LeftLane announced earlier today (March 4,2013) that Porsche officially unveiled the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show to much acclaim. This newest Porsche 911 GT3 has garnered a bit of criticism as of late for not offering a manual option and opting for an automatic dual-clutch transmission ( this doesn't mean it's a slushbox, just that the computer operates the clutch for you). In addition, Porsche has gone away with hydraulic steering and replaced it with a more efficient electric steering unit based on the standard Porsche Carrera. The Porsche 911 GT3 is all about rewarding the driver for competent skills, and the exclusion of a manual has people wondering if this new 911 GT3 is worthy of carrying the GT3 name. Nothing can be further from the truth.
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is all about simplicity at it’s finest. Offering you less to give you so much more. It’s iconic shape is primeval , part of the landscape that makes up what Porsche's are.
Porsche has replaced the previous generation natural aspirated 3.6 Liter flat six with the 3.8 liter borrowed from the 911 Carrera S. Power comes in at 475 HP and 325 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in at less than 3.3 seconds and top speed has improved up to 195. By the way, it can lap the green monster (The Nurburgring) in less than seven and a half minutes (did you hear that Nissan GT-R).
While many people lament the loss of a manual option, the seven speed PDK tranmission is faster than a human can ever shift. The dual clutch has two options, sport and racetrack.
Its ratio spread is 4.5, down from 6.3 in the regular Carrera PDK (indicating that its gear ratios are more closely spaced. The GT3 also has a shorter final drive than the standard Carrera (3.97: vs. 3.44).
Electric steering replaces hydraulic and Porsche introduces four wheel steering into the mix.The system uses rear actuators to get the rear wheels to turn up to 1.5 degrees. Under low speed, the rear wheels turn opposite the front wheels to improve maneuverability, but under high speed, they turn slightly in the same direction as the front to aid in cornering.
Porsche design has always been about honoring heritage and not being pretentious about it. There is no crazy aero. Just a large front splitter in the front and a honking rear wing in the rear.
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is an exercise in evolution. Not many people will like the absence of a manual, but people will get used to it.
Source: LeftLane
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