Geneva Motor Show: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3: Comments

[William Maley]

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By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

March 4, 2013

Say hello to the current holder of the hardcore 911 title, the new 2014 911 GT3.

The new GT3 gets a wrath of changes to make it a formidable track weapon. For starters, the GT3's rear is 1.7 inches wider than a normal 911 and uses a large, fixed wing to help improve aerodynamics. Power comes in the form a 3.8L flat-six producing 475 horsepower and revs up to 9,000 RPMs. Handling the shifting duties is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, sorry no seven-speed manual option.

Performance numbers are as followed:

• 0-60 MPH: 3.3 Seconds
  
• Top Speed 195 MPH
  
• Lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife: Under 7:30 minutes
  

Also in the 2014 GT3 is a new rear-wheel steering system that uses two electro-mechanical actuators to move the rear wheels in the opposite or same direction as the front wheels (dependent on how fast you're going).

The new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 arrives in the U.S. in late 2013 with a pricetag of $131,350 (includes $950 destination charge).

Source: Porsche

Album: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3

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William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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Porsche Debuts Fifth Generation of the 911 GT3

World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show

Atlanta. The new Porsche 911 GT3 premieres this week at the Geneva International Motor Show. The completely-redeveloped fifth generation of the 911 GT3 occupies the top position among Porsche sports cars with naturally-aspirated engines. With an impressive lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife of under 7:30 minutes, the 2014 911 GT3 benefits from a new engine, transmission, body and chassis. The car now sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds on its way to a top track speed of 195 mph. The 2014 911 GT3 will go on sale in the United States late in 2013 and will be priced from $130,400, not including a $950 destination charge.

As a technical highlight, the 911 GT3 features the first active rear-wheel steering in a production Porsche, as well as optional full LED headlights. The new GT3 brings to everyday driving many of the properties of a sports car developed on the track, and preserves the highly emotional fun factor.

The powertrain of the new 911 GT3 is composed of a 3.8-liter boxer engine yielding 475 hp (125 hp/liter) featuring a 9,000 rpm redline and a specially developed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) which drives the rear wheels. The six-cylinder engine is based on the same engine as the 911 Carrera S, although they share only a few common parts. All other components, particularly the crankshaft and valve gear, were specially adapted or designed for the GT3. For instance, Porsche designed titanium connecting rods and forged pistons for this engine.

The Porsche dual-clutch transmission in this application has been specially developed for the 911 GT3: the characteristics are based directly on a sequential gearbox from racing, thereby providing further performance and dynamic advantages to the driver. Highlights include shorter gear ratios with closer spacing, even faster shifting, and shift paddles with shorter travel and increased tactile feedback, which now allow the driver to place the PDK in neutral simply by pulling on both paddles at the same time.

For the first time, Porsche is employing active rear wheel steering to achieve even higher steering precision and improved lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, improving stability and agility. Other new features that improve driving dynamics are an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and dynamic engine mounts. Contact with the road is made by new 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with center-locking hubs in place of conventional wheel bolts.

The 2014 911 GT3 is based on the light yet stiff body of the current generation 911 Carrera, which employs a hybrid steel and aluminum construction; however, it comes with unique front and rear parts specific to the GT3. In addition, the 911 GT3 is 1.7 inches wider than a 911 Carrera S in the rear. Another distinctive feature is the large, fixed rear wing, which contributes to the exemplary aerodynamics.

By combining low air resistance with even more power, the 2014 911 GT3 sets new performance standards. At full acceleration from standstill, the 60 mph mark is reached after just 3.3 seconds, and on the track 124 mph is reached in less than twelve seconds.

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[G. David Felt]

I know some will love this, but their body language is looking so dated to me. The spec's on this car are impressive, but does not give me the WOW factor as to me it looks like every other porsche of the last 20 years.

[Robert Hall]

Love it...I love the 911's evolutionary styling. It really stands out amidst today's sports cars. I'd love to have access to one of these for a long weekend on some twisty backroads.

[Camino LS6]

Hmm, not thrilled with paddle shifters.