After Porsche announced the 911 R there was some disappointment at its limited numbers – the manual 911 GT3 we wanted, but few could have. Porsche has remedied this. At the recent 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Stuttgart-based brand revealed the Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package – a manual 911 GT3 a-la 911 R, but with no limitation on numbers, making it the manual GT3 that everyone can have – for a price.
The Touring Package nameplate harks back to the classic 1973 Carrera RS, but the new 911 GT3 with Touring Package updates the concept to something a little more contemporary. The Touring Package is aimed at, in Porsche’s words, “enthusiasts of high-quality sports cars who value an understated appearance and pure driving dynamics.”
Beneath the rear deck-lid sits the standard 911 GT3’s naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat six engine. Outputs sit at 368kW (500hp) and 460Nm, with all of that reaching the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox – rejoice! Porsche claim that with optimal gear changes, 0-100km/h is reachable in 3.9 seconds, with top speed being 316km/h.
The Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package features more changes than just a manual gearbox, though. The bodywork remains primarily the same as standard 911 GT3, with the exception of the rear and the head- and taillights which aren’t tinted as darkly as the standard GT3. The main structural differentiation is the omission of the GT3’s fixed rear wing – replaced instead by the classically styled extending rear spoiler from the series-production 911, with an aerodynamic gurney flap for additional downforce. The rear lid bears the “GT3 touring” logo.
Other changes to the bodywork are more subtle, including silver trim detailing on the side windows, sports exhaust tailpipes, and headlight washer covers, as well as the Porsche logo on the rear. A Black Exterior Touring Package changes those elements to black, and adds darker tinting to the head- and taillights.
In combination with the Touring Package, the Porsche 911 GT3 can be equipped with all other options packages from the regular GT3, with the exception of the Clubsport Package and Alcantara equipment ranges. Standard equipment on the Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package includes Porsche Communication Management, the Connect Plus module, and the Porsche Track Precision app, enabling drivers to display, record, review, and analyse detailed driving data of their exploits via the app on their Smartphone.
The Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package is available in South Africa for a price of R2 750 500, sans options.
