Porsche reveals first-ever convertible 911 GT3 S/C
Love your Speedster but hate the fiddly roof? Porsche has heard you...
Porsche’s new CEO Michael Leiters is on a mission to turn the company’s fortunes around after it reported plummeting profits towards the end of last year. Among the changes, as we've already heard, is the jettisoning of a new EV platform and more resources aimed at 'even more desirable' products, with ‘emotive new derivatives’ in the pipeline. Well, the first one of those derivatives is upon us, and it’s called the 911 GT3 S/C.
Nope, it’s not a 911 Speedster, but rather a GT3 Cabriolet with a proper automated folding roof. Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger claims that Speedster and Spyder buyers have been asking for a drop-top GT3 where they don’t need to physically fasten a fabric roof once the heavens open. He also revealed that the GT3 Cabrio idea has been on the table since the 997, though it took a recent gap in its carbon fibre supplier’s production line for it to become a reality. That, and the fact that Porsche had 911 Cabriolet and GT3 prototypes lying around gathering dust, so Preuninger and the gang set about transferring all the track-focused hardware to the drop-top, with the end result convincing them to press on with the S/C.
In that regard, the GT3 S/C is a bit of a parts bin special. The carbon fibre bonnet and front wings have been plucked from the 911 S/T, while the deeply sculpted carbon doors come from the GT3 RS. The back end, meanwhile, is mostly 911 GT3 Touring, including the small spoiler integrated into the rear panel above the light bar. Naturally, it doesn’t have as much downforce as the regular GT3, though apparently it’s not far off Touring’s number, and aerodynamically speaking, is evenly balanced from front to rear. Only the rear arches and folding roof mechanism, which takes just 12 seconds to open or close, have been taken from the Carrera Cabriolet, the rest scooped from the GT3, Touring, RS and S/T spares shelf.
The same goes for what's underneath. Despite lopping the roof off, the suspension has been lifted entirely from the GT3 Touring, right down to the spring rates and geometry. Preuninger admits this was a stroke of serendipity, though it didn’t come as a complete surprise given how solid convertibles need to be these days to pass crash tests. Porsche remains tight-lipped about what’s been done to strengthen the chassis - the cabrio said to only weigh around 30kg more than the 991 Speedster - with Preuninger simply calling the S/C’s torsional rigidity “extraordinary”.
A word you could easily assign to the engine. It’s the 4.0-litre naturally-aspired flat-six from the 992.2 GT3, with 510hp arriving at 8,500rpm. That’s paired with a six-speed manual gearbox that’s eight per cent shorter than the final ratio in the old 911 Speedster. And if you’d prefer a PDK? “Buy a GTS”, says Preuninger, bluntly. The manual is a whopping 28kg lighter than the dual-clutch option, which was critical in nudging the S/C into the same homologation process as the GT3. Any heavier and it would have needed to be reassessed in a higher weight class, adding further time and expense that would have very likely impacted the price. More on that in a bit.
Additional weight-saving measures include standard carbon ceramic brakes and forged magnesium wheels from the 911 S/T, shedding 20kg and 9kg respectively, while the rear seats have been rejected for extra storage. Having seen the S/C in the metal, it does admittedly look a little strange from some angles because a) it emphasises the blank space between the backs of the rear seats at the rear bulkhead and b) all that remains is an empty void in place of the minuscule rear bench. Fortunately, Porsche has developed a new (optional) storage box much like the cubbies you’d find on older 911s, only now with the lids placed on top rather than directly behind the front seats.
Up front, Porsche has developed a new set of optional carbon fibre bucket seats, specially designed with larger airbags on the outside bolsters to improve crash protection. The gear lever, meanwhile, is the shorter unit found on the 911 S/T, otherwise it’s standard 992 fare, much of which will depend on how many options you tick. If you’re feeling especially flush, Porsche’s offering a new ‘Street Style’ pack, which adds graphics down the sides and wings, plus an exceptionally jazzy interior with woven leather tartan. It’s a new technique for the company, and you’ll find it not only on the seats but in the glove compartment as well. Sir Jackie would be proud.
Perhaps the best part is that Porsche isn’t limiting production. You’ll almost certainly need to be on extremely chummy terms with your local dealer, but it’ll be a silver lining for those who missed out on a Speedster allocation back in 2019. Even if you’re not keen on the retractable roof, it’ll probably be worth putting your name down just to get your hands on the GT3 RS and S/T hardware. And at £200,500, it’s a fair bit cheaper than the aforementioned specials, if a little over £40k more than a regular GT3. Still, you’ll be forking out another £60k for this 991.2 Speedster, though if you don’t mind something last century, this 964 Speedster could be yours with £10k back in change. Decisions, decisions.
This, though, is bizarre. I feel it spoils the credibility of the GT line of cars. I hate it the same as I hate the M4 convertible. Why would you buy a track special and then cut the roof off (unless you have a carbon tub).
But I also like the Boxster Spyder, so you can consider me a total hypocrite and move on to the next comment.
I bet the engine will sound glorious with the roof down. It does seem a little weird that it exists, but I'm sure it's a hell of an experience!
hes when Ferrari launch an 'aperta' open version of their special sports car (458 Speciale, 488 Pista, 812 competitione, etc) so not sure why Porsche GT department have held back so long - not for me, but that doesn't mean it won't be exactly what others want. They are in the business of trying to sell motorcars after all. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff