Can anyone point me to a picture of the 997 GT3 seats we'll be getting in the USA? All of the pix in magazine articles appear to show the Club Sport carbon buckets which won't, apparently, be available here.

My concern is with the fitment of 5-point harnesses. Does anyone know if there are harness slots in the seatbacks/bottom cushions?

-Karl

 

Here you go. The alcantra on the seats is kinda hard to see.

GT3 interior with sports seats

 

Karl, you can expect the US version of the 997 GT3 seats to be identical to the current 997 Sport Seat option with the addition of the Alcantara center panels.

 

Thanks to both. Looks like I may need to go with aftermarket seats, since I'll be installing 5-point harnesses.

-Karl

 

I currently have full leather in my '04 C4S. I'm ordering an '07 GT3. What exactly is the benefit, if any, of Alcantara? How will the seats wear? What about the steering wheel and shifter? Is Alcantara exclusive to the GT3? If so, is there value in not adding a lot of interior options? I'm planning on using my GT3 as a daily driver and for occasional track time. I'm sorry for all the questions but I want build the right options into the car. Any thoughts?

 

this is the reputed NA version

 

Saw a 997 TT Wednesday that had lots of Alcantara in the interior. Functionally, the suede-like surface is grippier, and resists sliding around better than leather. I thought it looked great in the TT, but I haven't a clue about durability.

-Karl

 

LOL!

btw, those OMP 997 GT3 seats go for about $5k, pretty outrageous + they're made in Italy, home of the "eventual express" order system.

In other news, Recaro has hired a new COO (John Seever) and will be making their own problems with availability and wait-lists a thing of the past. We'll see if Porsche re-signs with Recaro.

 

Alcantara provides far better 'grip' for the occupants and, IMO, looks more 'sporting' than full leather.

Also, it is more temperature neutral - it doesn't feel as hot in summer or as cold in winter when the car has been left standing.

 

funny because I drove a friend's family owned Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 and I found the alcantra to heat up with my body to an uncomfortable level in the first five minutes...

 

Thanks for your feedback! I'm going to go with the Alcantara.

 

I think it looks great, too. I'm going to go with the Alcantara. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Anyone know the exact reason why we can't have the Carrera GT seats?
They must be approved as the CGT has them fitted in the US!

 

According to the latest Car & Driver the 997 GT3RS will come with "bolt-in rollbar and lightweight seats with six-point belts". I assume these are the CGT seats. PAG and PCNA have opted to differentiate the RS and base version with a few special additions.

Here is a picture of the base GT3 with CGT in Alcantara.

Thanks.
Chet

 

I am pretty sure that they have to be approved in the chassis in question. In other words, you would have to crash test the GT3 with both the CGT seat and the sport seat to make them both available. It simply doesn't factor in to the equation that the seats are already approved for the CGT.

This is why some suppliers of specialty models have included a box of parts in the trunk for "track only" fitment by the customer. This circumvents the red tape. So maybe they can fit the rollbar, harnesses and CGT seats in the trunk, right next to the lightweight body panels and lightweight glass.