2022 Porsche 911 GT3 First Look Review: Precision Maximized

The Porsche 911 is among the most malleable sports cars in the world. It comes as an all-wheel-drive daily driver, a weekend convertible toy, or a track day weapon. There's a 911 to suit any taste. In its latest 992 generation, the 911 has satisfied all except that last category, until now. The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 just made its debut, and as with previous generations, this hardcore model looks ready to attack your local racetrack.

Though it isn't much more powerful than the outgoing GT3, Porsche says this 992 model shares the closest connection to the 911 race cars of any prior generation. Not only does this look like the perfect track weapon, but it could also be the best 911 available right now.

There will always be people who say all 911 models look alike, but it's pretty easy to spot a GT3 from the Carrera crowd. For starters, the car is available in the GT3-exclusive shade of Shark Blue and matching wheel lips seen here in the pictures. But even without a bold exterior hue, the GT3 sets itself apart with an adjustable front spoiler, vented hood, unique side skirts, and massive rear wing with swan-neck connections. All of these exterior upgrades are functional, helping the GT3 lap the Nurburgring faster than the outgoing GT3 RS model.

Of all the changes made to the GT3, the cabin is the one area where the car remains mostly similar to a standard 911. The limited changes include a Race-Tex-wrapped steering wheel and a GT3-specific PDK gear lever that looks just like the manual. Four-way sport seats come standard, but buyers can also opt for more comfortable 18-way adjustable chairs or full carbon-fiber bucket seats. Since this car was designed with the track in mind, we'd suggest going for the carbon buckets. It appears as though Porsche will also offer the GT3 with a half-cage, but this option won't be available in the United States.

It's not the most powerful 911 variant available, but the GT3 is engineered with driving purists in mind. There are no turbochargers here to mute the sound, just four liters of displacement and six angry cylinders firing horizontally at up to 9,000 rpm. Along with one of the best exhaust notes available right now, the GT3 Cup-inspired flat-six engine produces 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque.

Power is sent to the rear wheels only through either a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission or a no-cost six-speed manual that will be the purist's choice. Porsche quotes a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds with the PDK or 3.7 seconds with the stick. The GT3 will keep accelerating to a top speed of 197 mph.

This car isn't just about straight-line performance, though. Much of the bodywork is made from carbon fiber, and the GT3 uses lightweight glass to shave off a few more pounds. Downforce is 50% to 150% greater than a standard 911, depending on the spoiler position, and the suspension and brakes are both GT3-specific.

Porsche has not released pricing for the 2022 GT3, but the outgoing model started at $143,600. We expect this new model to carry a slightly higher price tag but still stay below the 911 Turbo's $170,800 MSRP. Porsche's expansive options list will likely take the GT3 well over the $200,000 mark, but we still believe it is the best 911 model currently available for enthusiast drivers.

There is no shortage of sports cars and supercars priced around $150,000, but few offer the insane track-bred pedigree of the GT3. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT R is closest with a $165,600 starting price, but that model was recently killed off in favor of the much pricier GT Black Series.