Porsche 911 GT3, GT3 Touring Updated; GT3 Moniker Turns 25

It's taken Porsche around four months to reveal the GT3 and GT3 Touring version of the updated 911. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the GT3 moniker, the refreshed version comes with an updated engine and, for the first time, gets the Weissach Package, which was only available on the RS models.

The refreshed GT3 gets the same 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated, flat-six engine with 503 bhp and 450 Nm, which is still mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With the former, 0-100 kmph is achieved in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 313 kmph. With the auto, the 0-100 kmph run is 0.6 seconds quicker but the top speed is 2 kmph slower.

Porsche says it has given the engine new cylinder heads and camshafts from the 911 GT3 RS to improve the engine speeds at the top-end of the spectrum. The engine also gets individual throttle valves, optimised oil coolers and a shorter final drive ratio. 

Inside, the new GT3 also gets lighter bucket seats, made out of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) as an option. The seats also get an integrated airbag, electric height adjustment and an optional seat heating function. To make it easier to drive on the race track with a helmet on, a part of the headrest padding can be removed to make more space. The GT3 Touring also gets rear seats as an optional extra. 

Because of the Weissach package, you now get a CFRP roof, side plates on the rear wings, ORVM shells, an anti-roll bar and a shear panel on the rear axle. The GT3 now also gets the option of lighter Magnesium wheels. The GT3 Touring gets a Leichtbau (lightweight) package which gets the carbon fibre suspension components from the Weissach package, a body-coloured CFRP roof, magnesium wheels and the shorter gearshift lever from the 911 S/T. As always, the GT3 Touring is essentially the 911 GT3 without the rear wing. 

There’s no word of the new 911 GT3 coming to India. However, the pre-facelift version was sold in India and the GT3 RS is still available for ₹3.5 crore (ex-showroom, India). It seems likely that Porsche India will bring the updated 911 GT3 to India in the future.