Three and a half years on from the debut of the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3, it is now the turn of its facelift iteration which emerges on the 25th anniversary year of the GT3 nameplate, which launched with the 996-generation car in 1999.
This time around, the GT3 is revealed with the wingless Touring package as well as in its customary track-ready, bewinged version, whereas the Touring has only emerged some months after the GT3 with the prominent rear wing with swan-neck stays.
Being a facelift of the current-generation 911, the ‘992.2’ iteration GT3 brings visually subtle changes to the bodywork, with the main headlamp assemblies handling lighting duties and the auxiliary light strips at the leading edge of the front bumper on the pre-facelift car now omitted to make room for larger air inlets for improved airflow towards the front brakes and radiators.
Further revisions are applied to the underbody of the 992 GT3 facelift, where updated underbody panels improve airflow and thus the overall aerodynamic balance. The engine lid at the rear has also been redesigned for improved airflow into the engine. The tail end of the bewinged GT3 gets redesigned rear wing end-plates which now get a slight outwards angle.
On the Touring, or the 911 GT3 with Touring Package to give its full name, this takes after its predecessors in swapping the prominent rear wing for an extendable rear spoiler as found on 911 Carrera derivatives albeit with an added Gurney flap, along with changes to the front and its underbody relative to the bewinged GT3 to retain aero balance.
Under the engine lid, the naturally-aspirated 3,996 cc boxer six-cylinder engine returns to provide the thrust and the music. While peak power remains unchanged from before, with 510 PS at 8,500 rpm, outright torque is the casualty, taking a drop – for the first time in the GT3 lineage – to 450 Nm at 6,250 rpm, down from 470 Nm in the 992.1 GT3; peak engine speed remains at 9,000 rpm.
As with the pre-facelift, both seven-speed dual-clutch and six-speed manual transmission options are available on the 992.2, and both now get 8% shorter final drive ratios to address the torque shortfall, via a mechanical LSD on the 6MT and an electronically controlled, active LSD on the PDK.
Previously the preserve of the even more hardcore RS variants, the 911 GT3 can now be optioned with the Weissach Package, and this lightweighting measure can also be applied to the Touring, where it is called the Leichtbau (Lightweight) Package.
Common to both Weissach (GT3) and Lightweight (GT3 Touring) packages are weight-saving measures which are the carbon-fibre bonnet, roof, rear-anti-roll bar and drop links, and rear axle shear plate. The Weissach-spec GT3 gets carbon-fibre for the rear wing as well. For the Touring specified with the six-speed manual transmission, the Lightweight package brings the shorter gearlever from the 911 S/T, and a ‘Leichtbau’ badge on the lever surround.
Magnesium-alloy wheels measuring 9.5J x 20-inch front and 12J x 21-inch rear wheels on 255/35R20 front and 315/30R21 rear tyres, are standard on the Lightweight Package for the GT3 Touring, but available separately on the Weissach-equipped GT3. These save nine kg compared to the standard aluminium wheels of the same dimensions.
Both also bring weight-saving interior components such as pared-back door trim, carbon-fibre interior door handles. All in, the 992.2 GT3 in its lightest form, a Touring with the six-speed manual, weighs 1,420 kg.
More improvements are made for the 992.2 GT3 in the chassis department. Layout continues to be of double wishbones in front and multi-links at the rear, though now the facelift brings shorter bump stops (by 27 mm in front, and by 24 mm at the rear) for improved compliance such as when attacking racetrack kerbs.
The 992.2 GT3 also pulls a few leaves from the GT3 RS book, starting with teardrop-profile lower wishbones to reduce lift and redirect airflow for brake cooling. Also from the GT3 RS is the anti-dive system, made by front control arms which now sit at a steeper angle to counteract compression forces under braking, and thus reduce dive.
Braking equipment on the GT3 continues to be offered in two specifications; a standard spec with a cast-iron disc set with 408 mm front discs and 380 mm rear discs, and the PCCB carbon-ceramic brake set, with 410 mm front discs and 390 mm rear discs.
Inside, a new bucket seat design brings folding functionality, and saves seven kg compared to the standard-fit Sports Seat Plus specification. Featuring a thorax airbag, electric height adjustment and manual longitudinal adjustment, the new folding bucket seat offers removable headrest padding to make room for a more comfortable head position while wearing a helmet.
In addition to the no-cost Clubsport option pack (steel half-cage with harnesses and a 2 kg handheld fire extinguisher) for the GT3, a carbon-fibre rollcage can be optioned, while the 992.2 GT3 Touring marks the first time a 2+2 seating configuration can be specified on a GT3.
Instrumentation follows the 992.2 facelift in a shift to fully digital instrumentation via a 12.6-inch curved display. The GT3 duo get configurable displays, including a classic racing-style layout with the 9,000 rpm limit at the 12 o’clock position, as well as the Track Screen option that pares back information to the essentials, such as tyre pressure and temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel level and water temperature.
Whereas the regular Carrera variants have also moved to a more commonplace engine start/stop button, the GT3 versions retain the twist ‘key’.
As is customary now, the latest iteration of the GT3 line gets its own matching set of timepieces, here being the 911 GT3 chronograph and 911 GT3 Touring Package chronograph. Exclusively for owners of the 992.2 GT3 and GT3 Touring, both feature COSC-certified Porsche Design WERK 01.200 movement, with a rotor that replicates the wheel design. Got the Weissach pack-equipped car? Matching watch rotor it is.
2025 Porsche 911 GT3
2025 Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package
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