Opinion: The ideal garage? A pair of Porsche 911 GT3 Car News

The emergence of what was previously, and deliciously geeky, called “the Touring Package” for the Porsche 911 GT3 is one of the best things Weissach has done for his heroic sports car in recent years. We got through the paddle shift controversy only with the 991-gen GT3, of course; then the return of the GT3 manual with the limited numbers 991-gen R, which looked like a little money to some but, being utterly sublime to drive, was automatically very hard to feel really cynical.

However, all was forgiven when the stock 991 GT3 Touring, stock manual arrived. And now that it’s back, you can have exactly the 911 GT3 you want, to use exactly how you want it, at no additional cost. Who should argue?

Executives at the Porsche company have previously spoken about the demand for a 911 GT3 without a huge rear spoiler. Well, now that such a car is offered as an alternative to a normal GT3 right from the launch phase, we’ll see how many people really prefer the track car look for the road that the GT3 has always traded on, and how many want something a little more subtle.

I’m a fan of the gooseneck design of the car’s new rear aerofoil, I have to say; but it’s definitely more aggressive, and I understand why you might prefer to avoid it, especially if you only anticipate a few track driving opportunities in your car. For me, however, something really distinctive is missing from a GT3 without a rear spoiler. Call me juvenile if you like.

The manual issue versus paddle shifters is not easy either. If I had a Touring it would definitely be for the extra pedal and shifter and the richness that adds to the driving experience on the road. But don’t forget how brilliant Weissach’s track-ready PDK gearbox has become over the years, and how much better it is than what you’ll find on other car equivalents. two-pedal track. If you like to set a fast lap time you will undoubtedly be faster in a PDK, and I also like the disengagement feature it offers. Pull out both paddles, then drop them down again, and you can easily break the traction on the car’s drive wheels and sabotage the chassis as you wish. It’s a tip the rest of the industry continues to miss, and I love it.

Basically I think what I’m saying is that I would need both: a 992 gen GT3 Touring for road driving and a regular GT3 with paddles for weekend track days. Or maybe the latter is a GT3 RS; I would be open to suggestions as soon as I find this Picasso forgotten in the attic.