997GT3 launch chat
Discussion
Porsche provided a decent bash for the new GT3 launch, nice idea to use Thruxton when the cup cars were on circuit, just a shame that it was so far away for some of us, we managed 6 hours travelling & only a few hours at Thruxton.
The PGB team were very accommodating of questions & answers, thought I would post a few points that may be of interest to others who are thinking 997GT3, but couldn’t be there. I haven't included the overall specifications (new PASM,engine upgrade, new gear ratios etc) improvements over 996 etc as this has been well covered before.
Volumes: Official cars will (apparently!) be restricted to "around" an average of two cars per dealer per model year to firm up residuals, presumably that doesn't include independents directly importing, forgot to ask about that, did any one else? Deliveries should start late September/October, as there has been a slight delay on LHD cars, due to component supply.
Tyres: I was told by PGB that UK cars would come on standard N rated road tyres, but this has now changed, it is 100% certain that UK cars will now come with the Michelin (or Pirelli) "cup" sport tyres.
According to the Michelin guy they come with 5mm of tread vs 8mm for a standard tyre, he said they will perform as well as a standard tyre in wet conditions, but are weak in the area of moving deep standing water, e.g. aquaplaning, but he says that it would perform nearly as well as a standard tyre worn down to 5mm tread!
Wear rates should be as per standard tyres, so expect 50% less life (because of the reduced tread depth)! The compound has changed from that used with the M3CS & offers much higher levels of grip in nearly all conditions when compared with standard, also the much stiffer construction helps the suspension work more effectively. Michelin product costs are similar to their N rated Porsche tyres so they expect retail to be only a little higher than standard!!!
One car on view: Unfortunately there is only one car currently in the UK & it is white with white wheels, each to their own & I can see it looking great on track, but all I can say is YUK, this will date!!! With a set of decals as per the 996RS it would look good, but plain white doesn’t work for me. Then again it is a taste thing & if you are into fashion, then white is coming back in…apparently!!! The car was also well optioned so you couldn’t see what the standard car comes with/ looks like, so I had to pick a few brains! The car was in club sport-ish spec with roll cage & fabric bucket seats. Unless you are tracking the car all the time the cage did loose all the rear luggage/carrying space. The buckets provide fabulous support (& save you 20KG), but aren’t easy to get in & out of/adjust fully!
Clearly track day guys will go club sport, but I think standard seats, no roll cage is better for a daily driver.
Interior:All UK spec 997’s come with what is termed “full leather”, but the GT3 doesn’t, (of course the display car did have this option included!) & it does appear that you will need to pay the £1600 optional extra, as it lifts the interior feel good factor & is in keeping with an £80k + car! The display car also included a lot of "extra" carbon fibre touches in cabin, personally I thought it was a bit unnecessary & would work better without, some cash saved!
The Alcantara touches look great as standard & make the interior feel more sporting!
Apparently PCM only adds about 500 grams, so you can spec this without feeling guilty about adding too much weight!
PCCB’s: Ceramics are certainly controversial, but PGB are really pushing these for the GT3, they have been heavily modified from the originals, down to the fact that even the drill hole pattern is now completely changed (presumably to avoid cracking!). They are reported to be the same spec as those used on the super cup cars & it was quoted that some teams have survived a whole season on one set!
The main benefit appears to be in reducing the cars un-sprung weight, hence ultimate handling, according to the Porsche guys they even noticeably improve the ride quality!The only down side now appears to be the extra £5500 involved!
It really does look to be a fabulous car and Porsche seem to be genuinely enthusiastic about the new 997 series, even the MD made an effort to be there for the launch.
What did others think?
The PGB team were very accommodating of questions & answers, thought I would post a few points that may be of interest to others who are thinking 997GT3, but couldn’t be there. I haven't included the overall specifications (new PASM,engine upgrade, new gear ratios etc) improvements over 996 etc as this has been well covered before.
Volumes: Official cars will (apparently!) be restricted to "around" an average of two cars per dealer per model year to firm up residuals, presumably that doesn't include independents directly importing, forgot to ask about that, did any one else? Deliveries should start late September/October, as there has been a slight delay on LHD cars, due to component supply.
Tyres: I was told by PGB that UK cars would come on standard N rated road tyres, but this has now changed, it is 100% certain that UK cars will now come with the Michelin (or Pirelli) "cup" sport tyres.
According to the Michelin guy they come with 5mm of tread vs 8mm for a standard tyre, he said they will perform as well as a standard tyre in wet conditions, but are weak in the area of moving deep standing water, e.g. aquaplaning, but he says that it would perform nearly as well as a standard tyre worn down to 5mm tread!
Wear rates should be as per standard tyres, so expect 50% less life (because of the reduced tread depth)! The compound has changed from that used with the M3CS & offers much higher levels of grip in nearly all conditions when compared with standard, also the much stiffer construction helps the suspension work more effectively. Michelin product costs are similar to their N rated Porsche tyres so they expect retail to be only a little higher than standard!!!
One car on view: Unfortunately there is only one car currently in the UK & it is white with white wheels, each to their own & I can see it looking great on track, but all I can say is YUK, this will date!!! With a set of decals as per the 996RS it would look good, but plain white doesn’t work for me. Then again it is a taste thing & if you are into fashion, then white is coming back in…apparently!!! The car was also well optioned so you couldn’t see what the standard car comes with/ looks like, so I had to pick a few brains! The car was in club sport-ish spec with roll cage & fabric bucket seats. Unless you are tracking the car all the time the cage did loose all the rear luggage/carrying space. The buckets provide fabulous support (& save you 20KG), but aren’t easy to get in & out of/adjust fully!
Clearly track day guys will go club sport, but I think standard seats, no roll cage is better for a daily driver.
Interior:All UK spec 997’s come with what is termed “full leather”, but the GT3 doesn’t, (of course the display car did have this option included!) & it does appear that you will need to pay the £1600 optional extra, as it lifts the interior feel good factor & is in keeping with an £80k + car! The display car also included a lot of "extra" carbon fibre touches in cabin, personally I thought it was a bit unnecessary & would work better without, some cash saved!
The Alcantara touches look great as standard & make the interior feel more sporting!
Apparently PCM only adds about 500 grams, so you can spec this without feeling guilty about adding too much weight!
PCCB’s: Ceramics are certainly controversial, but PGB are really pushing these for the GT3, they have been heavily modified from the originals, down to the fact that even the drill hole pattern is now completely changed (presumably to avoid cracking!). They are reported to be the same spec as those used on the super cup cars & it was quoted that some teams have survived a whole season on one set!
The main benefit appears to be in reducing the cars un-sprung weight, hence ultimate handling, according to the Porsche guys they even noticeably improve the ride quality!The only down side now appears to be the extra £5500 involved!
It really does look to be a fabulous car and Porsche seem to be genuinely enthusiastic about the new 997 series, even the MD made an effort to be there for the launch.
What did others think?
Edited by porkernut on Sunday 4th June 13:28
Thanks for report - v. much what I remember from day also. Slight difference in that my dealer (not one of the larger ones) has already been allocated three cars in first model year and expecting a fourth. Still between now and July '07 I'd call that pretty limited. Diagonal bar on cage removes but you'd still have to 'post' luggage thru. the cross braces behind seats. Pity they can't make the 911 a hatch - that's about the only thing that's better about my AMV8 than my previous car - a 997S - well, that and maybe it's looks as well.
? Re. delays. Both Porsche Press and Marketing guys seemed very open about this at Thruxton. Apparently,yes, the initial delay was eight weeks but they are v.confident of reducing that to four. Hence very first cars will be built mid/late Sept as opposed to mid/late Aug. as originally hoped. Got a guarded smile and "no comment" when I asked about a future 997RSR.
Edited by Pugsey on Monday 5th June 08:25
blow dog said:
www.stuttgart9.co.uk/upload/showthread.php?p=49748
Nice pictures blowdog, difficult to get with all those people crowded around.
sjn2004 said:
If supply is so limited, then we may ask why they are going to so much trouble to market it?
You may well be right & as last time they could over-supply again, but Porsche GB do seem keen to limit supply in the UK,
Don't forget the other big benefit of all the marketing is what they call the halo effect. It is one reason that BMW is so successfull, each range has a rip-snorting M model & the super-fast image rubs off on the 316i!!
I know it is slightly different with 911's, they are all fast, but the GT3 re-emphasizes that Porsche 911's are race bred thoroughbreds!
Pugsey said:
Re. delays. Both Porsche Press and Marketing guys seemed very open about this at Thruxton. Apparently,yes, the initial delay was eight weeks but they are v.confident of reducing that to four. Hence very first cars will be built mid/late Sept as opposed to mid/late Aug. as originally hoped.
Edited by Pugsey on Monday 5th June 08:25
Hope not TOO late in late Sept as we will lose our Summer to test out those michies tyres and performance of the car !
Davey S2 said:
Is it just me that finds it funny to see a car with race seats, harnesses and a half cage which also has 2 ghay cup holders?
Don't underestimate the engineering excellence involved here. They have been specifically designed for holding cups of water during long races, and can cope with up to 1.4 lateral G before spillage occurs.
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