Initial impressions of 991.2 GT3 on track (compared to 991.1)
#1
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Initial impressions of 991.2 GT3 on track (compared to 991.1)
A fellow driver was kind enough to let me do a few demo laps in his 991.2 GT3. I didn't push his car the way I would my own, but I think the pace was sufficient to gauge the car. After doing thousands of laps in my 991.1 GT3, here are my impressions of the differences.
- The .2 shifts a bit faster, closer to instantaneous.
- The .2 is a bit louder at higher revs. The quality of the soundtrack is similar.
- The .2 has an increment more power and torque, but it's not a big difference.
- The steering of the .2 feels a bit lighter, and I think it's slightly better overall than the .1.
- Brakes might be a bit better on the .2, but not sure, since we had different pads and my pedal was a bit spongy.
- The handling of .2 is significantly better. My guess is that it's mostly due to better damping control. The car is planted during braking, including in bumpy brake zones, and generally soaks up bumps better without rolling or pitching much. This makes the car easier to drive and inspires more confidence and control, including during corner entry.
Overall, I would say that the .2 is a somewhat better version of .1, not a fundamentally different car. I find them to be much more the same rather than different. My learning curve with the .2 was close to zero, felt immediately familiar yet better in some ways. I don't feel a strong urge to upgrade to the .2 GT3 at this point (especially give the extended engine warranty on the .1), but if I could get my hands on a .2 GT3 RS at a reasonable price, I might be interested (I was on a list, but never got an allocation).
I expect that the 992 GT3 will be pretty bonkers.
- The .2 shifts a bit faster, closer to instantaneous.
- The .2 is a bit louder at higher revs. The quality of the soundtrack is similar.
- The .2 has an increment more power and torque, but it's not a big difference.
- The steering of the .2 feels a bit lighter, and I think it's slightly better overall than the .1.
- Brakes might be a bit better on the .2, but not sure, since we had different pads and my pedal was a bit spongy.
- The handling of .2 is significantly better. My guess is that it's mostly due to better damping control. The car is planted during braking, including in bumpy brake zones, and generally soaks up bumps better without rolling or pitching much. This makes the car easier to drive and inspires more confidence and control, including during corner entry.
Overall, I would say that the .2 is a somewhat better version of .1, not a fundamentally different car. I find them to be much more the same rather than different. My learning curve with the .2 was close to zero, felt immediately familiar yet better in some ways. I don't feel a strong urge to upgrade to the .2 GT3 at this point (especially give the extended engine warranty on the .1), but if I could get my hands on a .2 GT3 RS at a reasonable price, I might be interested (I was on a list, but never got an allocation).
I expect that the 992 GT3 will be pretty bonkers.
#2
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Sounds like a .2 to me. Thanks for the feedback! Waiting for details on the 992 as well. The jump from the 997.2 to 991.1 was pretty huge, so expecting the 992.1 to be a similar leap, which should be insane. Plus, lots of special GT models coming for the 992 gen. Should be interesting.
#3
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Thanks for the report. Are you running the DSC controller or any other suspension mods in your .1? I have no reference to compare my .1 to other then to a GT4 and GTS and I've never tracked my .1 without the DSC (I moved it over when I bought mine last fall.) I felt my car is much more stable under braking then the GT4 or GTS other then fighting the worn out cup 2s.
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Yep, I've been expecting 50th Anniversary of 73 Carrera RS for years, but also realized that same year (Model Year 2023) will be 75th Anniversary of Porsche (1948). So lots of excuses to build lots of interesting/limited models (which they've already said they plan).
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Thanks for the report. Are you running the DSC controller or any other suspension mods in your .1? I have no reference to compare my .1 to other then to a GT4 and GTS and I've never tracked my .1 without the DSC (I moved it over when I bought mine last fall.) I felt my car is much more stable under braking then the GT4 or GTS other then fighting the worn out cup 2s.
I forgot to mention that, even though this particular .2 is really pretty, I still think the .1 looks better.
#6
"... I don't feel a strong urge to upgrade to the .2 GT3 at this point (especially give the extended engine warranty on the .1" I share similar sentiments. I'm looking ahead to the 992 GT3 as well. If I did upgrade, in the interim though, it would be for that engine!! The 4.0L is just insanely good.
#7
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Manifold, which color 991.2 GT3 did you drive?
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TPC Racing stats:
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup Am Champion
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge GT4 Pro-Am Team Champion
2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup & 991 Cup Champion
2020 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
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TPC Racing stats:
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup Am Champion
2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge GT4 Pro-Am Team Champion
2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge 992 Cup & 991 Cup Champion
2020 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
2018 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge 2nd Championship
2016 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
2013 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
2006 Rolex-24 @ Daytona GT Champion
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#8
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#9
991.2 - 4.0 is a different beast !
suspension much better.
suspension much better.
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#11
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After the first lap, I said something like "this thing is so easy to drive, it pretty much just drives itself," which is of course what owners of 991 cars hate hearing from owners of older Porsches!
#12
I made the same experience. When I test-drove the .2 I expected a WOW-moment regarding the engine but it was totally different. I don't felt a power difference, .2 is a bit more meaty at lower rpm but .1 feels more racy because of the sharper power development / topend rush. But really not much of a difference. I also missed the gear-rattle and the brutal upshifting. .2 PDK is faster but softer.
What I noticed emmidiately (and I was very surpriced because I dind't expetetd it) was the much more planted ride. The difference is much more noticable than the light power difference.
What I noticed emmidiately (and I was very surpriced because I dind't expetetd it) was the much more planted ride. The difference is much more noticable than the light power difference.
#13
A
- The handling of .2 is significantly better. My guess is that it's mostly due to better damping control. The car is planted during braking, including in bumpy brake zones, and generally soaks up bumps better without rolling or pitching much. This makes the car easier to drive and inspires more confidence and control, including during corner entry.
.....
After the first lap, I said something like "this thing is so easy to drive, it pretty much just drives itself,".
- The handling of .2 is significantly better. My guess is that it's mostly due to better damping control. The car is planted during braking, including in bumpy brake zones, and generally soaks up bumps better without rolling or pitching much. This makes the car easier to drive and inspires more confidence and control, including during corner entry.
.....
After the first lap, I said something like "this thing is so easy to drive, it pretty much just drives itself,".
#14
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I made the same experience. When I test-drove the .2 I expected a WOW-moment regarding the engine but it was totally different. I don't felt a power difference, .2 is a bit more meaty at lower rpm but .1 feels more racy because of the sharper power development / topend rush. But really not much of a difference. I also missed the gear-rattle and the brutal upshifting. .2 PDK is faster but softer.
What I noticed emmidiately (and I was very surpriced because I dind't expetetd it) was the much more planted ride. The difference is much more noticable than the light power difference.
What I noticed emmidiately (and I was very surpriced because I dind't expetetd it) was the much more planted ride. The difference is much more noticable than the light power difference.
interesting that comment. I agree the 991s and especially the .2 is very well damped the general stability of the ca s makes them pretty easy to drive quickly..... But yet when one drives say an older 997 refitted with really top class dampers which work every bit as well if not better than the factory .2gt3 suspension one never gets the 'too easy to drive' feeling.
I should qualify my 'easy to drive' comment by clarifying that it's 'easy' up to about 8/10ths. Reaching for 10/10ths, I don't find the 991.1 GT3 to be easy to drive, and I imagine that the 991.2 wouldn't be either. And of course, the challenge is a big part of the fun!
#15
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Yeah, definitely the biggest change in the .2 was the offering of a gearbox that invited the rest of us to the party (who have to have a Manual).