Porsche 911 991 GT3 3.8 (2013-2015)

Date of unveil by Porsche AG: March 4, 2013
Premiere: March 5, 2013 Geneva Motor Show
World market launch: August 2013

Technical specification and comparison

Modification	No. of seats	Gearbox	Engine	kW	lb-ft	Nm	60 mph	100 km/h	160 km/h	200 km/h	mph	km/h	kg	lb	W/lb	W/kg	Nord- schleife
2013 911 991 GT3	2	PDK 7-speed	3.8B6	350	324	440	3.3 sec.	3.5 sec.	7.5 sec.	11.4 sec.	196	315	1430	3153	111	245	7:25
2011 911 991 Carrera S WLS	4	PDK 7-speed	3.8B6	316	324	440	*3.8 sec.	*4.0 sec.			190	306	1415	3120	101	223
2011 911 997 GT3 RS 4.0	2	manual, 6-speed	4.0B6	368	338	460	3.8 sec.	3.9 sec.		11.9 sec.	193	310	1360	2998	123	271	7:27
2009 911 997 GT3 3.8	2	manual, 6-speed	3.8B6	320	316	430	3.9 sec.	4.1 sec.		12.3 sec.	194	312	1395	3075	104	229

In the first column is year of introduction, add +1 for model year. * with Launch Control.

Before the production of the 991 GT3 started, 14.145 GT3 cars of 996 and 997 generations were made between 1999-2012.

The many questions

The 991 GT3 came with more questions than answers. Why is the "lightweight 911" so heavy? Why isn't the manual gearbox available? Will it be available for the RS? Why does it have 20" wheels, while it is proven that 18" is optimal for racing use.

Engine

The new 3.8-litre GT3 engine is a technological marvel. As there are rules and therefore restrictions for the racing cars, the street-legal 991 GT3 has more power than the 991 GT3 Cup. Both have 3.8-litre engines, but the racing variant has 338 kW compared to the street verson's 350 kW. The street engine has a rev limitter set 500 revolutions higher, at 9000 rpm instead of 8500 rpm in the 991 GT3 Cup. Although not as powerful, the racing version is 255 kg/562 lb lighter.

Engine problem on early cars

Porsche press release from March 19, 2014, said the engines of the first 785 produced 991 GT3 will be replaced by the Porsche Centres. They found the engine could be damaged by the loosened screw joint on the connecting rod, which damaged the crankcase and led to leakage of oil which ignited.

Gearbox

Even though the GT3 version of the PDK gearbox is 2 kg / 4 lb lighter than the unit in the 911 Carrera, the car is suffering 18 kg / 40 lb weight increase due to the PDK. The PDK comes with a "paddle-neutral" feature. If the driver pulls both shift paddles simultaneously, both clutches are opened and the flow of power from engine to real wheels is cut off. The driver might need this to neutralise the car when it is understeering. Once both shift paddles are released, the clutch engages again. Not as natural as it is with manual gearbox, but aiming in direction.

Tyres

The 991 GT3 is equipped with Dunlop Sport Maxx Race tyres, a new alternative to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres. The sizes are 245/35 ZR20 (91Y) N0 and 305/30 ZR20 (103Y) XL N0.

Red is the right colour for a quick car© Porsche

Air intake scoop. A ram-air intake system uses car's speed to force more air into the engine and power is increased.© Porsche

You can't see the engine in the 991 cars© Porsche

The exhaust flaps can be adjusted by pressing the button. When the engine is started, the exhaust is in the "going to theatre"-mode, but after the press on the button, the obstacles are removed, the engine makes the noise the GT3 has to make and the torque is increased up to 35 Nm / 26 lb-ft in the 3000-4000 rpm range.© Porsche

In addition to aluminium front fenders, trunk lid and doors (like on 991 Carrera), the roof panel is of aluminium, too© Porsche

The rear end is 44 mm wider than on 991 Carrera (both rear wings are 22 mm wider)© Porsche

Adjustable rear wing has been with GT3 since 1999© Porsche

License plate lights are also Light Emitting Diodes© Porsche

Standard heavy-duty brakes can be spotted by the red calipers. Discs are 380 mm front and rear. PCCB is optional. The wheels are platinum-coloured as standard, but can optionally be ordered in silver.© Porsche

The rear axle is equipped with the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) as standard. The system consists of an electronically controlled, fully variable locking rear differential and selective braking interventions at the rear wheels.© Porsche

Fuel tank capacity is 64 liters. A 90 L tank is a no-cost option. This trick is probably made to get the car's official weight down. © Porsche

Optional Martini livery from Porsche Tequipment© Porsche

Optional liveries on the sides and over the car © Porsche

Full LED headlamps are optional (xenon lamps are standard)© Porsche

LED headlamps with daytime driving lights on© Porsche

Xenon headlamp with optional cornering lamp function PDLS (Porsche Dynamic Light System), the same lamp in black design and the optional LED headlamp© Porsche AG

991 GT3 is 30 mm / 1.2" lower than the 991 Carrera© Porsche

Yeah, OK, let's take it to the track, even though the clutch pedal is missing© Porsche

The cabin is a bit too busy for a track day car© Porsche

The engine rev limitter is set at 9000 rpm - nice! The titanium-coloured tachometer is equipped with upshift indicator.© Porsche

If the car is already as heavy as it is, the rear seats would become handy if the Clubsport package is not specified© Porsche

Clubsport kit and folding bucket seats with integrated airbags. The one-piece Carrera GT bucket seats are not available because they do not have airbags in them. © Porsche

Standard sport plus seats. Optionally available are the adaptive sport seats and bucket seats. The standard seats have electrical backrest and height adjustment, fore/aft is manual.© Porsche

Touchscreen with MP3-compatible CD-player, universal audio interface and 4 speakers are standard, navigation module optional. The AC system has automatic air recirculation control with air quality sensor.© Porsche

In Race Track mode the upshifts occur at higher engine speeds. The PSM includes ABS, ESC Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control. © Porsche

The Clubsport package is available at no extra cost when the bucket seats are bought. The CS package comprises a roll cage behind the seats, a 6-point racing harness supplied ready to install on the driver’s side (passenger side at extra cost), a ready-to-install fire extinguisher with mounting bracket and preparation for battery master switch. Battery master switch and the front part of the roll cage (which is not street legal in some countries) are available from Porsche Motorsport.© Porsche

991 has the first GT3 engine with direct petrol injection. Two fuel pumps generate a system pressure of up to 200 bar. The standard equipment now includes a more advanced generation of the previously optional dynamic engine mounts. They are filled with an enclosed liquid with magnetic particles, which changes in viscosity in the presence of an electric field. © Porsche

The active rear wheel steering system comprises two electro-mechanical actuators which allow the steering angle of the rear wheels to be varied by up to 1.5 degrees. At speeds of up to 50 kmh / 31 mph, the system steers the rear wheels into the opposite direction of the front wheels, between 50-80 kmh / 31-50 mph, the rear wheels are not steered and at speeds above 80 kmh / 50 mph, the system steers the rear wheels parallel to the front wheels, so the car can easily change lane going sideways. © Porsche

Standard colours all look very good: white, Racing Yellow, Guards Red / Indischrot (Indian red in German) and deep non-metallic black. Metallic colours are optionally available, but they make the car look like luxury car and not so much as a race car. Some classic special order non-metallic colours would also be stunning, like the Mexican Blue or the 997 GT3 RS green or orange...© Porsche

2013 March 4. Evo Magazine editor Jethro Bovingdon interviews Porsche engineer and High Performance Cars manager, Andreas Preuninger

2013 March 5. Geneva Motor Show, 991 GT3 & GT3 Cup launch. Persons featured in the video include Andreas Preuninger, Jacky Ickx and Michael Mauer (Director Porsche Style).

Sales catalogue

PDF 2013/03 911 GT3 (24 MB)

Search for a 991 GT3 or continue to 991 GT3 RS 4.0 or to 991 GT3 4.0

Anniversaries: Aug, 29 – 52nd birthday of the 906 (1965); Sep, 03 – 142nd birthday anniversary of Ferdinand Porsche (1875); Sep, 08 – 49th birthday of the 909 (1968); Sep, 09 – 24th birthday of the 911 993 (1993); Sep, 11 – 48th birthday of the 914 (1969)