The Porsche 911 GT3 will always be a hot topic on PH (no fire pun intended). Whether it's the availability of upcoming cars, the seemingly endless group test victories of the current iterations, or the values of previous heroes, the debate is always impassioned and involved. It's a car so much of us all have an interest in, so it stands to reason really.
We're back in the familiar realm of GT3 replacement angst at present - surely the next car can't match the thrills of what preceded it; no doubt it'll be too big, too heavy, too complex. This time, however, there are grave concerns, as big if not bigger than when the 991.1 was initially launched as PDK only. Because at this stage the rumour mill (based on reliable sources but unconfirmed by Porsche) says that the 992 generation will by turbo only. Erk. For a car with so much appeal in its powertrain, that would be a huge and not uncontroversial move.
Still, it's yet to be corroborated by anyone in an official capacity yet so let's look on the bright side for now. Or, more specifically, let's look at the latest spy pics because clearly they provide us with the comprehensive idea of what the next GT3 will look like.
Certainly even in this form there's no mistaking it for an ordinary Carrera, that incredible rear wing being the most obvious differentiator. The supports surely wouldn't have been out of place on a Cup car of not long ago, the spoiler itself as wide as that full-width rear light bar. Then a second kicked up spoiler beneath it, to be sure. The centre third brake light is more prominent than the regular Carrera, the tracks predictably wider and the twin-exhaust arrangement similar to today's GT3.
Elsewhere there's a cage just about visible through the glass, chunkier brakes, Cup 2 tyres, centre-lock wheels and more prominent front intakes. Everything you would expect see, basically, so make your own comments now about 911s always looking the same.
Given the 992 Carrera will be shown at the LA Motor Show, we'd expect the GT3 to follow pretty soon behind - although it's been suggested that the model won't actually go on sale till 2020. Turbos or not, history teaches us it'll probably be worth the wait.
[Images: S.Baldauf/S.B.Medien]
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