Now it’s not every day that we get a GT3, so it’s a big deal when a new one does show up. Enter the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. With the 992 generation 911 out already, we all knew that a GT3 was inevitable. This is an all-new GT3 through and through.

Porsche has worked extensively on improving the aerodynamics and the GT3 packs some heavily upgraded hardware under the skin. While it produces around the same amount of power as the outgoing model, Porsche has somehow managed to make it even faster. How much faster? Well, a full 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor, around the Nürburgring. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly have the folks from Weissach do, to create the latest GT3.

The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is available in two flavors:

While the GT3 is an outright hardcore track weapon, the Touring Package tones things down with an emphasis on usable performance for the street. Under that rear-deck lid lies a motorsport-derived, heavily revised naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that produces 502 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque.

It revs to a colossal 9000 rpm. At no extra cost, you can either opt for a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK with power going to the rear wheels. Do note that this is not the same eight-speed PDK found on other 911s.

0-60 takes 3.7 seconds with the manual and 3.2 seconds with the PDK. Opting for the manual gets you Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical locking rear diff, or (PTV+) on the PDK with an electronically locking differential which allows channeling power to the wheel with the most traction.

You can toggle between the various drive modes from a controller sitting on the steering wheel. They include:

You can also choose between two settings for the chassis which are either Sport or Track.

As the GT3 is all about the drive, top-drawer hardware ensures a ride and handling package that is second to none. Also, for the first time on a 911 road car, you get a double-wishbone suspension setup up front along with helper springs, instead of McPherson Struts and a multi-link setup at the rear. This latest GT3 in fact shares this setup with the 911 RSR race car and has double the spring rate compared to the outgoing model.

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) lowers the ride height by 20 mm compared to a standard Carrera. Traction comes courtesy of ultra-high performance summer tires; 255/35 ZR 20 tires at the front and 315/30 ZR 21 tires at the rear.

If you want to let the back end loose, the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) lets you choose between two different settings for traction control. The standard rear-axle steering also further aids handling. Finally, onto the brakes and Porsche has equipped the GT3 with massive 408 mm slotted discs with six-piston calipers up front and 380 mm units with four-piston calipers at the rear.

Now the hallmark of any GT line Porsche is its weight savings and Porsche has gone to great lengths to shave off any unnecessary pounds. Keep in mind that the 992 generation is a larger car overall, and Porsche has managed to keep the overall weight in check with this latest GT3 only gaining 11 pounds as opposed to the old GT3.

Some of the weight-saving measures include:

The exterior design in typical Porsche fashion is very restrained. Being based on the 992 generation 911, a more modern aesthetic with stuff like the four-point LED headlights, comes through. But since this is the GT3, it has a more aggressive look when compared to other 911s, along with a redesigned bumper that’s unique to the GT3.

GT3-spec components like the lowered chin and the motorsport-inspired vented carbon-fiber hood serve as an example. The front diffuser is also manually adjustable for enhanced track performance.

Moving to the side, you’ll find staggered center-lock wheels for the first time on the GT3. 20-inches up front and 21-inches at the rear and this particular design is exclusive to the GT3.

These wheels have a silver finish by default, but you can have them painted in Satin Black, Satin Neodyme, Satin Dark Silver ($1,290), or Satin Black with outer lip in Guard’s Red or Shark Blue ($1,950). If you opt for Porsche Carbon Ceramic brake or PCCB ($9,210), you can for the very first time choose black instead of yellow ($10,110).

One of the distinguishing features of any GT3 is the giant wing at the rear. This generation sees the introduction of what’s called a swan neck wing, where the wing itself mounts below the swan-like stems that hold it in place from the top. The Touring Package doesn’t include this fixed wing.

This design aids in better aerodynamic performance and superior downforce as the wing has more surface area underneath for the air to work with. But you’ll also notice that there is a second duck-tail style spoiler as well.

What further aids the aerodynamics is the aggressive active air diffuser. The results of these aero upgrades are pretty phenomenal over the outgoing model. More than 50 percent downforce in its least aggressive setting and 150 percent more downforce in the most aggressive setting. You get an almost flat floor with some fins and ducting to better channel air on the underbody.

The centrally mounted dual-pod exhausts sound pretty spectacular and they’d better because this is the last naturally aspirated engine, left in the 911 range. But the easiest way to tell apart this GT3 from the old one is by the full-width light bar that debuted on the 992 generation 911.

Step inside and you’re greeted to a high-quality cockpit which is something that you’d expect from a top-tier Porsche. The GT3’s cabin targets the enthusiast and so it ditches the luxury theme of lesser 911s, for a more aggressive track-focused cockpit.

Having said that, unlike so many other GT line Porsche’s of the past, that generally feature stripped-out cabins, this latest GT3 isn’t as spartan and does pack some creature comforts along with cutting-edge tech to make it more livable.

The design and layout of the dashboard is similar to other 992 models. The sporty cabin features materials like carbon fiber ($5,390) and Racetex, which is nothing but Alcantara and they’re available in a range of colors. Porsche Sports Seats Plus with heating, come as standard, while full bucket seats are also available ($5,900). You won’t find any rear seats in the GT3, instead, you can spec the no-cost Club Sport Pack, that’ll get you a roll cage for added rigidity and safety alomg with a fire extinguisher.

You have a couple of handy shortcut buttons sitting above the air vents from where you can control stuff like the axle lift system, the suspension settings, and the traction control system. A quirky detail on the PDK models is that Porsche has thrown in a gear lever that appears to look like the one you’d find on a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.

The driver sits in front of a sporty Alcantara steering wheel which comes as standard. Behind it lies a dual 7.0-inch screen setup with an analog rev counter with a GT3 logo in the center. Both screens are immensely configurable and depending on the drive mode selected, they can display everything from a map to telemetry.

The 10.9-inch center infotainment screen meanwhile supports wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. There’s support for voice assist with navigation, as part of Porsche Communication Management (PCM). As for entertainment, you get a 3-month Sirus XM Platinum Subscription Plan a 150-watt 8-speaker audio system. A premium Bose audio system ($1,600) is also available, should you ever get bored of that howling boxer-six.

One cool piece of technology is the GPS-linked front axle lift system. You just set it up once and the car learns and remembers to automatically raise or lower the suspension based on the location you choose. Also as with any other 911, you also get a frunk, but the one on the GT3 is tiny at just 4.66 cubic feet.

The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 starts at $169,700. You need to shell out an additional $1,300 gas guzzler tax along with $1,450 towards delivery and handling charges. But keep in mind that Porsche does allow you to choose from a frankly exhaustive list of pricey options and when you’re spending top dollar, to begin with, you’d want your GT3 to stand out. So a well-spec’d 911 GT3 should easily hover somewhere around the $200,000 mark.

There are two ways of looking at the competition for the 2023 911 GT3. If you take price into consideration, the GT3 goes up against some established mid-engined heavyweights including the Audi R8, and the Acura NSX. However, if you’re looking at race-tracking attacking competitors, you have a myriad of options across a wide spectrum, made up of models like the BMW M4 CSL, the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, the Nissan GT-R Nismo, and the outrageous Mercedes AMG Black Series. While the GT4 RS and the M4 CSL come in at around 140,000, the GT-R Nismo comes in at $210,000 while the AMG GT Black Series costs a hefty $325,000.

So to sum it up, for the past two decades, the GT3 has represented the most extreme and track-focused 911 that money can buy. However, over the past few years, the 911 has softened into more of a luxury car, rather than an out-and-out sports car. But fret not because Porsche has not forgotten about the hardcore enthusiast. Here are 10 reasons why every gearhead should drive the Porsche 911 GT3. But if for some reason, the GT3 doesn’t cut it for you, a more bonkers 911 GT3 RS is in the works and will break cover soon.

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