT3 gauge still has the prominent analog tachometer surrounded by digital displays, but it gets a GT-specific mode that puts all the important information directly on the displays surrounding the central tachometer. The RS model gets additional controls on the steering wheel to adjust the rebound and compression levels of the adaptive dampers. Models with the PDK automatic transmission also replace the chunky center console lever on regular 911s with a traditional-looking lever that mimics a manual one. Like the last GT3, there’s no cramped back seat for kids, but furbabies can squeeze in there if they can handle the noise. Porsche also offers more than one style of front seat with an optional set of lightweight buckets designed to reduce weight and increase support.
Infotainment system and communication
The infotainment system found on the regular 911 is found in the GT3 version. This means that the 10.9-inch touchscreen sits in the center of the dashboard and is complemented by some physical controls on the steering wheel as well as the center console. Porsche connectivity features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Wi-Fi hotspot. There is also an option to upgrade to a Bose stereo system.
Safety features and driver assistance
Driver assistance technology isn’t part of the GT recipe, with back-up sensors and road sign recognition the only options that could be considered “auxiliary” features. For more information on the 911 GT3’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Road Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and maintenance
Porsche offers a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that also includes one free service visit. Mercedes-AMGfor example, does not include maintenance when buying a car.
- The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- The transmission is covered by a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty
- Included maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
Technical characteristics
Technical characteristics
2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Manual
Vehicle type: rear engine, rear wheel drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE
Base/as tested: $164,150 / $197,935
ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve flat 6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 inches33996 cm3
Power: 502 horsepower at 8400 rpm
Torque: 346 lb-ft at 6,100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed mechanics
CHASSIS
Suspension, front/rear: wishbones/multi-link
Brakes, front/rear: 16.1-inch ventilated cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/15.1-inch ventilated cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
F: 255/35ZR-20 (97Y) N0
R: 315/30ZR-20 (105Y) N0
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 96.7 inches
Length: 180.0 inches
Width: 72.9 inches
Height: 50.4 inches
Passenger volume: 49 feet3
Cargo volume: 5 feet3
Curb weight: 3,199 lbs
C/D EXAMINATION RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 7.5 sec
1/4 mile: 11.5 seconds at 124 mph
130 mph: 12.5 sec
150 mph: 18.2 sec
The results above are omitted 1 foot deployment 0.3 sec.
Start from 5 to 60 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 7.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 7.0 sec
Top speed (manufacturer’s claim): 199 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 134 feet
Braking, 100–0 mph: 262 feet
Road resistance, 300-foot pad: 1.16 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 16/14/18 mpg
2022 Porsche 911 GT3 PDK
Vehicle type: rear engine, rear wheel drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE
Base/As Tested (C/D estimate): $163,450/$200,270
ENGINE
DOHC flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 inches33996 cm3
Power: 502 horsepower at 8400 rpm
Torque: 346 lb-ft at 6,100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, front/rear: wishbone/link
Brakes, front/rear: 16.1-inch ventilated cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/15.4-inch ventilated cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
F: 255/35ZR-20 (97Y) N0
R: 315/30ZR-21 (105Y) N0
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 96.7 inches
Length: 180.0 inches
Width: 72.9 inches
Height: 50.4 inches
Passenger volume: 49 feet3
Cargo volume: 5 feet3
Curb weight: 3,222 lbs
C/D EXAMINATION RESULTS
60 mph: 2.7 sec
100 mph: 6.5 sec
1/4 mile: 10.9 seconds at 129 mph
130 mph: 11.1 sec
160 mph: 19.1 sec
The results above are omitted 1 foot deployment 0.2 sec.
Start from 5 to 60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50mph: 2.1s
Top Gear, 50–70mph: 2.1s
Top speed (manufacturer’s claim): 198 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 133 feet
Braking, 100–0 mph: 262 feet
Road resistance, 300-foot pad: 1.11g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 17/15/19 mpg
https://www.caranddriver.com/porsche/a27435857/911-gt3-gt3-rs/
