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The New Porsche 911 GT3 Is Set to Arrive in Early 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. With 280 kW (381 hp), the new 911 GT3 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. 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 4.5 seconds, that's three-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 millimetres 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 tyre dimensions of 235/40 ZR 18. The rear axle rims now measure eleven inches instead of the previous ten inches. The tyre dimensions at the rear are 295/30 ZR 18.
The engineers have made further improvements to the brake system. On the front axle, the GT3 was given high-performance 6-piston monobloc brake calipers (previously 4-piston). The brake discs at the front were increased by 20 millimetres to a diameter of 350 millimetres and fitted with Porsche-patented coolant ducts. The ABS brake system was also modified. The new system (ABS 5.7) has a faster and more sensitive control response. It is also lightweight and provides greater stability for ABS braking.
Ceramic brake discs - Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) - can be fitted on request. These are already fitted as standard in the 911 GT2 and are also available with the 911 Turbo and Carrera 4S (subject to an extra charge).
The most striking visual feature of the new GT3 is the unique rear wing, which is largely responsible for the impressive directional stability at high speeds and the increased contact pressure for fast cornering. The experience gained with the GT3 Cup model in motor sport racing was put to good use when fine-tuning the car in the aerodynamic wind tunnel. The rear wing is, of course, adjustable. The front apron was also redesigned. The GT3 thus achieves an outstanding drag coefficient of Cd=0.30 for a car in its class.
The excellent handling dynamics have been achieved by the Porsche Motorsport specialists in Weissach without any chassis control systems, which could otherwise impair the overall driving experience. All components are designed and adapted to meet even the extreme demands of racetrack driving. It therefore goes without saying that the new GT3 will also be available in a Clubsport version (at no additional charge), which also delivers 280 kW (381 hp).
The Porsche 911 GT3 will cost 102,112 euro in Germany (including VAT and country-specific requirements). The standard euro price (excluding VAT and country-specific requirements) is 87,900 euro. The new GT3 will be available at European Porsche dealerships from March next year. The GT3 will be available in the United States from May 2003 at a price of 99,900 dollars.
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