2025 992.2 Porsche 911 GT3: built for purists

Enthusiasts rejoice – Porsche isn’t messing with the winning GT3 formula that has worked for the past 25 years with the revered GT product continuing with its wailing 9000rpm six-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine.

In conjunction with the milestone anniversary, Porsche is offering a GT3 birthday present as the next instalment of the circuit-bred 911, eschewing hybridisation and employing weight-saving measures instead.

The naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine that produces 375kW is sticking around for the 992.2 generation, unlike many rivals choosing to adopt hybrid petrol-electric powertrains.

Indeed, the gurus at Stuttgart aren’t resting on their laurels with the haloed boxer combustion engine gaining mechanical tweaks to further hone the package.

Other benefits to the GT3 are found in terms of handling, aerodynamics and overall comfort.

And for the first time, both the GT3 and the GT3 Touring Package launch together, with Aussie orders available by year’s end.

Most of the news is positive, and while the increased price of admission – up $29,300 compared to the usurped 992 generation – isn’t exactly good news, it’s far from unexpected.

An Australian launch isn’t expected until the second half of 2025, but the order books will open before the end of the year.

The Porsche 911 GT3 and Touring Package are now $446,700 before on-road costs. That price encompasses both manual and PDK automatic transmissions.

By comparison the new 922.2-series is priced from around $280,000 and comes with hybrid tech for the first time via the Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid model-grade.

All Aussie-delivered GT3s come with extra equipment fitted as part of the standard specification, including front-axle lift kit, park assist (rear) with reversing camera, light design package, tyre fit set and DAB+ digital radio. Special order paints are also be available.

While the power figure remains unchanged, the boxer engine itself hasn’t thanks to a series of ‘optimisation measures’.

The 3996cc engine gains sharper camshafts from the GT3 RS for added performance in the higher rev range as well as revised cylinder heads.

And it gets more efficient oil coolers and flow-optimised individual throttle valves.

A bugbear for some enthusiasts, (although more notably with the Cayman), the final drive gear ratios have been shortened by 8.0 per cent for both the seven-speed PDK and six-speed manual transmissions.

Straight-line performance continues to be swift with the launch-control assisted 0-100km/h dash dispensed with in just 3.4 seconds for the PDK and 3.9sec for the manual.

The top speeds are 311km/h and 313km/h respectively.

The GT3 twins must meet modern emissions standards and run with two particulate filters and four catalytic converters. However, as you can hear in the video, this thankfully hasn’t killed the traditional soundtrack.

That Porsche has stuck to its guns with its traditional engine for the GT3 is impressive given the regular 992.2 models feature hybrid tech for the first time. The GT3's purist pursuit is also in contrast with some rival brands, where the new Ferrari F80 for instance has ditched its predecessor’s V12 for a hybrid V6 powertrain.

The Porsche 911 will go fully electric one day, but for now it remains true to its heritage.

In an age of heavy hybrid supercars, the 992.2 Porsche 911 GT3 is trying to remain as light as possible.

Unsprung mass is reduced by 1.5kg thanks to the new silver-coloured lightweight aluminium wheels. Or you can take it a step further and save nine kilograms with the optional magnesium wheels available in the Weissach and Lightweight packages. More on these later.

A new 40Ah lithium-ion battery shaves a further four kilograms from the scale.

In its most lithe form, the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 tips the scales at 1420kg, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 3.8kg/kW or 262kW/tonne.

Both the GT3 and GT3 Touring receive tweaked styling to improve overall aero efficiency.

For starters, a re-contoured front diffuser, refined shape of the spoiler lip and modified underbody fins combine to increase downforce.

Redesigned Matrix LED headlights eliminate the need for lights in the front apron and allow for an increased inlet area, while the rear diffuser, lid and air inlets have been redesigned.

The GT3’s rear wing also gains angled side plates.

Brake cooling and high-speed downforce has been increased in the wheelarches thanks to specifically developed trailing arms with a teardrop profile on the double-wishbone front axle.

To manage the newfound downward pressure and the overall front-to-rear balance while braking, Porsche incorporates an ‘anti-dive’ system to mitigate suspension pitch. To facilitate this, the front ball joint of the lower trailing arm on the front axle has been set lower – a lesson taken from the GT3 RS.

“On the track, the new 911 GT3 enables even better control because it holds even steadier and handles better on bumps and when driving over kerbs thanks to the optimised damper tuning,” brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister said.

“The anti-dive system noticeably reduces the pitching movement when braking. As a result, the balance of the car remains significantly more consistent under all conditions.”

Inside, the 992.2 Porsche 911 GT3 offers optional lightweight sports bucket seats with a folding backrest, while the shell is made from Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Plastic, or CFRP.

The race-derived pews aren’t bereft of comfort, though. They offer electric height adjustment and manual longitudinal adjustment as well as a thorax airbag and optional three-stage heating.

Track-day practicality is also considered with a removeable headrest for easier access when placing a helmet in the back of the cabin.

The racing focus continues as you can rotate the position of the tachometer so that the all-important 9000rpm maker is at the 12 o’clock position.

It hasn’t been available previously, but now you can choose to fit a back seat in a 911 GT3 with Touring Package at no cost – it’s basically family-friendly...

For the first time, you can option the Weissach package on a Porsche 911 GT3. Although it will set you back a significant $47,530 for the privilege.

For the considerable spend, the track-focused package adds a host of items made from CFRP including the anti-roll bar, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle, roof, rear wing side plates, exterior mirror shells and front air blades.

Inside, there’s additional leather as well as Race-Tex upholstery and CFRP door handles and storage nets to help reduce weight.

The winged GT3 continues to offer the Club Sport package at no additional charge, which includes a bolted steel roll cage in the rear, a six-point harness for the driver and a hand-held fire extinguisher.

For the wingless GT3 with Touring Package, Porsche offers the $71,120 Lightweight package. It includes extensive CFRP for the painted roof as well as the stabiliser, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle.

The big-ticket item for the Lightweight pack is the magnesium forged wheels, but it also includes CFRP door cards and the shortened manual shifter from the ST with a plaque reading ‘Leichtbau’.

Stay tuned for our first drive of the new 992.2 Porsche 911 GT3 in 2025.

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