New Touring Package Set to Hit the 911 GT3

There is still hope

Let me begin by saying my deepest condolences for those folks who snatched up 911 Rs in the hopes of making money hand over fist for the no-frills fighter. Porsche is dropping another vehicle that caters to the audience that was left frothing at the mouth for a car that delivered old-school standards in a new school package. We have here the new 2018 911 GT3 with a (wait for it) manual transmission and tweaked 4.0-liter flat six engine for all the Porschephile who desire to row their own gears. The subject of this article, the Touring Package, comes exclusively on those GT3s that are equipped with a manual transmission. 

>>Join the conversation about the 911 GT3 Touring Package here in Rennlist.com.

It's a great callback

The nomenclature of "Touring Package" goes back to a variant of the 911 Carrera RS from 1973. Revealed to the world at the 1972 Paris Auto Show, the special model was a 2.7 RS that featured a larger engine, wider flares to fit the Fuchs alloy wheels, stiffer suspension setup and a ducktail spoiler.

This new variant of the 2018 GT3 is clearly the fruition of the rumored "heritage" pack that was talked about in various automotive circles earlier this year. It could also be the first response to collectors who snatched up the 911R only to horde them away and out of the hands of those would be owners who wish to enjoy the car out on the open road. The R owners still have some things on their cars that are missing on the Touring Pack GT3 such as a lighter magnesium roof and carbon fiber body panels. Those changes give the R a 100-pound advantage over the Touring if optioned with an A/C and radio delete. Plus the R still has the appeal of being part of a 991 unit production run. 

>>Join the conversation about the 911 GT3 Touring Package here in Rennlist.com.

Why should the 911R have all the fun?

The Touring Package for the GT3 slices and dices the car into a sleeker sleeper version, if there ever was such a Porsche, of the car. The large rear wing gets replaced with an adaptive, adjustable flap similar kind of like the one found on a normal Carrera. That's really the biggest change from the Touring Package and what it does to the GT3. Other visible exterior changes are a more aggressive front bumper and center lock wheels. The rear lid grille sports the "GT3 Touring" logo and the side windows include silver-colored strips. With the "Black Exterior Touring Package" option all of the changes to the model are in black as they are with the 911 GT3. In addition to that, the front and rear lights will be dark-tinted. 

>>Join the conversation about the 911 GT3 Touring Package here in Rennlist.com.

The same... but different

The 500 horsepower is still there. The suspension and options including the Ceramic Composite Brakes are still there. All that good stuff is still there. Inside the car, you'll find leather and Alcantara finished interior with a seat for a driver and passenger. The steering wheel has a twelve o'clock marker on it and the seat centers are upholstered in black fabric with the cabin trim in black aluminum.  The cabin is a bit Spartan, but that's because you should be focused on the road and not pressing random buttons on the console. However, those who want some unique flair added to their car do have the option of picking from a range of exterior paints and wheels. 

>>Join the conversation about the 911 GT3 Touring Package here in Rennlist.com.

How and where to get it

The new 911 GT3 with the Touring Package will set your wallet back $145,000 but that is still a bargain when you look at what second-hand R trims will cost you. You can pick up the car in 2018 with dealers taking orders now for the no-cost option check on a GT3 order form. 

>>Join the conversation about the 911 GT3 Touring Package here in Rennlist.com.

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