415 horses and a hand smacking 3.6 litre flat-Six engine unleashed 193 mile per hour onto the Geneva Motor Show in February of 2006. The 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 pounced the show with potential and flawless Porsche design to the reception of loyalists and tire kickers alike.
Bred for racing and handed off to the general public as a street legal performance dream. Cream puff drivers step back, you’re about to get your cream whipped. The extended rev characteristic just sounds intimidating for those who only want to look, but pulses through the veins of those who are looking to get their fingertips wet.
Of course it a Porsche, so there’s a little something to back up the impressive sound, like precision attention paid to airflow intake rates to maximize engine performance, the 115.3 horses released per liter, and a mechanical slip differential.
This 911 sport coupe sports a naturally aspirated 8,400 rpm redlined powerhouse under the sleek hood. With the easily identifiable Porsche signature face leading her acceleration, she has been designed to deliver super power performance behind the wheel whether driving to work or taking a weekend excursion to the weekend track.
A few intelligent modifications to the variable intake system, the addition of an enlarged throttle valve from 76 to 82 millimeters, optimized cylinder heads, and a new and improved low back pressure exhaust system created an additional explosion of power and clean performance.
The 911 GT3 comes with a standard revised six speed manual transmission with adapted lower gear ratios for gears 2 through 6 and shorter shift lever throws. In conjunction with the new change up tach display which lights up into a luminous reminder that the driver is about to hit optimum rpms the driver has everything needed at the fingertips to maximize power and force to find the thrill ride of their life. The GT3 has been proven to rocket to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in a mere 4.1 seconds. It matches an impressive time of 8.7 seconds from 0 to 100 miles per hour.
The GT3 came onto the scene looking to optimize the transmission of power from the engine to the road with a comprehensive traction package. The package includes a new Electronic Traction Control System. The Electronic Traction Control System was adapted directly from the design on the Carrera GT, featuring system enhancements like traction-slip and drag-torque control functions. The aim is to allow for maximum handling regardless of driving conditions. It can be disabled at the driver’s whim should the need arise.
The GT3 introduces the inception of Porsche’s active suspension system. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system offers the unique two chassis in one configuration. These two chassis provide optimum drivability in various road conditions or some serious laps at the track. The sport mode firms up the damping to allow for track racing or for the daredevil driver who isn’t concerned about gaining a few points on their license.
This rear wheel drive beast isn’t too hard on the gas tank, either. With an EPA rating of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles to the gallon with the freedom of the open road, it’s refreshing to see a high performance car that won’t drain all the gas out of the local station.
The front seats are optimum for track racing, molded directly to the driver’s body. However, there have been a few complaints that the seats wear hard on the legs and shoulders when trying to navigate normal traffic in normal conditions. The rear seats allow even the rear passengers to enjoy the ride in their rear bucket seats that mildly simulate the driver’s ride.
Small details make the Porsche what it is and gives it the reputation among the leaders of the performance car industry. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel nicely compliments the speed proportional power steering. The climate control is filtered through an efficient interior active charcoal filter and the variable intermittent rain sensing windshield wipers all call out quality and attention to detail.
The 911 GT3 surpassed the mandated safety features. Aside from the dual airbags with passenger sensing activation and the traction control and the interior trunk release, the GT3 comes with a host of detail oriented safety features.
Only 4.6 inches off the ground, the Porsche 911 GT3 comes with 38.10 inches of headroom and 51.5 inches of shoulder room across the front. This creates for many the perfect fit to haul the 273 pounds per foot of torque at 4250 rpms.
The options package offers numerous creature comforts that set the 911 GT3 over the top. The bi-Xenon headlamp package offers dynamic leveling and headlight washers. The optional Bose sound system is naturally head and tails over the standard nine speaker sound system. Heated front seat add a wonderful dynamic to any car and self dimming interior and exterior mirrors just prove to be yet another detail that announces Porsche’s quality. Of course the Sports Chrono Package Plus that comes complete with analog, digital chronometer, sport button direct in the center console with the display in the PCM and the ability to adjust the lighting, the wipers, air conditioning, and the door locking all to the owner’s personal preference. Hit the sport button and immediately the handling and the performance are altered to a racing state. Why not add the Porsche logo wheel caps to top it all of with the perfect Porsche detail?
Porsche started as a small family company with a vision. With each new release the original vision stays firmly in focus of the designers and the engineers. The 911 GT3 is certainly no exception to the Porsche rule of power, performance, style, class, and speed. Legends are dreamed up, and then enhanced into reality. Porsche is one of the few car companies out there who understand the process and still create heart throbbing masterpieces. With a base price of $106,795 this is one dream turned reality that is reserved for those with a lot of pocket change.
© 2007 Kiersten Stetser and Chris Ostberg (AudiWorld.com) for www.sport-cars.org
This article has been viewed 5405 time(s).
The most viewed articles in current category:
