Nizer

Listen to prior Prueninger release videos of GT3/RS/4.0 and paring weight comes across as religion with the GT3. That's not the case with this car and the stats confirm it:

2009 GT3 1395kg

2010 GT3 RS 1370kg

2011 GT3 RS 4.0 1360kg

2014 Carrera S w/Auto 1415kg

2014 991 GT3 1430kg

So the new GT3 not only weighs well more than its predecessors, it also weighs more than the underlying Carrera on which it's based. And this with a 9A1 engine claimed 25kg (55lbs) lighter than the Mezger it replaces and a body in white claimed 13% lighter than the 997 shell it replaces.

So where did all the weight come from?

We know at least the following:

Automatic transmission (PDK) + 30kg (66lbs).

Rear Steering +15kg (32lbs) incl hardware and larger battery.

GT2 vs CGT seats are about +10kg (22lbs).

Center console? Extra sound deadening?


The other interesting observation is the disconnect from racing and the Cup car with this release. Rewatch the prior-gen GT3/RS/4.0 release videos and you hear constant references to the Cup car, how the GT3 is as close to a race car as it's possible to get, yadda, yadda, yadda. That's totally muted with this latest release.

Strikes me that the sales guys raided the hen-house with the 991 GT3.

911rox

CL were lighter too... They forgot to mention they were 50lbs lighter when you lost a wheel... Disregard all the claims of weightloss... The confirmed weight speaks for itself... 1430kg... So much for the 50-100lbs of weight savings being suggested many months ago.

The battery required to run the rear steer is probably so large that the car will be classified a hybrid!

James Herne

The heavyweight direction the "fan car" is going, is definetely wrong. After I drove a Lotus, I realized it might be the new Porsche for me. I have driven Porsches continuously since 1996.

jumper5836

911 GT3 is 44 millimetres wider than a 911 Carrera S across the rear axle.
The large, fixed rear wing.
380 mm diameter Brakes

PDK probably is beefed up for the GT3
Maybe they added rust protection and a now it will get more then a 3 year rust warranty

kosmo

spot on!


also, why isnt there more carbon fiber on this car? the Trunk, Roof, engine cover and Wing? Lastly the "lighter" wheels- P says the 20'' forged are lighter than the cast 19's. Well wouldnt Forged 19's be ever lighter?

-eztrader-

these should all be options -----

seats, 19 inch wheels, rear steer, trans, - -- people should be able to order their car roughly 100lbs lighter if they choose

Mvez

+100.

It's amazing to me that in this age where manufacturer is working on weight loss, that their "harcore", "Cup based" track car actually gains weight. Lighter chassis, body shell, and engine, plus the costs for all lightweight CRP and CF are coming down more and more. Very sad. Jesus, even BMW's target weight for the new M3 is about 300lbs less than the E92, and that's not even a hardcore "GT" car like the GT3.

Porsche (uh, I mean VW) dropped the ball. Hopefully they will redeem themselves with the RS.

Andreas knew after 2012, he would be VW's bitch, hence why we even got the 4.0. Then he could make the calls, but now, clearly somebody else is in charge of final decisions on the GT cars, and it shows, big time. It was even admitted that the gimmicky 4-wheel steering was originally intended for the 991 Turbo, but some corporate douche had to ruin the GT3, and try to make it the void filler in the Porsche lineup to try and steal sales from upmarket buyers of the 458, MP412C, and Audi R8 V10's.

I never thought I'd say this, but kudos to Audi for at least still offering a 6spd manual in the R8.

sfo

standard 991 are all significantly lighter than their 997 equivalents

kosmo

even BMW w/ the M3 and M6 offers a CF roof. C'on Porsche!

Alan Smithee

This was predicted by some of us. Porsche used all of the weight saving tricks the previous GT3s benefitted from (aluminum where possible, no sunroof, etc.) on the standard 981/991 models. Add in the heavier duty go-fast parts (giant brakes, wider bodywork, etc.) and gizmos (rear wheel motors), and it is no surprise the GT3 is heavier (~350 lbs more than the Spyder by Porsche's own specs!).

No doubt the RS will have some CF to offset this.

aussie jimmy

rs should get all this stuff.

911rox

RS will probably get an extra 30kgs and solid gold cup holders so you know who's boss when they pull into the coffee shop carpark for a cuppa on the run

Fact is, if they'd started with 4.0rs as a platform on the new chassis (assuming its actually lighter) and worked on dropping 50-75kg, they'd have a rocket ship...

zanwar

A rocket ship is exactly what they've built.

Sierra Mike

+1

DrJay

I agree.