The Porsche brand was built around the 911, and the GT3 is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown. But can it claim to be Zuffenhausen’s best-ever sports car?
If Mr. Spock had seen a Porsche 911 in 1964 and then returned again for a bit of R&R in 2007, he would have no difficulty in recognizing a Porsche 911 as being..... well, a Porsche 911! The 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 is no different, and carries the lineage of the original 1973 Ducktailed Carrera RS, complete with THAT rear wing!
The first road-going version of the GT3 was built in 1998 (The very year that Ferdinad, “Ferry”, Porsche passed away). This, the first of the water-cooled 911’s sold well, by Porsche standards. But with plenty of styling cues and mechanical components shared with other models, it never felt the love from Porschephiles.
But with the 997, the 2007 Porsche GT3 was about to don the crown as the Uberführer of the brand. Riding low to the ground on one-piece, nineteen-inch aluminum wheels, the GT3 when dressed up in Carrera White, reminds you of a Detroit Rapster; and with all the ducts for brake cooling, ram-air engine intake, and aerodynamic efficiency, it carries more scoops than an F15 fighter.
While from the rear, the central dual exhaust outlets disappear into obscurity, dominated by the adjustable rear wing, which could easily support a fully laden 747. Surprising details about The Porsche 911 GT3 reveal that the integrated Gurney flap generates 50 lbs of downforce. The only problem is that you have to be rocketing along at a speed approaching 200 Mph to suck up every last gram.
Ferry Would Be At Home In The 2007 Porsche GT3’s Luxury Office
The cockpit layout is characteristically Teutonic Porsche that’s been around since the beginning of the Porsche 911, which is something akin to a business suit; comfortable, understated but classy. The Alcantara trim on the steering wheel, gearshift lever, and assorted interior surfaces break what would be a monotonous sea of dark grey leather. Air conditioning, a CD player, and six airbags come standard; with the navigation system optional.
At first glance, the instrument cluster is a bit like a TAG Heuer watch, with ALL the functions. But get a bit closer, and the Ferry-touch is obvious. True to Porsche's design philosophy, the centerpiece is dominated by the large Revcounter, with two smaller gauges on either side keeping track of water and oil temps, oil pressure as well as a speedo and fuel gauge.
One of the best devices ever thought up is the PERFORMANCE button. Not only does it stiffen up the suspension to full race, but unleashes another 20 hp.
Under The Skin Of The Porsche 911 GT3 Beats The Heart Of An Athlete
The GT3 is born as a Carrera 4 body-in-white on the assembly line in Zuffenhausen. The space meant for the front axle is used to cradle a 17.7-gallon fuel tank. Some structural modifications were also made to accommodate the packaging of the engine, transmission, and oil reservoir.
Put on a strict diet of aluminum (mainly trunk lid and doors), the GT3 weighs in at a muscular (Rather than athletic) 3250 lbs. However, being muscular doesn’t ensure longevity, unless the heart is suitably exercised.
Each cylinder head is cast integrally with three cylinders, then bolted to a split crankcase, housing an eight-bearing crank. With all that rocking and rolling, dry-sump lubrication, and exotic weight-saving components like titanium rods, forged pistons, sodium-filled valves, and hollow-cast camshafts are also used, to ensure the internals remain internal up the 8,400RPM bloodline.
This gives the 3,797 cm³ water-cooled, flat-six a very healthy work rate of 415 hp at 7,600 RPM, while with 299 lb-ft at 5500 RPM the GT3 could comfortably be used to plough a whole field of Bavarian Hobs. From the firing of the starter's pistol, these attributes will see 60 mph flash by, in an official 4.0 seconds with a top end of 193 mph.
The GT3 is the natural evolution of Porsche and its love affair with racing, forming the road-going basis of the world's most popular race car (more than 1500 were built between 1998 and 2007). But a good racing car usually means a ride that requires a full-time chiropractor and a hefty kidney belt.
To solve this Porsche has given Dr. Jekyll the Porsche Active Suspension Management to ensure he drives to the party as Mr. Hyde. The PSAM allows drivers to alter the dynamic character of the car by pushing a button to vary the shock valving on the three-way adjustable Bilsteins.
The training of the GT3 was overseen by none other than ex Rally star, and full-time test driver, Walter Röhrl, and as can be expected behavior on the road is exemplary. So much so that it was crowned "the best handling car in America" by Motor Trend. A far cry from the very early 911’s that were corner balanced before they left the factory – just to get them to handle on the road.
All of this adds up to a very competent motorcar, but is it enough to award the 2007 Porsche 911 the title of Zuffenhausen’s best-ever sports car?
The Title Of Zuffenhausen’s Best Ever Sports Car Goes To…
At half-trot, it's just an expensive Porsche. But provoked to the limit, it changes into Dr. Jekyll, becoming one of the best over-the-counter track cars available. And honestly, that's what the GT3 is built for. On the street, it lacks the visual drama and prestige of a Ferrari, to justify the premium over a run-of-the-mill 911.
This athlete is most at home being thrashed through the turns of a mountain pass or with tires squealing, on the edge, through the Corkscrew. Listening to the feral growl of the trick exhaust with the butterflies open and gases routed directly to the muffler, may just confer on the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 the title of Zuffenhausen’s best-ever sports car - possibly even being ranked as one of the 10 best sports cars of all time.