SPY PICS: Porsche's next 911 GT3 uncovered

Porsche’s seventh-generation 911 Coupe hit Australian roads in February and the redesigned Cabriolet version – and seven-speed manual versions of the new coupe – will be launched next week, but here’s proof the Stuttgart sportscar-maker is hard at work on the most track-focussed version of the all-new 991-series yet: the racy new GT3.

Snapped here by Carparazzi undergoing testing at Germany’s famed Nurburgring, this barely disguised prototype reveals the next GT3 will continue the current model’s chief design hallmarks, including two central rear exhaust outlets, a massive two-tier fixed rear wing and a more aggressive front bumper with lower splitter and air inlets ahead of the bonnet.

While the unique bumper and spoiler are designed to deliver greater downforce than the standard 911, the upper front air vents are there to satisfy the extra cooling requirements of the next GT3’s beefed-up 3.8-litre flat six, which is expected to up the previous model’s peak power output from 320kW to about 338kW.

The previous GT3 engine will be a hard act to follow, however.

First seen in 2006 before less than 100 examples of the facelifted 997 Series II version arrived in Australia from January 2010 – priced at a cool $282,000 - the previous GT3 eschewed the direct-injection system that was the headline act of the rest of the Series II 911 range, but came with a 200cc displacement advantage over its 3.6-litre predecessor.

It was also the first flat six to feature Porsche’s VarioCam valve actuation system for the engine’s exhaust camshafts, increasing peak power by 15kW to 320kW and lifting specific output to 84.3kW per litre.  Mid-range torque delivery was also improved, with a further 35Nm of torque on tap between 3000 and 4000rpm via the ‘Sport’ button and a peak of 430Nm available at 6250rpm (up from 405Nm at 5500rpm).

Capable of revving all the way to 8500rpm and returning average fuel consumption of just 12.8L/100km, the previous GT3 six was fitted with titanium connecting rods, forged pistons, bucket tappets, a variable intake system, a GT3-specific sports exhaust system and a clever dry-sump-within-sump lubrication system

As the basis for the Porsche Cup racecar – and the most formidable naturally aspirated, rear-wheel drive model in the 911 line-up – the new GT3 will remain a manual-only model and is expected to pick up the latest 911’s world-first seven-speed manual transmission.

However, expect it to again be matched with a significantly shorter final drive ratio than garden-variety 911 models (the old GT3’s final drive was a whole 22 per cent shorter), as well as closer gear ratios and extra internal reinforcements.

Also expect the new GT3 to eclipse its forebear’s 4.1-second 0-100km/h acceleration figure, which was itself two-tenths quicker than before, as well as its 312km/h top speed.

Once again, the new GT3 – which is likely to be available in standard and race-ready Clubsport guises, the latter equipped with FIA-mandated motorsport items such as a rollcage, racing harnesses, a battery isolator switch and fire extinguisher – will also come with bespoke, high-performance suspension and braking set-ups, extensive weight-reduction measures and the option of exotic centre-locking racing wheels, as seen in the images here.

Recent reports have speculated the next 911 will debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, however, our mail is that it’s unlikely to appear until 2013, with Australian deliveries not expected to take place until 2014.

Naturally, the next-generation 911 Turbo and its turbocharged rear-wheel drive sibling, the GT2, will again top the latest 911 range, but before they and the GT3 arrive the next new 911 derivative to emerge will be all-wheel drive Carrera 4 variants of both the coupe and cabriolet.

-- with Carparazzi

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