In 1999, Porsche came out with a new car called the 996 GT3. This car was designed to make its owner feel like a racecar driver on the road. Sporting a 3.6-liter flat six engine that could reach 187 mph and a 0-60 mph time in under five seconds, the new Porsche shook the car world.
Since the initial GT3, Porsche has continued to make the model a go-to option for the track. Now however, Porsche has come out with a new version of the GT3. On Oct. 18, the Porsche 992.2 was born.
The new GT3 has a 4.0-liter natural aspirated boxer engine. It will reach a top speed of 195 mph with a manual transmission. The new transmission has an 8% shorter gear ratio, allowing the manual transmission to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. With a double clutch paddle shifter package, it can move from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. The choice of paddle shifting transmission does take a couple of miles per hour off the top speed. The new GT3 comes in two different variations, a normal sport version and a touring package. The touring package is the version where Porsche fans will see the most improvements.
Porsche has made some little, but meaningful, changes to the interior of the touring car. Porsche upgraded the seats by making them lightweight carbon-fiber folding bucket seats. Most Porsche fans will wonder why the seats need to fold, and the answer is because the GT3 touring now comes with rear seats. That is right, Porsche has made the everyday racecar that much more practical.
Another change made to the interior is the headrest. Previous GT3 touring cars had a headrest that was not suited for a crash helmet, causing helmet wearers to have to tilt their heads down. This all resulted in a highly uncomfortable lap around the track. Now though, Porsche has gotten clever, allowing those driving the touring car at the track to remove the padding on the headrest, which gives a space of about 5-7 cm for a helmet to go into, resulting in a comfortable lap. How German is that!
Another separate package with the touring car is the lightweight package, which comes with lighter door panels, magnesium wheels and a carbon fiber roof, making the car that much quicker.
While the 992.2 isn’t a major improvement from its predecessor, it is still an improvement. However, it is quite expensive. Those wishing to purchase the 2025 Porsche 992.2 GT3 touring car will need to write a check worth at least $222,500. While the price is not ideal, it is a great reminder of how great a car can be. In a world trying to turn to electric vehicles, Porsche has reminded us that fossil fuels are still fun and exciting.
by Ollie Hammonds
