Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
If you're a fan of the 911 GT3 but can't get past that massive wing in the back, here's some good news. The all-new 911 GT3 Touring aims to make an already desirable car even better as Porsche seeks to bring some elegance to the GT3. For those that might have missed it, the 992-generation 911 GT3 is as good a Porsche as they come; agile, fast, good-looking, you name it!
Just like the last generation (991 gen) GT3 Touring, the principal difference between the 911 GT3 Touring and its GT3 sibling is the absence of the latter's humongous wing. In this case, Porsche has replaced the wing with an electronically retractable spoiler that just as well gives the car enough downforce to match its older sibling's speed and stability.
Engine
The GT3's powertrain is also present here; a 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces 502 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque with a 9000 rpm redline. As you might have guessed, the GT3's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is present too. Not a PDK fan? You can 'upgrade' to a six-speed manual transmission system at no extra cost.
Although Porsche didn't release any performance stats for the new car, the GT3 Touring is expected to match its brother's performance hitting 60 mph in 3.2 seconds while maxing out at a top speed of 197 mph.
Exterior and Interior
Design cues are largely unchanged. However, it's clear for everyone to see that the aim was to make a more subdued car. We are left with a Porsche that looks and feels elegant while still offering top-notch performance. Visible changes on the outside include; silver-colored trim strips on the side windows, silver-colored exhaust pipes, dark-tinted front light modules, a "bespoke" grille on the front fascia, and a rear lid grille with the 'GT3 Touring' logo.
Porsche says that despite having a wider body, larger wheels, and numerous additional technical features, the new GT3 Touring weighs the same as its predecessor, tipping the scales at 1435 kg (3164 lb). The company attributes the car's impressive weight to the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for various parts of the 911 GT3 Touring, including the bonnet, glass windows, and forged alloy wheels.
On the inside, the all-new car ditches the GT3's Alcantara suede fittings instead, opting for an elegant black leather finish for almost all components in the cabin. Of course, the German company's wide array of customization options are available for customers too. For good measure, a model-specific Porsche Design Chronograph is also available for grabs.
So why bother with a new car if everything is the same?
Well, Porsche says that the last generation (991 generation) 911 GT3 Touring was pretty popular with a section of their customers that love "top-class sports cars with a pronounced passion for understatement and classic driving pleasure." The company also noted that the name "Touring Package" dates back to an equipment variant of the 1973 911 Carrera RS.
Porsche describes the 911 GT3 Touring as a no-cost option. As such, the new model costs the same as the original 911 GT3, with a $163,000 price tag. Deliveries are scheduled to start at the beginning of 2022.
