997 GT3 road test by Autocar...
02-07-2007, 01:24 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
997 GT3 road test by Autocar...
997 GT3 road test by Autocar...
BACKGROUND:
"The evolution of the Porsche 911 has given us some of our most cherished enthusiast icons: the delicate but angry 1970 ST and ’73 Carrera RS, the storming sequence of Turbo 911s, the mighty 964 and 993 RS, and in 1999 the GT3. Named after and conceived for the FIA sporting category of the time, the GT3 was less about shedding kilos and more about speed, technology and driver-focused dynamics. At its core was a much more exotic and stronger flat six. This powerplant, originally designed in turbocharged form for the fearsome GT1 racing car, evolved with the spikier 381bhp Mk2 GT3 in 2003. Now, with countless race victories in international competition worldwide and a stranglehold on the wealthy end of the track day market born from a typical Porsche mix of durability and speed, the 997 GT3 has arrived..."
VERDICT: ***** (5 stars)
"The 997 GT3 is a beautiful example of a car fulfilling its design brief. Outstandingly rapid on a circuit, blisteringly fast and yet beguilingly usable, it builds on the merits of the old car and then some. Whether you drive it flat out or slowly, it’s full of drama, character and involvement, and it’s the most enjoyable all-round performance car currently on sale."
BACKGROUND:
"The evolution of the Porsche 911 has given us some of our most cherished enthusiast icons: the delicate but angry 1970 ST and ’73 Carrera RS, the storming sequence of Turbo 911s, the mighty 964 and 993 RS, and in 1999 the GT3. Named after and conceived for the FIA sporting category of the time, the GT3 was less about shedding kilos and more about speed, technology and driver-focused dynamics. At its core was a much more exotic and stronger flat six. This powerplant, originally designed in turbocharged form for the fearsome GT1 racing car, evolved with the spikier 381bhp Mk2 GT3 in 2003. Now, with countless race victories in international competition worldwide and a stranglehold on the wealthy end of the track day market born from a typical Porsche mix of durability and speed, the 997 GT3 has arrived..."
VERDICT: ***** (5 stars)
"The 997 GT3 is a beautiful example of a car fulfilling its design brief. Outstandingly rapid on a circuit, blisteringly fast and yet beguilingly usable, it builds on the merits of the old car and then some. Whether you drive it flat out or slowly, it’s full of drama, character and involvement, and it’s the most enjoyable all-round performance car currently on sale."
Last edited by Boxster Coupe GTS; 04-04-2009 at 06:46 PM.
02-09-2007, 09:19 AM
#4
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BoxsterCoupe added more to the original post on renteam. I'm cut and pasted:
997 GT3 - TRACK NOTES
"A sensational track performance from the GT3, destroying our dry circuit lap record by two seconds, with a 1:12.5 lap time (compared to Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 time of 1:14.7). Obviously, the Cup tyres make a big difference, pulling over 1.1g around the final corner and providing superb through the S-bend of turn 2 – usually a rapid and repeated change that doesn’t suit a 911. And the superb brakes pull the car down to turn 1 with awesome power."
"The GT3 is sensational for entirely different reasons on the wet circuit. To be fair, the tread was slightly worn on the Cup tyres, but even so it struggled to put any power down, proving hopelessly slow on the main straight. What it did allow was fabulous drifts through most of the corners, although this required serious throttle and steering control."
997 GT3 - AUTOCAR TEST SCORECARD
ENGINE (5 stars)
Weight-saving efforts mean the flat six unleashes an incredible 114bhp per litre and spins to 8400rpm. Utterly, utterly wonderful.
TRANSMISSION (4 stars)
A superbly tight gearchange with a pure, mechanical feel, but ratios are a bit long for UK driving. Clutch is heavy in traffic.
STEERING (4½ stars)
Ideal for weight and accuracy, although it doesn’t have as much feel as that of the 996 GT3.
BRAKES (5 stars)
Optional ceramic discs are close to perfection: strong, feelsome and highly resistant to fade. They also save 20kg.
HANDLING (4½ stars)
Usual 911 rules apply on cornering technique, but immense grip levels and adjustability for the experienced driver.
RIDE (4 stars)
Considering the operating brief, remarkably comfortable. Sport setting is for billiard table-smooth racetracks.
ECONOMY (3½ stars)
One of the better supercars, which is to say it likes a drink, but can be surprisingly frugal when cruising.
DRIVING POSITION & VISIBILITY (5 stars)
Superb sporting driving position as you’re sat very low in the car. Typically excellent 911 visibility all round.
INSTRUMENTS & CONTROLS (4 stars)
Well laid out with everything you need, but minor switchgear looks and feels ordinary. Roll cage restricts rear space but looks the business.
EQUIPMENT (3½ stars)
Reasonably equipped, but add extras (all too easy to do) and the price soon starts to escalate.
LIVEABILITY (3 stars)
You could use it every day, but the question is more whether you’d actually want to. Fairly practical, but a rich experience perhaps best savoured on the right occasion.
QUALITY (5 stars)
Feels immensely solid, both structurally and mechanically. This is a car you could enjoy for 20 years or more, no doubt.
VALUE (4 stars)
Save the options list, the basic price is somewhat of a bargain considering the cross-country pace and performance on offer.
SAFETY (4 stars)
Six airbags (four with the bucket seats) but no ESP, only traction control. Immense brakes help.
TRACK WORK (5 stars)
In its element here; smashed our dry circuit lap record (by two seconds) with ease. Heroic brakes, grippy Cup tyres and plenty of power.
DESIRABILITY (4½ stars)
To those in the know, this is about as good as it gets. To others, it’s just another 911...
NOISE (5 stars)
Awesome – especially with sports exhaust open – from a deep rumble to an ecstatic howl. Pedestrians will hear it long before they see it.
AUTOCAR VERDICT ***** (5 STARS)
"The 997 GT3 is a beautiful example of a car fulfilling its design brief. Outstandingly rapid on a circuit, blisteringly fast and yet beguilingly usable, it builds on the merits of the old car and then some. Whether you drive it flat out or slowly, it’s full of drama, character and involvement, and it’s the most enjoyable all-round performance car currently on sale."
The drivers’ car of choice...
997 GT3 - TRACK NOTES
"A sensational track performance from the GT3, destroying our dry circuit lap record by two seconds, with a 1:12.5 lap time (compared to Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 time of 1:14.7). Obviously, the Cup tyres make a big difference, pulling over 1.1g around the final corner and providing superb through the S-bend of turn 2 – usually a rapid and repeated change that doesn’t suit a 911. And the superb brakes pull the car down to turn 1 with awesome power."
"The GT3 is sensational for entirely different reasons on the wet circuit. To be fair, the tread was slightly worn on the Cup tyres, but even so it struggled to put any power down, proving hopelessly slow on the main straight. What it did allow was fabulous drifts through most of the corners, although this required serious throttle and steering control."
997 GT3 - AUTOCAR TEST SCORECARD
ENGINE (5 stars)
Weight-saving efforts mean the flat six unleashes an incredible 114bhp per litre and spins to 8400rpm. Utterly, utterly wonderful.
TRANSMISSION (4 stars)
A superbly tight gearchange with a pure, mechanical feel, but ratios are a bit long for UK driving. Clutch is heavy in traffic.
STEERING (4½ stars)
Ideal for weight and accuracy, although it doesn’t have as much feel as that of the 996 GT3.
BRAKES (5 stars)
Optional ceramic discs are close to perfection: strong, feelsome and highly resistant to fade. They also save 20kg.
HANDLING (4½ stars)
Usual 911 rules apply on cornering technique, but immense grip levels and adjustability for the experienced driver.
RIDE (4 stars)
Considering the operating brief, remarkably comfortable. Sport setting is for billiard table-smooth racetracks.
ECONOMY (3½ stars)
One of the better supercars, which is to say it likes a drink, but can be surprisingly frugal when cruising.
DRIVING POSITION & VISIBILITY (5 stars)
Superb sporting driving position as you’re sat very low in the car. Typically excellent 911 visibility all round.
INSTRUMENTS & CONTROLS (4 stars)
Well laid out with everything you need, but minor switchgear looks and feels ordinary. Roll cage restricts rear space but looks the business.
EQUIPMENT (3½ stars)
Reasonably equipped, but add extras (all too easy to do) and the price soon starts to escalate.
LIVEABILITY (3 stars)
You could use it every day, but the question is more whether you’d actually want to. Fairly practical, but a rich experience perhaps best savoured on the right occasion.
QUALITY (5 stars)
Feels immensely solid, both structurally and mechanically. This is a car you could enjoy for 20 years or more, no doubt.
VALUE (4 stars)
Save the options list, the basic price is somewhat of a bargain considering the cross-country pace and performance on offer.
SAFETY (4 stars)
Six airbags (four with the bucket seats) but no ESP, only traction control. Immense brakes help.
TRACK WORK (5 stars)
In its element here; smashed our dry circuit lap record (by two seconds) with ease. Heroic brakes, grippy Cup tyres and plenty of power.
DESIRABILITY (4½ stars)
To those in the know, this is about as good as it gets. To others, it’s just another 911...
NOISE (5 stars)
Awesome – especially with sports exhaust open – from a deep rumble to an ecstatic howl. Pedestrians will hear it long before they see it.
AUTOCAR VERDICT ***** (5 STARS)
"The 997 GT3 is a beautiful example of a car fulfilling its design brief. Outstandingly rapid on a circuit, blisteringly fast and yet beguilingly usable, it builds on the merits of the old car and then some. Whether you drive it flat out or slowly, it’s full of drama, character and involvement, and it’s the most enjoyable all-round performance car currently on sale."
The drivers’ car of choice...
02-09-2007, 10:06 AM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
997 GT3 road test - Autocar Comparison...
997 GT3 road test - Autocar Comparison...
F430
"Exquisitely designed and wonderfully lithe Supercar. Rides particularly well; chassis very composed. Brilliant engine."
VERDICT: 4½ STARS
Gallardo
"The beast. Might engine and able chassis. Weighty, feelsome steering. Lighter than F430 but doesn’t feel it. Good ergonomics."
VERDICT: 4½ STARS
Exige S
"The only other car here that’s equally up to a hard track day followed by a road-going thrash home. Light and fast."
VERDICT: 4½ STARS
911 GT3
"Exceptional road and track car. Phenomenal pace, surprising usability, brilliant handling and really good value."
VERDICT: 5 STARS (OUR CHOICE)
F430
"Exquisitely designed and wonderfully lithe Supercar. Rides particularly well; chassis very composed. Brilliant engine."
VERDICT: 4½ STARS
Gallardo
"The beast. Might engine and able chassis. Weighty, feelsome steering. Lighter than F430 but doesn’t feel it. Good ergonomics."
VERDICT: 4½ STARS
Exige S
"The only other car here that’s equally up to a hard track day followed by a road-going thrash home. Light and fast."
VERDICT: 4½ STARS
911 GT3
"Exceptional road and track car. Phenomenal pace, surprising usability, brilliant handling and really good value."
VERDICT: 5 STARS (OUR CHOICE)
Last edited by Boxster Coupe GTS; 08-24-2009 at 04:22 AM.
