Porsche Just Built the Open-Top GT3 We Never Knew We Needed
The 911 GT3 S/C pairs a 510 PS, 9,000 rpm naturally aspirated engine with a fully automatic soft top — and weighs just 1,497 kg. Stuttgart has officially lost its mind. In the best possible way.
For decades, a certain kind of Porsche purist has lived with a nagging tension. They want the GT3 — the naturally aspirated flat-six, the screaming top end, the track-tuned chassis, the manual gearbox — but they also want the wind in their hair. Until today, those two desires were fundamentally incompatible. You either got a roof and a GT3, or you got a cabriolet and… something else. Porsche has now solved the problem with a car called the 911 GT3 S/C, and the solution is so elegant it makes you wonder why it took this long.
The Formula: GT3 Engine, S/T Body, Drop-Top Freedom
The GT3 S/C is not a cobbled-together compromise. It is a precisely engineered combination of the best parts Porsche already makes. The powertrain is the full-fat 4.0-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder from the 911 GT3, producing 375 kW (510 PS) and 450 Nm of torque, revised with more aggressive camshafts carried over from the GT3 RS and flow-optimised throttle bodies that make the upper rev range even more responsive. It revs to 9,000 rpm. It is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual sports transmission — no PDK option, full stop.
The body structure borrows liberally from the 911 S/T — one of Porsche’s most obsessive lightweight exercises in recent memory. The bonnet, wings, and doors are all carbon fibre. The anti-roll bars and shear plate: carbon fibre. The wheels are magnesium centre-locks, 20 inches at the front and 21 at the rear, saving around nine kilograms of rotating mass compared to aluminium. The brakes are the optional-on-most-Porsches Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system — here, it is standard equipment, and it trims over 20 kg versus cast iron rotors.
Even the lithium-ion battery is a compact 40 Ah unit, saving four kilograms over a conventional unit. Every gram was interrogated.
“The emotive powertrain of the 911 GT3 comes into its own even more emphatically when driving with the roof down on winding country roads.”
— Frank Moser, Head of 911 and 718 Model Series
The Weight Number That Should Be Impossible
Here is the number that stops you cold: 1,497 kilograms. That is the kerb weight of the 911 GT3 S/C — with a fully automatic, magnesium-ribbed, electrically operated cabriolet roof. To put that in context, Porsche notes it is only approximately 30 kg more than the 991-generation 911 Speedster, which had a manually operated cover and no proper roof at all.
The roof itself is an engineering story in its own right. Porsche equipped it with magnesium ribs — an automotive first for a production soft top — allowing the fabric to stretch in an uninterrupted arc from windscreen to stowage lid when closed, mimicking the clean flyline of the Coupé. There are no visible structural interruptions beneath the fabric. The hydraulic actuators are featherweight, enabling the top to open or close in approximately 12 seconds, at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
An integrated electric wind deflector, operable at up to 120 km/h, ensures the cabin remains liveable at higher speeds. This is not a car that asks you to choose between performance and practicality — it is designed to deliver both simultaneously.
A GT3 With a Double Wishbone Front End — In a Convertible
GT Cars chief Andreas Preuninger made particular note of one technical detail that no open-top 911 has ever carried before: the double wishbone front axle from the 911 GT3. Paired with the car’s exceptionally sticky tyres (255/35 ZR 20 front, 315/30 ZR 21 rear, same spec as the fixed-head GT3) and the S/T-derived lightweight construction, the chassis setup mirrors that of the 911 GT3 with Touring Package — which is to say, deeply serious and deeply engaging.
“For the first time, the 911 GT3 S/C uses the double wishbone front axle on an open-top 911… the car offers driving pleasure on winding roads that was previously virtually unheard of in an open-top car.”
— Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars
Two Seats, No Apologies
The GT3 S/C is a pure two-seater — the only open-top 911 in the current range with that distinction. The rear cabin houses a lightweight storage box (available as an accessory, 80-litre capacity, 10 kg, leather-trimmed). Standard seats are the four-way adjustable Sports Seats Plus; optionally, you can specify full carbon fibre bucket seats with folding backrests, integrated thorax airbags, and electrically adjustable height. The steering wheel is perforated leather. There is a rotary ignition switch to the left of the column, as God and Ferdinand Piëch intended.
The digital instrument cluster features a ‘Track Screen’ mode that strips the display down to tyre, oil, coolant, and fuel data. Shift lights bracket the rev counter. The display can be rotated to position the 9,000 rpm redline at the 12 o’clock mark — a feature so theatrical it belongs on a racing car, which is precisely the point.
The Street Style Package: Unapologetic Personalization
For those who want their GT3 S/C to announce itself before the engine does, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offers the Street Style Package. This brings Pyro Red graphics on the front wings and ‘PORSCHE’ lettering along the flanks, tinted HD-Matrix headlights, a four-tone braided leather interior in Slate Grey, Guards Red, Magnesium Grey, and Kalahari, and a wood gear knob with the shift pattern picked out in Pyro Red. It is deliberately, joyfully extroverted.
GT3 S/C at a glance
- 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six, 510 PS, 9,000 rpm redline
- Six-speed manual transmission only — no PDK
- 1,497 kg kerb weight with fully automatic soft top
- Carbon fibre bonnet, wings, and doors from the 911 S/T
- Magnesium centre-lock wheels and magnesium cabriolet roof ribs
- PCCB ceramic brakes standard
- Double wishbone front axle — a first for an open-top 911
- 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds; top speed 313 km/h
- Not a limited edition — available to order now
Why This Matters
There’s a philosophical argument buried inside the GT3 S/C’s existence. Porsche spent years — decades, really — treating the GT3 as a fixed-roof proposition, the convertible world as something separate and softer. The Speedster was the rare exception, always limited, always precious, always a little bit of a collector’s artifact rather than a driver’s tool.
The GT3 S/C changes that calculus. It is not a limited edition. It is not a commemorative model. It is a production car that you can order today, that costs less precious weight than you’d ever believe possible, and that delivers the full GT3 experience — the engine note, the tactile gearshift, the front axle communication — amplified by the absence of a roof above your head on a mountain road at the limit.
Porsche has been making great convertibles for a long time. They have been making great GT3s for a long time. That it took until 2026 to combine the two properly is almost beside the point. What matters is that they’ve done it, done it right, and done it without compromise.
The 911 GT3 S/C is available to order now.
The Press Release
14/04/2026
The Porsche GT family welcomes a particularly exciting new member. The 911 GT3 S/C allows fans of the high-revving boxer engine to enjoy its unique naturally aspirated sound even without a fixed roof. It combines a range of ‘driver’s car’ qualities that have already delighted customers of the limited-edition 911 Speedster and 911 S/T models.
For the first time, Porsche is introducing a 911 GT3 with a fully automatic convertible roof. The 911 GT3 S/C, designed especially with driving pleasure in mind, combines the lightweight design of the 911 S/T with the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre boxer engine of the 911 GT3, producing 375 kW (510 PS) and 450 Nm of torque. The distinctive wings and doors of the 911 S/T in combination with the black windscreen surround give the new 911 GT3 S/C an unmistakable look.
In line with its positioning as a driver’s car, this special model is available exclusively with a lightweight short-ratio six-speed manual sports transmission. The 911 GT3 S/C is the only open-top variant in the current 911 range that is designed as a pure two-seater – reminiscent of the 911 Speedster from 2019. Unlike the Speedster, however, the 911 GT3 S/C is not a limited-edition model. The new Street Style Package is also available for the 911 GT3 S/C, which allows the vehicle to be tailored even more precisely to individual tastes.
According to Frank Moser, Head of the 911 and 718 model series, the new 911 GT3 S/C caters to customers’ demand for sports cars that are particularly focused on driving pleasure: “The emotive powertrain of the 911 GT3 comes into its own even more emphatically when driving with the roof down on winding country roads. This is particularly down to managing to keep the weight of the 911 GT3 S/C down to just 1,497 kilograms, despite the fully automatic soft top. That is only about 30 kg more than the 991-generation 911 Speedster.”
Thorough lightweight design for maximum driving pleasure
The combination of particularly lightweight and high-quality materials ensures that the 911 GT3 S/C shines with the characteristic agility of Porsche GT models. The lightweight body components carried over from the 911 S/T are recognisable, even at first glance. The bonnet, wings and doors are made of carbon fibre. The carbon-fibre anti-roll bars and shear plate are also carried over from the fixed-head 911 S/T. The brakes and wheels also follow the S/T lightweight formula: the PCCB braking system, which is more than 20 kg lighter than the cast iron brakes, is fitted as standard. The centre-lock wheels, measuring 20 inches in diameter on the front axle and 21 inches at the rear, also from the 911 S/T, are made of lightweight magnesium. This saves around nine kilograms of rotating mass. Magnesium is also used in the fully automatic cabriolet roof of the 911 GT3 S/C. A lightweight and compact 40 Ah lithium-ion battery further contributes to the car’s impressively low weight, saving about four kg compared to a conventional battery.
Sporty and elegant interior
The interior features lightweight carpets and lightweight door panels with carbon-fibre pull handles – further design features carried over from the 911 S/T. The 911 GT3 S/C is built as a two-seater, with four-way adjustable Sports Seats Plus fitted as standard. Lightweight sports bucket seats with folding backrests and seat shells made of carbon fibre are optionally available for the 911 GT3 S/C. The folding bucket seat is equipped with an integrated thorax airbag, electric height adjustment and manual longitudinal adjustment. Three-stage seat heating can also be ordered as an option. The interior is upholstered in black leather as standard – including the sun visors and the A-pillar trim. The GT3 S/C logo is embroidered in the centre of the rear bulkhead trim. The seat centre panels are finished in perforated leather. As with the 911 S/T, the steering wheel is also upholstered in perforated leather. Just like the current
fixed-head 911 GT3, the 911 GT3 S/C is started not with the push of a button but with a rotary ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel. The digital instrument cluster supports the driver with a clearly structured display and operating concept. The ‘Track Screen’ display mode reduces the digital displays on the left and right of the rev counter to essential data on tyres, oil, coolant and fuel. Shift lights on the left and right of the rev counter indicate the optimal moment to change gear. If desired, the display can be rotated so that the rev limit of 9,000 rpm is positioned at the 12 o’clock mark.
High-revving naturally aspirated engine producing 510 PS
The naturally aspirated 4.0-litre engine of the new 911 GT3 S/C is designed to comply with the latest emissions standards and is equipped with two particulate filters and four catalytic converters. Even with this extremely efficient exhaust gas purification system, Porsche delivers an emotionally engaging soundscape that is significantly intensified when the roof is down. The cylinder heads have been revised compared to the previous-generation 911 GT3, and the more aggressive camshafts carried over from the 911 GT3 RS ensure even more responsive power delivery in the upper rev range. The powertrain also features flow-optimised individual throttle bodies and further optimised oil coolers. The flat-six engine produces 375 kW (510 PS). The six-speed GT manual transmission features a sporty short final-drive ratio that matches that of the 911 S/T and the 911 GT3. The new 911 GT3 S/C accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 313 km/h.
Magnesium ribs in fully automatic cabriolet top
Because the 911 GT3 S/C, unlike its 911 Speedster ancestor, is not adorned with a double-bubble rear cover, the fully automatic lightweight roof from the current 911 model series could be installed instead of a manual soft top. Thanks to the innovative use of magnesium ribs, a coupé-like roofline is achieved when the fabric roof is in its closed position. With almost identical contours, the fabric roof stretches in an elegant arc from windscreen frame to roof stowage compartment lid. No structural elements are visible beneath the fabric, nor are there any sections that interrupt the flowing design of the characteristic 911 flyline. This also brings aerodynamic advantages. Thanks to the particularly lightweight hydraulic roof actuators, the soft top can be opened or closed in approximately 12 seconds, either while stationary or at speeds of up to 50 km/h. As well as the two flat ribs, the front roof frame and the rear window frame are also made of magnesium. The integrated, electrically operated wind deflector ensures an exhilarating open-top driving experience even at higher speeds and cooler temperatures. At the push of a button, the wind deflector opens within just two seconds. It can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 120 km/h via a button in the centre console.
Unmistakable appearance
Matching the black roof, the windscreen frame is finished in black film, giving the 911 GT3 S/C its distinctive look, and the stone-chip protection film on the side panel features a matt-black finish. The matrix LED headlights combine all front lighting functions, making it possible to omit the additional light units previously found in the front bumper. This allows for a significantly larger area for the air intake – and a more clearly structured appearance. For the first time on a 911 with a convertible roof, the retractable rear spoiler is adorned with a Gurney flap, as found on the 911 S/T and the 911 GT3 with Touring Package. The front spoiler lip and rear diffuser are carried over from the current 911 GT3.
Driving pleasure taken to a new level
“We have already learned with the 911 Speedster and the 718 Spyder RS just how well our highrevving naturally aspirated engine, a particularly dynamic chassis setup and thorough lightweight construction combine to create a true driver’s car without a roof,” says Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars. “For the first time, the 911 GT3 S/C uses the double wishbone front axle on an open-top 911. Combined with the particularly high-grip sports tyres and low weight, the car offers driving pleasure on winding roads that was previously virtually unheard of in an open-top car.” The chassis set-up of the new 911 GT3 S/C mirrors that of the 911 GT3 with Touring Package. As with all 911 GT3 models, 255/35 ZR 20 front and 315/30 ZR 21 rear tyres are fitted as standard.
Street Style Package for a distinctive visual identity
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offers the optional Street Style Package for the new 911 GT3 S/C. The eye-catching decorative graphics on the front wings and the ‘PORSCHE’ lettering on the sides of the vehicle are in the colour Pyro Red. At the front, the tinted HD-Matrix headlights and body-coloured airblades provide striking accents. Inside, the Adaptive Sports Seats Plus catch the eye with an embroidered outline of the Porsche crest. The seat centre panels are upholstered in four-tone braided leather in Slate Grey, Guards Red, Magnesium Grey and Kalahari. This intricately produced material is also found in the glove box. In addition, the interior is almost completely upholstered with two-tone leather in Slate Grey and Guards Red. The contrasting decorative stitching, door handle loops, seat handles and seatbelts are also all finished in Guards Red. The steering column trim, the seat console, the inner sill trim and the fuse box cover are trimmed in leather – as are the air vents, including the slats. The floor mats also feature leather edging. The sun visors, interior mirror console and windscreen frame, as well as the convertible roof headliner, are upholstered in perforated Slate Grey Race-Tex. A special visual and tactile highlight is the darkened gear lever with its open-pore laminated wood gear knob and shift pattern displayed in Pyro Red. The ‘GT3 S/C’ badge beneath the gear lever, the accent strips in the dash panel and the ‘911’ badge fitted on the passenger side are also finished in Pyro Red. In addition, Porsche Design offers accessories that complement the Street Style Package.
Lightweight storage box for the rear cabin
A lightweight storage box is available as an accessory for the 911 GT3 S/C, which offers additional storage options in the rear of the car, from the Porsche Shop. The box weighs just 10 kg, has a capacity of 80 litres and is trimmed in leather on the outside. The two lockable lids on top feature fabric loop handles. It being mounted via pins anchored in the body structure enables it to be installed exceptionally easily and quickly. Trim strips, decorative stitching and fabric loop handle colours can be individually customised to suit the chosen interior configuration. There are also versions of the storage box available to match the Street Style Package.
911 GT3 S/C for the wrist
Exclusively for owners of the 911 GT3 S/C, Porsche Design presents an extraordinary timepiece that brings the design and performance of the sports car to the wrist. The Chronograph 911 GT3 S/C is equipped with the precise, COSC-certified Porsche Design caliber WERK 01.200 with a flyback function. Its case, crafted from ultra-lightweight titanium and optionally available with a black titanium carbide coating, combines sports car design with modern watchmaking artistry. The GT3-themed dial with yellow accents and hexagonal pattern reflects the car’s instrument panel, while the winding rotor is modelled on the design of the magnesium forged wheels. The colour ring of the dial is available in all exterior colours for the 911 GT3 S/C, including those from the Paint to Sample range. The strap, made from genuine Porsche interior leather and thread, is also tailored to the specific configuration of the customer’s vehicle.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is available to order now.
