gt3 history
The Porsche GT3
A Legacy Forged on the track, perfected for the road
In 1995, the motorsport world witnessed Gordon’s Murry McLaren F1’s historic victory at Le Mans, setting a new standard with its BMW V12 engine and state of the art engineering . This pivotal moment prompted Porsche to redefine the supercar landscape. They were in for a fight. With the brilliant Norbert Singer at the helm, Porsche embarked on an ambitious journey to create a race car that balanced agility and reliability against brute strength.
Utilizing the Porsche 911 platform, which was the 993 generation at that time, Singer’s team introduced groundbreaking aerodynamics and paired with the legendary Hans Mezger’s 3.2L twin-turbo engine from Group C 962 race car. The result was the birth of the Porsche GT1 in 1996, a marvel that showcased Porsche’s innovative spirit and engineering excellence.
Crafted in an astonishing six months, the GT1 debuted at Le Mans in 1996, with its road version revealed shortly before. Porsche set up a plan to build 25 examples of road legal GT1 to satisfy homologation requirements for the race. The new supercar not only performed well against thought competition on the track finishing second and third, but also captivated on the road. The GT1 set a new benchmark with 540 hp, a weight of just 1,250 kilograms, and a design that was the epitome of a 1996 supercar—blending speed, power, and the allure of exclusivity.
The GT1’s legacy paved the way for the GT3, a vision brought to life by Hartmut Kristen and his team at Porsche’s Weissach R&D center.
As in all great projects there were numerous challenges with the GT3 project. Redesigning a mid engine from a race car to fit in the back of a 911 body had its difficulties. Despite numerous internal struggles within Porsche eventually the answer was “yes you can do it, as long as it won’t hurt the brand”. How ironic..
In 1999, the Porsche 996 GT3 was introduced, heralding a new era as the world’s first production car to conquer the Nürburgring in under eight minutes. This was only the beginning. The GT3 emerged from the shadow of its predecessor, not just as a car, but as a philosophy that intertwined Porsche’s racing heritage with unparalleled road performance.
As the GT3 evolved through the 996, 997, and 991 generations, each iteration was a testament to Porsche’s unwavering commitment to push the limits of what’s possible.
Porsche GT3 is is a symbol of a cult-like community of drivers and enthusiasts who share a passion for the purity of driving, the excitement of the track, and the legacy of a brand that has continually set the benchmark in the automotive world.
The GT3 story is about Porsche’s relentless pursuit of perfection, a journey that began in response to a challenge and has since defined the essence of the brand. Join us in celebrating the Porsche GT3—a legend reborn, time and again.
996
Of course, no one car from the GT3 canon can really hope to capture the DNA of a breed that has evolved so comprehensively over the last two decades, but there’s something pure and uncomplicated about the 996. It seems that they have their own feel.
One distinct from those cars that came before it, and from those which followed.
1999 – 996.1 GT3
built in total 1,868 cars world wide
2003 – 996 GT3 RS
built in total 682 cars world wide
2003 – 996.2 GT3
built in total 2,313 cars world wide
997
If there is an ultimate 911 generation, its probably the 997. The 997 GT3 line up felt immensely improved over its predecessor. Porsche knew that the next generation of 911 GT3 cars will be very different form the so called “analog” 996 & 997 generations, therefore they celebrate with a final hurry.
A limited production run of 600 997 GT3 RS 4.0 . The pinnacle of the Mezger era.
2006 – 997.1 GT3, 3.6L
built in total 2,378 cars world wide
2006 – 997.1 GT3 RS, 3.6L
built in total 1,106 cars world wide
2009 – 997.2 GT3, 3.8L
built in total 2,256 cars world wide
2009 – 997.2 GT3 RS, 3.8L
built in total 2,000 cars world wide
2011 – 997 GT3 RS 4.0L
built in total 600 cars world wide
991
New bigger body, new advanced chassis and new high preforming and high revving engines. The 991 was a whole new platform with lots of hi-tech solutions to go faster while keeping the car on the road.
The first time ever the GT3 models were offered with PDK gearbox and in few versions the PDK was the only option. After listening to the enthusiasts, Andreas Preuninger gave a green light for the manual gearbox firstly appeared in the 991R (or maybe they planned it all aloneg.. ?). A new type of GT3 product, without a wing and more of a canyon craver then a track weapon.
The 991 GT3 line up was impressive and innovative. It preserved the spirit of the GT philosophy and carried the moniker to a new era, proudly and loudly.
2013 – 991.1 GT3, 3.8L
built in total 6,300 cars world wide
2016 – 991.1 GT3 RS, 4.0L
built in total 4,500 cars world wide
2016 – 991 R, 4.0L
built in total 991 cars world wide
2017 – 991.2 GT3, 4.0L
built in total 14,500 Touring and regular GT3 world wide
2018 – 991.2 GT3 RS 4.0
built in total 4,880 cars world wide
2019 – 991.2 GT3 SPEEDSTER 4.0L
built in total 1,963 cars world wide
992
The current 992 generation of Porsche 911 is yet to complete its life cycle, and the final verdict is yet to be said. As always, the GT3 community is critical and demanding. Also very nostalgic. There is something to be said about the insane capabilities of the 992 GT3 RS. Its just mad actually. I wonder how it is legal on the road. Its not just a road legal race car, it’s a road legal formula 1 car with f1 technology. Yes it will never feel like the 996 or 997 gt3 but you simply can’t race on such speed with old tech.
A new sexy and very much obvious addition to the gt3 line up is the S/T.
It’s another masterpiece of a modern GT3.
992.1 GT3
992.1 GT3 RS
992 TOURING
992 S/T
While the more modern versions are a mighty, mighty weapons, the older examples offering a more analog experience and therefor as desirable. Another reason why all GT3 products are so lust after. They are all exemptional and magical in their own way in their own time, a testament of Porsche timeless spirit.