Prior to the '991' generation of Porsche 911 GT3, all GT-models only came with a manual transmission gearbox. However, for the '991', Porsche decided that the GT-models starting with the GT3 will receive Porsche's Doppelkupplungsgetriebe gearbox or simply 'PDK'. Even the hardcore RS which came out two years later even got the PDK with no manual option in sight.
This was blasphemy to 911 aficionados as the 911 has been regarded by many as a "driver's car" and without a manual gearbox completely affects the experience. One man in the USA even went to the extreme of buying a
manual gearbox to fit into his 991-generation GT3RS because Porsche wouldn't make it. What gearbox did he use you may ask? It came from the 2016 Porsche 911 R.
Along Came The Golden Child, The 911 R.
The 911 R was Porsche's response to the enthusiasts that desperately wanted the manual gearbox in a GT3. The 911 R received the 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six from the GT3RS however the looks were restrained. It received the bodykit from the GT3 but the rear wing was replaced with the retractable spoiler from the regular Porsche 911. Despite looking like a regular 911, the R received the magnesium roof and a carbon hood and fenders.
This made the 911 R the lightest 911 during the 991 era. With a claimed 60kgs lighter than the 'normal' GT3. Though, the 911 R was more of a homage to the 911 R from 1967. With brown leather with plaid rather than alcantara on the interior. This however fluctuated the price of the 911 R up to the point where one sold for RM2.57 million at RM Sotheby's auction. That is RM1.8 million more than what Porsche originally charged for the car.
Porsche got so upset with the scalpers pushing the price of the 911 R that they actually ended up making the GT3 Touring for the 991.2 generation to mess the market. Though it may seem that the tactic worked, the GT3 Touring isn't the same as the 911 R. Gone were those magnesium roof and carbon panels but the engine still had a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six with 500hp but revved to 9000rpm.
The GT3 For Everyone Else, Touring.
The GT3 Touring focused more for the people who wanted to enjoy their GT3 wherever they went. Don't get me wrong, the GT3RS is stupendously amazing but it isn't something I'd drive to my local supermarket. It's fantastic for places like Sepang or hills but it's too flashy for my tapao session and traffic light sprint sessions. Heck, even Chris Harris has a GT3 Touring and he brings his dog in it.
The GT3 Touring is just like the standard GT3, with the exception of a manual gearbox and the large spoiler. Which quite frankly makes it interesting and fast forward to the new 992-generation, the GT3 Touring follows the same recipe of its predecessor. However, for the new generation 992, you can opt for a PDK gearbox just like how the 992 GT3 now offers a manual gearbox too.
That being said, performance figures ought to be similar to the GT3 which features a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine. Porsche actually tested the engine at 300km/h for 5000km non-stop, the same engine in fact is also used 'unchanged' from the new 911 GT3 Cup. So, a race engine with a subtle outlook is quite a recipe for trolling.
The manual Touring will launch from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds while the PDK will complete it in 3.2 seconds. While the top speed is still rated at 320 km/h (317 km/h with PDK) similar to the GT3. And during testing of the GT3 on the fearsome Nurburgring Nordschleife, it managed to achieve a 6:59.927 lap time around the 20.8km track. That is over 17 seconds faster than its predecessor. However, the Touring will be slightly slower due to the lack of additional downforce.
The 992 GT3 Touring should be available soon as it is already listed on Porsche Malaysia's website with the price only available through enquiries. The 992 GT3 Touring should be making their way to our shores sometime in 2022.
Written by | Danial Malek
Images by | Porsche
