Thursday 13th June 2013

Chris Harris video: Porsche 911 GT3

Chris Harris is among the first in the world to drive the new 911 GT3 - see the vid here

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The arguments and counter-arguments over the specification of this car will rage for years to come. It is a fact that in making the new GT3 PDK-only, and giving it rear-wheel steering, Porsche has made the car heavier than perhaps it might have been.

But the 991 is a big car, and yet it weighs nearly 250kg less than a Jaguar F-Type. Isn't that actually quite impressive? Make that very impressive.

Get over it says Harris; here's why we need to

The PDK gearbox is 20kg heavier than the 991's seven-speed manual, which itself is 20kg heavier than the old two-shaft manual from the previous GT3. But the new engine is 25kg lighter than before and, without the PDK as a power source, the rear-wheel steering would need an auxiliary unit, which would add at least 6kg. In other words, the weight penalty isn't so bad. And that's before you consider the profound improvements this new system has wrought on the road.

Anyhow, the debate will continue - too heavy, wrong gearbox, cop-out of an engine specification. Strange how none of this even enters your head when the car is fully-lit with its hips beginning to rotate. You just think you're driving one of the best sports cars ever made: nothing suppresses the philosophical discussion surrounding paddles and sticks like a flat-six at 8,900rpm.

Enjoy the vid - it's a home movie, but it's the first chance to see the GT3 in action outside of Porsche's hands.

[midtec]

Awesome !!!!

I want one

[Rollcage]

Does look good. Child bearing hips!

[Terminator X]

Jammy bd! Best job in the fookin world.

TX.

[Ekona]

Stunning. Great video, and great to watch a man who knows Porsches better than most just enjoy what he has as well as casting a critical eye over the car.

I'm one of the 3 or 4 people who would buy a GT3 now because it's not a manual. So I guess that means that I'll never be on Chris' Christmas card list, but by jove did I enjoy that video. Thanks!

[XplusYplusZ]

It doesn't seem dangerous enough in my opinion, the thing looks so polished that the roll cage seems out of place.. like the car wouldn't ever allow you to lose control.

It doesn't appear to be the raw sports car the GT3 once was. By that I mean there's no place that gaffa tape would seem appropriate to sort out a problem. You wouldn't use zip-ties on this car.

I guess we'll just have to wait for the inevitable limited edition run..

[XplusYplusZ]

Rollcage said:

...Child bearing hips!

A bit harsh, I actually think he's lost some weight.

[Max964T36]

Great informative video as usual! Looking forward to try one of those as soon as they get to the dealers!

[gibbon]

XplusYplusZ said:

I guess we'll just have to wait for the inevitable limited edition run..

There wont be a limited edition gt3 run. There will be an RS i imagine at some point, but thats a little different.

Good review, lovely car, if the only things you dont like about are the modernisation then buy a last of the line 997 II gt3.

[Mermaid]

Easiest GT3 to drive, and for the wider audience the best.

[Oddball RS]

Mermaid said:

Easiest GT3 to drive, and for the wider audience the best.

The above, marketing economics at work.

[Richie200]

A 'piece of work' indeed. Great video Chris

[XplusYplusZ]

gibbon said:

XplusYplusZ said:

I guess we'll just have to wait for the inevitable limited edition run..

There wont be a limited edition gt3 run. There will be an RS i imagine at some point, but thats a little different.

Good review, lovely car, if the only things you dont like about are the modernisation then buy a last of the line 997 II gt3.

You're probably right. And there's no doubting that this will be another landmark in terms of fun fast driving.

[Jandywa]

I hate Harris more and more.

Nothing against the chap, just pure jealousy at the fact he drives these sorts of motors and gets paid for it.

bd.

[matpilch]

seems too perfect to me

[spad78]

Shouldn't be so easy to drive!

[Carl_Docklands]

I don't know about the rest of you but I really enjoyed that video.

Big thanks to the Monkey, great scoop!

Now, I wonder if a childs seat would fit in the back...

[NGK210]

Props for the scoop and a fine vid

The GT3's front-end styling looks soooo much better with the vent below the bonnet - on the regular 991s, the distance between the headlights seems too wide; the vent breaks up the chisel-like appearance. And the rest of the GT3 looks very crispy, too.

Going to pour a glass of vino, roll a Cutters Choice... and watch the vid again, on a 50in plasma and in 5.1

[Mermaid]

[redacted]

[PGNTuscan]

What a great review. And what a car.

Thank you Chris.

[Bencolem]

When I grow up I want to be Chris Harris.