Porsche 911 GT3 2015 Review

Shock, horror: The latest 991-generation Porsche 911 GT3 has only two foot well pedals.

It’s a theme that continues throughout my time with this very special 911; well-heeled observer approaches, looks in the window, and then almost recoils in horror: “It’s only an auto!”

And while I’d normally be right there with them (heck, just this morning I spied a lovely 996 Turbo, only to shake my head at the Tiptronic lever), I am willing to bet that not many who decry the lack of a manual gearshift in the latest GT3 have actually driven one.

It’s this writer’s opinion that the lightning-quick dual-clutch PDK seven-speeder found in the latest GT3 generation is the perfect accompaniment to its utterly rampant ability.

It’s so engrossing, in fact, that I’d happily focus on paddle-shift and apex, rather than rev-matching my downshifts.

I concede that those who want to self-shift should still have the option to do so, but it’s the way of the market majority. Now excuse me for a minute while I put on my flame suit as 'purists' and fellow journos attack me!

That controversy aside, the rest of the 911 GT3 is utterly absorbing. Fitted with a 3.8-litre water-cooled flat-six that features direct-injection for the first time in a GT3, the 350kW output is remarkable given the unit’s natural aspiration.

Even more remarkable is its 9000rpm capability, especially given its large 633cc cylinders, but the displacement does help generate 440Nm of torque. However, the engine’s fuel use is a hint as to why Porsche is going turbo soon, the GT3 consuming 12.4L/100km on the combined cycle.

Priced from $293,200 (plus on-road costs), you could buy a nice country house for the outlay… but once you blink twice at what its performance rivals are asking (see the specs panel below) you find yourself justifying it on a thrills for bills basis.

The Agate Grey example we’re testing adds several options, to bring its RRP to a less convincing $320,420 plus on-roads.

The most expensive option is the Sports bucket seats. Carbon-backed and with essentially fixed parameters (the seat back can be adjusted via a special tool if required), these lightweight leather and Alcantara-trimmed pews add an additional $7790 to the price.

Opting for Porsche’s Communication Management System adds a further $7530. Then there’s the Sport Chrono pack ($3990), bi-xenon headlights with dynamic light system ($2790), telephone module ($1990), sound package plus ($1450), digital radio capability ($1090) and silver-grey seatbelts ($590). It all adds up.

Although the GT3 is these days well-equipped with items such as sat-nav and dual-zone climate-control, it’s the engineering detail that draws owners.

The 991 is the first GT3 to adopt four-wheel steering, with the double intent of providing low-speed agility (with the rears steered in a slight opposite phase to the fronts) and high-speed stability (the rears following the fronts).

In the rear axle there’s an electronically-controlled differential lock as well as torque vectoring capability. Active engine and transmission mounts add further fine control and the suspension is set 30mm lower than the narrow-bodied 911 on which it is based.

The hunkered suspension also benefits from bespoke damper tuning and the option of normal and sport chassis response at the flick of a cockpit switch.

Thankfully, Australian vehicles also have the front ride height lift kit which raises the front-end by 30mm to make speed humps – heck, even angled driveways – a far less scary proposition.

But all of this tech talk pales into insignificance once you’ve lowered (and I mean lowered) yourself into the GT3’s strictly two-seat cabin.

The Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel is the first sight to behold. Thick and light but bulkier around the 9-to-3 positions, it feels simply perfect.

Those sports seats, meanwhile, have incredible lower-section support, though the effectively fixed backs may require a chiropractor visit after a bumpy high-speed run.

Starting the GT3 evokes memories of air-cooled 911s with its tinkering, crackling and growling, ill-at-ease with being cold. Take the time to warm the fluids through, however, and the PDK quickly and seamlessly shifts into seventh.

The ride jitters, of course, but this GT3 can do the commute if you simply must.

Finally, the freeway on-ramp opens; the fluids warm. I stretch my right foot and at 3500rpm the sports exhaust opens up, followed by a 4500rpm surge. I check again at 5500rpm and it feels as though there’s a final lunge approaching… only I still have 3500rpm to go. Wow.

The final 7500-9000rpm rush almost drowns your senses, the front-end dangling lightly through your fingertips in that gorgeous 911 tradition, with flat-six howl shoving you from behind with incredible traction.

A tug on the weighty right shift paddle (Porsche has weighted the shifters to ensure each grab is intentional) and there’s no pause in ferocity as the GT3 surges towards red once more.

Thankfully the PDK has been calibrated to allow full-throttle, full-manual shifting; even the Turbo we recently compared with the Mercedes-AMG GT S will kick down if it feels the need.

Leaving the straights for the twists, the GT3 ups its game further. Riding on gorgeous centre-lock 20-inch alloys and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres measuring 245/35/20 front and 305/30/20 rear, the GT3 finds instant purchase, the added turn-in agility of the four-wheel steer system making its presence felt in conjunction with Porsche’s electrically-assisted power steering, which is simply sublime.

Coming off the throttle, the high-set brake pedal position is initially awkward, until you realise just how progressive and feelsome the pedal is; it’s also nicely-placed for those left-foot braking legends at track days.

Even without the cost-optional carbon-ceramic brakes, the GT3’s braking ability is far beyond what’s required for the road; even when you find the space to indulge in that epic engine’s power-band once more.

Yes, there is less torque than turbo opposition, but it’s so much more accurate to throttle placement. Honed to the driver’s needs, the GT3 remains unique in its delivery of driving performance.

It talks to the driver, challenging them and rewarding clean driving with incredible traction and absorbing interactivity. It may sound expensive, but in the context of its opposition, it should be on top of any well-heeled enthusiast's wish list.

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 pricing and specifications:
Price: $293,200 ($320,400 as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.8-litre flat six-cylinder petrol
Output: 350kW/440Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 12.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 289g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Also consider:
>> McLaren 650S (from $459,250)
>> Nissan GT-R (from $172,000)
>> Ferrari 458 Speciale (from $550,000)