The
Porsche 911 GT3 is a high performance version of the
Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a long line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS. The GT3, named after the FIA GT class for which it was intended, has a 3.6 litre
naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine, based on the unit used in the
Porsche 962 and
Porsche 911 GT1 race cars.
A number of variations, designed for both road and track, have been added to the range since its launch in 1999. The current range (997) includes two road and three racing models. In addition to this,
Porsche is currently developing a hybrid version that uses two
electric motors and a
kinetic energy recovery system, as initially developed for Formula One.
The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one make national
Porsche Carrera Cup series, the international
Porsche Supercup, and also winning numerous championship and endurance races, including the GT class of the
American Le Mans Series seven times, the
24 Hours of Daytona outright and the
24 Hours Nürburgring five times.
Engine and transmission
The engine of the GT3 sets it apart from most of the other
996 models although it shares the same basic 3.6 liter displacement of the standard 996 type so-called "integrated dry-sump" flat-six engine. Along with those of the GT2 and Turbo, it is actually based on the original
air-cooled 911's versatile, true dry-sump crankcase, with an external
oil tank. The original version of the GT3 had ,...
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