997 GT3 in Autoweek

[Jack Olsen]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/This link only worked after about five tries on my computer, so I'm pasting in the article to this post.



The Next Generation: New Porsche GT3 almost complete, should arrive in mid '05

GREG KABLE
Posted Date: 8/25/04

Porsche is already at an advanced stage of development with its new 911 GT3. And while the car appears almost complete, our sources say you’ll have to wait until mid-2005 at the earliest before you can even place an order for the car.



Part of a multifaceted new 997 lineup, the GT3 continues Porsche’s tradition of building circuit-compatible cars for the road. Rumors say the new 911 GT3 will ditch the old model’s hard-revving 3.6-liter engine for the latest evolution of Porsche’s normally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine. In the 911 Carrera S, the new four-valve-per-cylinder 3.8-liter engine generates 350 hp, but Porsche insiders claim power could jump to as much as 400 horses with the redline extended beyond 8000 rpm and other internal modifications such as lightweight pistons, more advanced VarioCam variable valve timing and a larger air intake.



That’s up 20 hp vs. the old GT3 and, with appropriate gearing from a standard six-speed manual transmission, should be enough to blast Porsche’s latest rear-engine road racer from 0 to 60 mph in something less than the 4.18 seconds we recorded in our tests of a 2004 GT3 (AutoFile, June 7).



Underneath, GT3 is expected to forgo the new Porsche Active Suspension Management system for conventional springs and dampers, both in the interests of weight and race-car compatibility. They will be tuned more aggressively than those found on the standard 911, and provide the new car with a lower ride height. Grip is supplied by standard 18-inch rubber. The three-piece alloys of the prototype in our spy photos will be replaced by wheels designed exclusively for the new GT3.



As these photographs reveal, the new 911 GT3 receives a series of unique styling elements, including a curb-scraping air dam up front boasting three large ducts to direct cooling air to the radiators while also helping to reduce the marginal levels of front-end lift found on the standard 911. The rear gets an adjustable wing hung out over the engine and a reworked valance panel at the bottom of the bumper assembly, housing twin central exhaust outlets.

[ZAMIRZ]

That front spoiler looks exactly like what the 997 Cup Car has. The 997 is working out to be something real special, this car kicks the 996s ass big time!

[m325ix]

that car kicks ass! Those LMs look beautiful, think they come as a standard equipment?

[Porsche]

That's beautiful indeed.

[SilverPoly]

Wow, that thing is going to be sweet. Redline extended beyond 8000, oh my God!!

As the 997 approaches, I can already feel the 996 prices tumbling and tumbling.... hehe

[tangerine911e]

I want I want I want. I'm really starting to like the 997! Love those wheels.

Ash

[ScottKelly911]

is it just me or does the front of the 997 scream resemblances to the original 911 GT1 when it was supposed to look like a 993 before the 996 front facia. I love it!!!! The performance isn't too far off either
Scott aka Mouse

[GettinHeadStuds]

I don't want to like it...b/c I can't afford it.

Grrr...

[layzee]

Very cool, new car to lust after. I particularly like the wheels after the rather strange looking ones fitted to the 997 S.

[Porschekid962]

I like the twin center out exhausts. Why not an evolution of the standard GT3 engine but "grown up" to 3.8 litres thanks to the s model. seems logical enough. perhaps too many electronic drivers aides as well. psh im full of **** i know and you guys will make sure i realize that. i dont know, perhaps different perceptions of what a GT car is, perhaps an RS model would be nice to have, then you can check all those boxes.......
ac delete
active suspension delete
radio delete
power steering delete
power seats delete
RS door panels
and on and on and on

in all seriousness, can their active suspension system really be called active, i think adaptive would be a better term.

[Porschekid962]

what, you really think i would turn one away if i had the chance to have one? hahahaha yeah right i would be all over it, then strip it down, maybe even acid dip.....

i like the fact that this will drive 996 prices down a bit, dad has been looking into GT3's of this variety, hope the new car helps him get his dream.

[Bill Douglas]

Ummm, it's interesting they are using the new the "new" engine for the GT3. They must feel they have got the bugs sorted in the 996 engine.

[k9handler]

thank you for the post Jack...the new GT3 appears to be vey nice for sure! And the yellow paint with carbon trim is really starting to look better and better...I think I need a carbon sunroof panel for my car.

[Jamie Summers]

The rumours doing the rounds in the UK are that those shots aren't a GT3 at all, merely a Gemballa / Techart bodykit for the 997S (hence the BBS rims).

As ever, I saw it on the interent so it must be true !!!!!

[Eric Mckenna]

Those wheels are simply BBs racing type.
The I read that the wheels in the pic will be dropped fror the OE set from the factory.

I like the car myself. I really like the 996 GT3. great MOTOR in the 996 as it was the same ( Race tested ) as the GT1. we'll see how this new 997 powerplant holds up.

Eric

[rcm]

I can't believe I have to wait till mid 2005 just to place an order!

[trj911]

I'm not a fan of the center exhaust. I think it give the car a better look with 4 pipes, 2 on each side. This exhaust looks like the Bosxter.