5 Things We Hope to See in the Upcoming 911 GT3
The 911 is the patriarch of the Porsche family, with an instantly recognizable shape that has evolved over more than 50 years. The 911 GT3 is typically the barely legal version of the ultimate 911 race car, and a new one is due this year.
1. Stay True to the 911 Spirit
Since its debut at the '63 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Porsche 911 has been a heavyweight presence in the sports car world, as well as a signifier of discerning taste, and skill behind the wheel, for the driver/owner. No matter how the 911 GT3 drives, it is imperative that it holds true to the 911's longstanding feedback, and communication with the driver. Like the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche have always managed to balance innovation and their original ideas about the car. It would be surprising if the latest iteration suddenly broke off the course and became a digital supercar with tons of computer driving aids, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.
2. Organic Steering Feel and Weight
One of the most hotly debated engineering choices in 911 history was Porsche's fitting of the car with electromechanical steering. Compared with the conventional power steering the 911 had in previous iterations this new addition slightly improved upon the car's fuel economy. This is in keeping with Porsche's recent push for efficiency, but fans of the 911 say the car lost its distinctive feel, and steering feel affects the driver experience of a sports car. Although efficiency is important in commuters and daily drivers, we're hoping that Porsche will choose a more befitting system for a car barely removed from the race track, like the GT3.
3. Meticulous Engineering Details
If there's anything that sets Porsche apart from other top performance automakers, it's their attention to detail and willingness to take engineering as far as humanly possible. The more you look into a modern 911, the more you'll be astounded. Take, for instance, the minor choice of using carbon-fiber hinges; the light weighted material ultimately saves an entire kilogram off the 911's overall weight. It's such an insignificant difference and barely noticable, but you can't bash Porsche to exploring every possible option. In fact, that's part of the appeal. With the new 911 GT3 it's hopeful that they'll find even more new ways to blow us away.
4. Improved Efficiency
These days, everybody hopes to get some extra bang for each buck at the gas pump with a new vehicle; even a 911. In keeping with the times, Porsche have geared their latest engineering towards squeezing the most efficiency out of their cars. Some choices, like the electric power steering, have been met with polarized views, but they've given every fan reason to keep their hopes high. Hybridized 911s are coming any model year now, but chances are the race sanctioning organization wouldn't approve of it, so you can expect the GT3 to remain more traditionally powered. You can expect all the latest aerodynamic tricks to increase downforce and decrease drag, to make the most of the power for speed and fuel economy.
5. Push the Specs even Higher
Is it possible? With the kind of meticulous wizardry the guys behind Porsche dish out each time, it seems impossible and even unfair to hope -- but they keep doing it. The Porsche 911 is priced high, and the GT3 is even more expensive, but for its cost Porsche has made sure to refine their cars close to perfection as humanly capable. Although efficiency and reliability are more relevant to everyday use than raw means that the performance will be cranked way up compared to the more common 911 variants.
For the official Porsche press release about the 2017 GT3, click this link.
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