The Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package delivers an unfiltered 4.0l naturally aspirated flat-six engine experience, combining lightweight design and track-ready suspension without the flamboyant fixed rear wing, according to reporting from Business Day.
Mechanical DNA and Track-Ready Performance
Both the standard GT3 and the Touring variant share a high-revving 4.0l naturally aspirated flat-six engine that outputs 375kW and 450Nm, paired with rear-wheel drive and track-ready suspension, as reported by Business Day. The vehicle tips the scales at 1,420kg due to lightweight measures like lighter wheels and batteries, with further weight-saving options available through Weissach and Leichtbau packages.
On public roads, the car delivers immediate feedback. According to Business Day’s review of the South African media launch in the Western Cape, a giant invisible hand presses the GT3 into the road across mountain passes like Du Toitskloof Pass. An anti-dive system noticeably reduces pitching during heavy braking, while special teardrop-shaped trailing arms on the double-wishbone front axle help increase downforce and improve brake cooling.
Transmission Options and Driving Dynamics
Drivers can choose between a six-speed manual or a PDK automatic gearbox. According to Business Day, the PDK version hits 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, running half a second quicker than the manual variant’s 3.9-second time. Both gearboxes feature a final-drive ratio 8% shorter than the predecessor model, enhancing response times when passing slower traffic on country roads.
Testing notes that the car handles midcorner bumps without getting squirrelly, even on challenging surfaces. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R rubber allows drivers to probe cornering limits, though the firm suspension and low-profile tires—255/35 ZR20s up front and 315/30 ZR21s in the rear—make rough tarmac a seismic event.
Pro Tip: Managing Weather Conditions
Testing during torrential rain in Southern California notes that the GT3 Touring remains predictable if driven like a Camry instead of a GT3. Hydroplaning is technically more likely though we experienced basically none, and mud on the road was a bigger issue for a split second before tires found raw pavement again, while wipers struggled to keep up at higher speeds.
Pricing and the End of an Era
The base GT3 Touring model is priced at R4.7m, according to Business Day. Buyers can add several options, including ceramic composite brakes at R283,000, lightweight sport bucket seats at R168,000, an extended interior leather package at R143,000, a front-axle lifting system at R84,000, and tinted HD-Matrix LED headlights at R78,000.
This is the last of its kind, and the screaming naturally aspirated flat-six will soon be history. Business Day notes that the next GT3 will almost certainly be turbocharged (and perhaps even a hybrid) due to stricter European emissions standards, and this non-turbo 992.2 version could well become a collectible classic that appreciates in value.
Did You Know?
According to Business Day, the digital instrument panel features a track screen that reduces displays to key data on tyres, oil and water while flashing optimal shift points, and the tachometer can be rotated to place the 9,000rpm limit at 12 o’clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the standard Porsche 911 GT3 and the Touring Package?
According to Business Day, the Touring Package swaps the regular GT3’s giant fixed swan-neck rear wing for an active rear spoiler that pops up at higher speeds, preserving the classic 911 silhouette. It also features a body-coloured front apron, unique badging, extended black leather interior touchpoints and optional rear seats.
How fast does the Porsche 911 GT3 accelerate?
According to Business Day, the PDK automatic version accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, while the two-pedal version is half a second quicker than the 3.9-second time of the manual.
Why might this generation of the GT3 become a collectible?
According to Business Day, stricter European emissions regulations mean future GT3 models will likely be turbocharged (and perhaps even a hybrid), making this naturally aspirated flat-six version the last of its kind that could well become a collectible classic that appreciates in value.
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