Currently reading: Porsche unveils 911 GT3 Touring Package as 'purist's' 911

After the success of the 911 R, Porsche has revealed another enthusiast-focused, manual-transmission 911 GT3 derivative

Porsche has unveiled an alternative to the rare and high-priced limited-volume 911 R in the form of a new 911 GT3 model featuring a so-called Touring Package.

The new 911 GT3 with the Touring Package, which made its world debut at a media function on the eve of the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, is the latest in a line of road-focused models aimed at purists intent on securing one of the last remaining 911 models featuring a naturally aspirated engine.

But, unlike the similarly conceived 911 R, which was limited to 991 units and has commanded exorbitant prices on the used car market since its introduction in 2016, the 911 GT3 Touring Package will be produced as a regular model on an open-ended basis without a cap in volume.

The 911 GT3 Touring Package harks back to a variant of the 911 Carrera RS offered in 1973. Like the earlier 911 R, it combines traditional 911 GT3 styling with that of the standard 911. Up front, it features the same bumper assembly and air ducts as Porsche’s standard race-bred model. The rear, however, receives a more understated look, with an automatically deploying spoiler assembly from the standard 911 Carrera, complete with an additional Gurney flap and a unique grille insert bearing a GT3 Touring logo.

Porsche GT boss Frank Walliser told Autocar in Frankfurt that there's "huge demand in the market for a GT3 without a wing".

The new model also receives the same rear bumper as the standard 911 GT3, with large air ducts to extract hot air from the engine bay.

Other exterior touches include headlight washer system covers, highlights around the side windows and sport exhaust tailpipes all in silver. Buyers can specify a so-called 'Black Exterior Touring Package' to change these elements to black.

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In a further departure from the standard 911 GT3, the internal headlight graphics and tail-light lenses are darkened in colour.       

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Mechanically, the rear-wheel-drive 911 GT3 Touring Package is identical to the recently facelifted standard 911 GT3. Power comes from the most powerful and largest capacity naturally aspirated version of Porsche’s classic flat six-cylinder petrol engine. With a displacement of 4.0 litres, it delivers 493bhp at 8250rpm and 339lb ft of torque at 6000rpm. The rear-mounted unit also has the distinction of being able to rev to 9000rpm.

Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox and mechanical locking differential. Porsche claims the same 0-62mph time as the standard 911 GT3 at 3.9sec. However, the 911 GT3 Touring Package cannot quite claim the same top speed, with 196mph versus the standard car's 198mph.

Inside, the new model swaps the Alcantara accents of the standard car for genuine leather trim. It is used on the steering wheel, gear lever, door panel armrests, centre console storage compartment lid and door handles. The seat centres are upholstered in black fabric, while the headrests feature an embossed Porsche logo. There’s also black aluminium trim applications within the dashboard.

The 911 GT3 Touring Package rolls on 20in centre lock wheels - 9.0in in width up front and 12.0in in width at the rear. They are shod with 245/35 and 305/30 profile tyres respectively. Clothed in the same aluminium body as the 911 Carrera 4, the new model is 44mm wider than the standard 911 Carrera. A lowered suspension also sees it sit 25mm closer to the ground.

Among the new model’s innovations is a standard rear-wheel steer function. It steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction as the front wheels for added agility at lower speeds and in the same direction as the front wheels for greater longitudinal stability at higher speeds.

Related stories: 

Porsche 911 GT3 review 

Porsche 911 R review 

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Ryan Bane 12 September 2017

no, no Porsche!

It should be air cooled, have unassisted steering, swing arm rear suspension, floor mounted pedals, no electronic driving aids (but keep Apple Car Play and 18 way electric seats of course)