Porsche 911 GT3

We’ve been waiting a long time for this. The Australian press launch for the 991-series GT3 was meant to take place in March 2014, but then came the much-publicised engine failures, resulting in two cars getting rather toasty.

What went wrong? Faulty conrod bolts led to the GT3’s 3.8-litre flat-six becoming naturally-aspirated in another sense by having a big hole in the side of it. The fault was quickly found and rectified, but the need for the revised engine to be sent through Porsche’s rigorous reliability regime is responsible for the lengthy delay.

So is the latest hardcore 911 worth the wait? Er, yes. Our test took place exclusively at Queensland Raceway, so a definitive verdict will have to wait until we’ve tried it on the road, but in terms of fitness for purpose a 911 for circuit work the new 991 GT3 is pretty much perfect. Each car at the launch completed about 120 flat-out laps in 35-degree heat yet, tyres aside, felt as fresh on lap 120 as it did on lap one.

The 991 GT3 has a substantially wider footprint than its predecessor, being 85mm longer with wider tracks front (by 54mm) and rear (31mm). The extra length has allowed for a significant 102mm wheelbase stretch, which Porsche has offset by introducing all-wheel steering for increased agility.

It works, too. In tighter corners, the GT3 pivots almost instantly, yet in faster corners it’s incredibly stable, thanks in no part to the latest Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. It’s friendlier than ever almost foolproof with Porsche Stability Management activated yet two seconds a lap faster around QR than
its predecessor.

The 991 is the first GT3 not to use Porsche’s iconic Metzger engine. Based on the direct-injection unit found in the regular 911, a comprehensive overhaul adds dry-sump lubrication, titanium conrods and forged pistons for strength and lightness.

With the eradication of the appealing rattle at idle, some of the GT3’s race-like character has been lost, but when the new unit is lighter, more powerful (350kW/440Nm) and howls its way to 9000rpm, it’s trite to complain. Purists will decry the lack of manual option, but the PDK ’box is flawless would a manual improve the drive? I doubt it.

To be honest, I wasn’t blown away by the GT3 I expected it to be brilliant, and it was. It’s only later, when you spend a solid 15 minutes trying to think of ways it could be improved and coming up with nothing, that you realise that it’s only fair to award it the rare honour of a perfect score.