Upgraded Porsche 911 GT3 US Bound

Press Release

The New Porsche 911 GT3 Is Set to Arrive in the US May 2003 Even Greater Performance, Driving Pleasure and Safety Stuttgart. The sporty 911 Carrera will have a supremely fit and athletic brother with even greater speed and power when Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, launches the new 911 GT3 in March 2003 (May in US). With 280 kW (381 hp), the new 911 GT3 (previously not available in North America) delivers 21 hp more than its predecessor. What's more, it delivers 61 hp more than the Carrera with the same displacement. The new GT3 has a top speed of 306 km/h. The specific output of 77.8 kW makes the 3.6-litre boxer engine one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engines in its class worldwide and represents the most powerful non-turbocharged Porsche ever offered for street use in the United States and Canada. The GT3 takes just 19.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h and then brake immediately back down to 0 km/h. The engineers at the Porsche development centre in Weissach have completely redesigned the new GT3. They focussed their efforts on excellent handling, a high standard of active safety and a lightweight design, the ultimate goal being, of course, a supremely sporty drive. The improved engine performance is achieved through a controlled increase in engine speed. The red sector of the rev counter now begins - depending on gear selection - at 8200/min. The new 911 GT3 therefore revs up to 400 rpm more than the previous model, which greatly enhances the car's sprinting ability. The GT3 accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, that's five-tenths of a second faster than its predecessor. It now reaches 160 km/h in just 9.4 seconds instead of the previous 10.2 seconds. At least 80 per cent of the maximum torque of 385 Nm (previously 370 Nm) is produced from 2000 rpm. To handle this increase in performance, the transmission was fitted with transmission oil cooling and injection oil lubrication as well as undergoing some additional reinforcements. The sports suspension of GT3, with a centre of gravity 30 millimeters lower than that of the 911 Carrera, was fine-tuned. The new wheels are wider and lighter and achieve higher axial and lateral acceleration values. On the front axle, the rim width was increased from 8 to 8½ inches, with tire dimensions of 235/40 ZR 18. The rear axle rims now measure eleven inches instead of the previous ten inches. The tire dimensions at the rear are 295/30 ZR-18.