Porsche 911 992 GT3

The long-awaited arrival of the 911 992 GT3 means fanfare for the speedo boys wishing to have a real, no-nonsense sports car with a real, no-nonsense performance speedo boys will get hooked for more. Let's get to know the return of Porsche's track toy hero and why we are all jealous to drive one.

2022 Porsche 911 GT3

With an introductory price of 170,969 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new 911 GT3 is the finest example of a real, no-nonsense sports car that caters to all needs speedo boys demand and for this new model, it's got everything; lightweight design, a choice of a manual or PDK, and the same spartan driving manners carried from its predecessors. This is the one for them.

Checking out on the design, the 911 GT3 is similar to the normal 911 992 but the aero upgrades look like it got injected by some kind of performance-enhancing drug, leaving its lightweight design a muscular stance worth punching to the face. While aerodynamics is king for the GT3, there's something fishy about the front design because it looks like a Nissan Fairlady Z Z33 that has been modified at the Opera House. The Opera Z33 RS, remember? Well, you get the point.

On the inside, it works like a normal 911 but it's got sports seats and some rollbars on it, meaning it's all work and all play on the road and on the track if you know what I mean.

Unlike most of the turbocharged 911 models, from normal to Turbo, the 911 GT3 prefers to go old-school with the naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six engine that produces 510PS of power and 470Nm of torque, which is nice, and it can be mated to either a speedo boy favorite 6-speed MT or a quick 7-speed PDK, which lets the GT3 accelerate from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the previous model.

The 911 GT3 is famed for its spartan driving manners and the new model features improved dynamics that will deliver more combos than any of your favorite female fighters from your favorite fighting game. It hurts but it pays to get hurt while getting hooked by its improved dynamics. It's got a double-wishbone front axle for the first time in a sports car like this, allowing the 911 GT3 to behave like a racecar it draws inspiration from. It also has a five-link rear axle, larger brakes, and extensive use of lightweight materials, among many others. With such improvements, it's no wonder why the new model lapped the monstrous Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:59.927 minutes, which is an improvement from the previous GT3.

And there you have it. The all-new 911 GT3 is the real, no-nonsense Porsche that speedo boys are ready and willing to drive without explanations and the way it goes makes us jealous to drive one someday.

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

Forza Horizon 4: Drive without explanations

If you happen to pick up your 991.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS from the Forzathon prize shop before the timer runs out, then congratulations. You get to keep the most hardcore 911 ever made to satisfy your craving for driving just for the fun of it.



I have to say that the 911 GT3 RS is a car that deserves to be driven without explanations like when you want to pull a joke with no explanations unless someone wants to explain about it but if you're like the next guy who wants to explain your silly little joke by now, then time for a refresher; the 991.2-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RS features a much improved racing chassis and lightweight construction, drawing inspiration from its ultimate variant, the GT2 RS. The Weissach package features carbon fibre body and interior parts, magnesium wheels, and a stiffer suspension setting. The naturally-aspirated 4.0L boxer-6 engine has been upgraded to produce 20HP more than the previous model so now it delivers 520HP of power and while mated to an improved 7-speed PDK, it delivers an improved top speed of 312kph. It went round the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:56.4.



How's that for explanation? Anyway, although the 911 GT3 RS is a proven track toy in its own right, what would happen when I take Porsche's track toy on the winter wonderland? It sounds like a challenge and being a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car, I may find it to be difficult to survive through icy conditions and while facing against beefed-up exotics in the snow, well, let's find out as we roll the clip without explanations.





Man, facing exotics in the snow really is fierce especially when I'm driving a hardcore sportscar like the 911 GT3 RS but it barely managed to survive the snow and win anyway. Still, I have to say that the 911 GT3 RS is all about being as thrilling as a supercar and while this is still essentially a sportscar that brimming with testosterone and muscle, it never fails to impress drivers by delivering a much thrilling driving experience with no explanations. Need to explain more? No? Good, so have fun with your new Porsche!

Forza Motorsport 7: Drive without explanations

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the hottest, hardest, tightest, and the most exotic 911 of them all that deserves no explanations because once you drive it, you don't need to explain how much of a car this stripped-out sportscar can do because while it's still a chuckable sportscar, the way it behaves is pretty much like a supercar.





I am one of the many people who fell in love with the GT3 RS because this stripped-out beauty delivers some spartan driving manners while taking advantage of its aerodynamics and lightness that makes it go fast everywhere. As times change, is there any way the GT3 RS needs to improve? A lot, perhaps, and this is where its minor change comes into view.



This is the minor change in question. I picked this car up from this month's content update and before taking this new version out for a spin, let's have a little talk about the 911 GT3 RS' minor change. The 991-spec GT3 RS is a no holds barred 911 that combines supercar-level dynamics with sportscar-like packaging and with the latest update, the new model pushes its envelope to deliver the ultimate driving experience Porsche enthusiasts are onto it now.

The naturally-aspirated 4.0L boxer-6 engine has been upgraded to produce 20HP more than the previous model so now it delivers 520HP of power and while mated to an improved 7-speed PDK, it delivers an improved top speed of 312kph. Focusing mostly on its dynamics, the new model features a much improved racing chassis and lightweight construction, drawing inspiration from its ultimate variant, the GT2 RS. The Weissach package features carbon fibre body and interior parts, magnesium wheels, and a stiffer suspension setting.

It went round the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:56.4, making it the third production Porsche to crush the seven-minute barrier.



Sure, it maybe short on power compared to the ultimate 911, the GT2 RS, but the GT3 RS is all making drivers feeling the click between them and the car because as a car made by purists for purists, sort of, the GT3 RS ticks all the right boxes what a sports car should. I know, it's not a good-looking car, consider the crazy looking design that makes it more annoying when parked at the opera house, but as a proper, no holds barred sportscar, when you get behind the wheel, all you have to do is drive without explanations, like doing jokes without explanations to the audience, unless there's someone going to meddle your affairs.





Having enjoyed the aspects of the GT3 RS, I decided to find out if the latest minor change of the GT3 RS is better than the previous model, I went to the Top Gear Track and find out on my own terms. Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

991.2 GT3 RS - 1:17.976
991 GT3 RS - 1:18.056

So, what do we have here? Although the new model is more powerful and more aerodynamic than the previous model, it lapped almost a second quicker, meaning that it's too close to call. I know that it lapped better at the Nurburgring compared to the old model, but at times like these, I think that's good enough to see how much this car has improved. Just imagine what if The Stig managed to lap this new version, I bet it would be as close as it gets.



The GT3 RS is all about checks and balances that makes this sports car great at all sides of the world. Sure, the GT2 RS is all about being the supreme being in the sports car realm but the GT3 RS is more of a satisfying feast that works like it was meant to be. It really is the gold standard for lightweight sportscars that is free from the extra baggage of its life to deliver the ideal freedom drivers want and I want more reasons to drive this car, even if it means of breaking the "no explanation" rule, I dare say.

Go ahead, drive the new 911 GT3 RS on Forza Motorsport 7 right now. You are more than welcomed to try it for a change.

Forza Horizon 3: Driving Miss Sally

Oh yeah, since Cars 3 is just around us, this week's Forzathon stars the car that inspired Sally from the movie, the 996-spec Porsche 911, in GT3 guise for the driver who demands more 911s like this.



Designed for the traditionalists, the 996-spec Porsche 911 GT3 balances its track-honed capabilities with practicality fit for normal use, although practicality isn't best sums it up for the GT3. Under the hood lies the legendary 3.6L flat-six engine producing 380HP of power and 285lb-ft of torque while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It does 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds and onwards to 190mph (306kph). Contributing to this 911 GT3 is weight-saving measures resulted to its 3,043lbs of weight as well as streamlining of the car's body that provides better aerodynamics precise enough to cool its brakes.



Okay, enough rambling about the 996-spec 911 GT3 right now, let's take it to Hot Wheels Thrilltopia to see if this is a great Porsche 911 during the time Bush ruined the world or else I should start calling it Sally. You know, from Cars.



With that performance like this, I should rule out calling you Sally because you really are one of the best Porsches ever made from the last decade.

Forza Horizon 3: The Easter Surprise

Over the Easter Weekend, and while in a middle of celebrating Porsche's return to the world of Forza, got this ultra-rare Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 during the Easter weekend Forzathon event and even though today's 911 GT3 RS is a real corker for a track toy, this manual tranny-powered 997 GT3 RS remains a real corker for the purists everywhere and I couldn't disagree more.

Limited to 600 units worldwide, the ultimate GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0L flat-six engine producing 500HP of power, making this the most powerful naturally-aspirated flat-six engine ever made. It was powered by a 6-speed manual gearbox to keep the purists happy to drive wherever they go but it's not just the performance the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is aftering, it's the track-honed precision that stands out from the rest and with the extensive use of lightweight materials as well as stripping out unnecessary materials such as the rear seat, it weighs 1,360kg with a full tank fo fuel, resulting to its power-to-weight ratio of 3kg/HP. It was the first production Porsche to come with front air deflection vanes, which adds downforce on the front axle and with the combination of the large fixed rear wing as well as other aerodynamic upgrades, it can exert an additional 190kg of force.

No time to chat more about this car because I am eager enough to try this rare Porsche out for a spin!



Nothing said it's as sweet as a Kinder Egg Surprise. He he he... Speaking of which, there are more Porsche cars waiting on future Forzathon events this month. Stay tuned.

Forza Horizon 3: Himmel Mancheese

In case you never know, Porsche returns to the world of Forza and with their new six-year partnership agreement, looks like we'll be seeing Porsches in future installments and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Since Porsche was freed from EA exclusivity, most games are willing and able to feature Stuttgart's finest not just for action racing but for racing simulation to demonstrate Porsche's true capabilities and for the Forza franchise, this is a welcoming feat.



The opening salvo of Porsche's return to Forza is the latest 911 (991) GT3 RS, as seen on Forza Horizon 3's Porsche Car Pack of April. This is known to be one of the fastest track cars Porsche ever made and finally, the 911 everyone wants to get on the groove, especially in the Land Down Under.



The GT3 is the stripped-out model that took Porsche decades of German engineering that brought into this and like its normal model, the 911 GT3 provides some stylish design and spartan driving manners with its organic bodywork, "mild" driving feel, and a decade-old philosophy. The GT3 RS model pushes the GT3 to the extreme by dropping 10kg of weight from the normal GT3, increase the flat-6 engine's size from 3.8 to four liters, and feature unique aerodynamics that makes the track weapon more potent on the racetrack and because it lapped the Nurburgring in under seven minutes and 20 seconds, it's surprisingly faster than the Porsche Carrera GT supercar of 2003.

I miss the 991 911 Turbo from the previous installments but to me, the handling is a bit harsh and mild for a high-powered 911 and now, with the 911 GT3 RS, although it's not as powerful as the Turbo, the handling is really magic to me and finally, some "himmel mancheese" to get our mouth on. This is definitely the 911 everyone's wanting for, although the PDK is out of context for the track toy, and driving the 991 911 GT3 RS is by no means the actual representation of a childhood memory where someone is playing Ridge Racer V and their favorite car was the Himmel EO. This is like that RRV favorite because like that, its stylish design and spartan driving manners makes them very hard to resist such temptation and who can blame them?

Speaking of which, this car got featured in The Grand Tour where Jeremy Clarkson compares it with this...





This is the BMW M4 GTS which I found this on FH3's Alpinestars Car Pack. Like the GT3 RS, this is a stripped-out version of the BMW M4 that rids of everything that doesn't help with driving such as a radio of course and some rear seats, add some unique aerodynamics inspired from its DTM racing champion, and to top it all, arm the six-cylinder in-line turbo engine with water injection to deliver 500HP of power. All sounds great but it's about eight seconds slower than the 911 GT3 RS on the Nurburgring and in The Grand Tour's Eboladrome, two seconds slower than the GT3 RS as well.



Hey, since these two are featured in the show and compared, how about I can compare these two at the only place in Byron Bay I know? How about, you guessed it, The Grand Tour Sprint? Yep, the sprint track with the words "Grand Tour" on it. Sounds catchy but let's get on with it.



And now, the results...

2016 BMW M4 GTS (493hp/442ft-lb/3,329lb/51%/2,979cc/S1 849) - 2:27.381
2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (493hp/339ft-lb/3,131lb/39%/3,996cc/S2 929) - 2:18.906

Hey, The Grand Tour is right about the M4 GTS slower than the GT3 RS. Although I like the way BMW made their response against the track-focused Porsche, they really made a hash of it and there's a metaphor for this one but I don't know what that is.





Feeling pleased about the 911 GT3 RS, I did something special for this Porsche and yes, you get the point. With the design ready, the 911 GT3 RS is ready to take on other 911 drivers in the city for a little cars, coffee, and a race.





Although it lost the comparo, the M4 GTS doesn't want to be left behind so I made a little familiar design for this car and while the 911 GT3 RS is busy wowing the other 911 cars, the M4 GTS will have to hang out with the other city delinquents. Poor girl...



That, ladies and gentlemen, is what you called the Himmel Mancheese.

Porsche 911 991 GT3

One day, I was heading to the nearest EO Executive Optical at some mall in Alabang for some eye checkups. Yes. Some eye checkups because as we know, we all need eye checkups every year. Several minutes later, the eye doctor told me to pick some glasses. Of course, wearing normal glasses will make everyone think you're geek or a nerd perhaps sunglasses will make you look cool. Science tells us that it takes 7 pairs of sunglasses to make the wearer not seeing any light at all. Well, it's I Can Do Science Me stuff you know. After choosing the glasses of my choice, I had to pay a very expensive price and then left EO.

Anyway, enough about the whole eyeglasses stuff because what I'm going to tell you about today's treat. If this was Tekken, it would be Xiaoyu. If this was Ridge Racer, it's the Himmel EO. If this is iDOLM@STER, it would be Azusa Miura. Except this isn't but it's fairly close to those. Richard Hammond, eat your heart out.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3

This, I believe, is the brand new 911 GT3. The ultimate version of what Richard Hammond claims to be the perfect car, although it's an agreement for Porsche fans everywhere. The GT3 is the stripped-out model that took Porsche decades of German engineering that brought into this and like its normal model, the 911 GT3 provides some stylish design and spartan driving manners. Some say that with its organic bodywork, "mild" driving feel, and a decade-old philosophy, the brand new GT3 sure knows how to rack up the points on track and on the road. Running in all walks of life, the brand new 911 GT3 provides timeless pleasure and always sing to the sound of speed unlike any other.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3

Well, don't get to excited about this one because there are a couple of chinks behind this knight in shining armor and to explain what I'm on about, I want you to visualize something a bit more...BRAINIAC-ish. Think about, putting a figure of Xiaoyu on the microwave however that figure I just mentioned is not yet on sale until this fall so for a substitute...how about...a figure of Azusa Miura instead? Of course, as Richard Hammond might say before this; "STOP! The following experiment is dangerous. Do not try this at home. No really, DON'T!". Since PVC is another form of plastic, a certain Brainiac would need something to blow this off such as CD, light bulb, christmas lights, alcohol, anything metal and then he closed the door of the oven.

Imagine you are in a drag race between the new GT3 against the microwave waiting to explode. Which is faster? Well, as the GT3 and the oven starts, it starts. The all new GT3, it does 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds, faster than the old one, and top speed...315kph, 3kph more than the old. I suspect that it should have more firepower and more speed thanks to its 3.8L flat-6 engine mated with a 7-speed PDK gearbox but just before it reaches 0-100mph, the microwave explodes, blowing poor little Miura-san alongside with it.

It maybe not quite quick enough to outrun an exploding microwave oven but what else does it do for the new GT3? Like I was saying, the new GT3, being a stripped-out 911 for track days, has some spartan driving manners so it will take some manners mastering the grip of this German engineering beauty. Mild driving feel? Yes. Very. It maybe another ugly machine for those who doesn't like Porsches but it's still renowned for the exuberance it brings to anyone who owns one.

Thing is though, you might like the 9,000rpm rev-limit because reaching through here is the exact moment when a microwave full of junk explodes without warning. If a Brainiac drives one, it would be proper comedy to abuse such a German sportscar with cutting-edge technology. However, there's just one thing I'm not particularly fond of and it's the 7-speed PDK because past 911 GT3 models are rigged with manuals because shifting with these is the ultimate expression of freedom as an enthusiasts but for the new one, it's flappy paddle or nothing. The same thing happened to the brand-new hot Renault Clio. The manual gearbox has been removed in favor for the rather tasteless dual-clutch gearbox but as they say, "Responsibility Demands Sacrifice" because making it faster demands a lot of sacrifice.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 interior

In the new GT3 though, sacrificing a manual gearbox in favor of a new kind of PDK is no ordinary task because this one shifts as low as 100 milliseconds in "Race Track" mode. With close-ratios, this PDK makes the GT3 feel as fast as thoroughbred supercars and shifting through the paddles is like trying blow more microwaves one by one by one. Brainy!

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 interior

So, the verdict. Although, the new GT3 lost some of the things that "purists" love but it's still a fast one. It's still the ultimate version as we know it even if it has a bit of a problems with it and being lost by an exploding microwave oven with lots of flammable stuff. If Richard Hammond drove this one, I'm awaiting his reaction about the new model's double clutch, its new cutting-edge technology, its mild driving feel, and the organic bodyline that has been around since the beginning of time itself. But still, I'm not willing to have one, even though with an ultra-expensive 137,303 Euro pricing because for me, it's still the kind of sportscar that took me trips to Executive Optical.

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG