Looking Back at 25 Years of the Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche is about to introduce the 992.2-generation 911 GT3, which is expected to build on the outgoing model with more power, updated styling, and new chassis technology. When it lands, it will be the latest in an illustrious line of GT3-badged 911s that started 25 years ago with the 996-generation model. Here’s a quick rundown of the generations that led to this moment.

The 996-generation GT3

The idea of making a racing-derived 911 wasn’t new: the Carrera 2.7 RS unveiled in 1972 stands out as an early example of Porsche bringing track-bred technology to showrooms. However, the GT3 designation didn’t appear on a street-legal 911 until 1999, when the 996-generation model made its debut in Europe.

Porsche showed the world what the 911 GT3 was capable of by letting Walter Rӧhrl loose in it on the Nürburgring. The rally legend set a time of 7:56.33, which made the 911 GT3 one of the first regular-production cars to lap the grueling track in under eight minutes. Clearly, the GT3 didn’t merely denote an appearance package. In addition to a body kit, the model gained a specific suspension system, bigger brakes, and a limited-slip differential. Power came from a Hans Mezger-designed 3.6-liter flat-six rated at about 355 horsepower.

American enthusiasts got their first taste of the 911 GT3 when the updated model (called 996.2 internally) made its debut for 2004. It benefited from a 381-horsepower evolution of the flat-six fitted with lighter pistons and lighter valves, among other updates, and Porsche made carbon-ceramic brakes optional.

The 997-generation GT3

By the time production of the 996-generation 911 ended, Porsche knew they had a winner on their hands in the GT3. The model had been as well received by enthusiasts around the world as the original Turbo.

The 997-generation GT3 made its debut in 2006 with a 3.6-liter flat-six rated at 415 horsepower. Rear-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual transmission remained standard, though gears two through six had a shorter ratio and Porsche made the shifter throws 15 percent shorter. The brand also started piling on tech: the second-generation GT3 came standard with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, electronic traction control, and a “SPORT” button that made the traction control system more permissive. Aluminum parts, including the doors and the trunk lid, offset the weight added by the extra equipment.

For 2010, Porsche proudly bucked the downsizing trend by updating the GT3 with a 3.8-liter flat-six rated at 435 horsepower. The mid-cycle update also brought center-locking wheels and, crucially, an optional front-axle lift system that made the coupe more convenient to drive off the track. Flat-out performance remained the focus: the 997.2 GT3 lapped the Nürburgring in 7:40, or 16 seconds faster than the original.

The 991-generation GT3

Porsche launched the third-generation 911 GT3 for 2014. Based on the 991-generation car, the new model brought with it a controversial change: it ditched the six-speed stick in favor of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Porsche argued that the GT3’s mission was to set the fastest possible lap time; cast in this light, the automatic made sense because it could shift gears in less than 100 milliseconds. If you can beat that with a stick, have a friend film you and send us the video. The seven-speed was an evolution of the unit available on the Carrera and Turbo variants modified with specific ratios and lighter gears.

The 991-generation GT3 relied more extensively on technology than its predecessor. Its 475-horsepower, 3.8-liter flat-six featured direct injection, it came standard with a rear-wheel steering system, and it benefited from considerably more downforce than the 997-generation model. While some purists inevitably scoffed at the idea of an automatic GT3 with four steerable wheels, the numbers spoke for themselves: the new model lapped the ‘Ring in 7:25, a 15-second improvement over the outgoing car.

Staying true to tradition, Porsche rolled out numerous improvements as part of a mid-cycle update. The 997.2-generation GT3 received a 4.0-liter flat-six rated at 500 horsepower, 20% more downforce thanks in part to a redesigned front end, and an optional Touring Package that made the model more road-friendly. Caving to popular demand, Porsche also re-introduced the six-speed manual as a no-cost option.

The 992-generation GT3

In its quickest configuration, the 992-generation 911 GT3 laps the Nürburgring in 6:59.93 (or 6:55.34 if you’re using the 12.8-mile track as a reference point). It’s about a minute quicker than the original model.

While that’s a significant achievement, nearly every ingredient in the recipe has changed over the past quarter of a century. Launched for 2022, the current-generation car features a racing-inspired double-wishbone front axle, an adjustable swan-neck rear wing, and numerous weight-saving technologies. Its 502-horsepower, 4.0-liter flat-six uses individual throttle bodies as well as a lighter rotating assembly.

Buyers concerned with shaving every split second off their lap time can order the 911 GT3 with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. For the rest, there’s a six-speed stick offered as a no-cost option.