Porsche 911

The rules that brought the 911 GT3 to life have gone, but the reason for buying such a car hasn't changed. If you want the finest-handling, best-built and most carefully engineered performance machine money can buy, you won't go far wrong with the new GT3. Even rivals twice its price cannot match the grace of its handling, nor the delicacy of its controls.

First seen in 2000, the Porsche 911 GT3 is a baby compared with other specials from the firm, but has quickly established itself as a pinnacle of the line-up.

Conceived to help Porsche meet the rules for a new class of endurance racing, the GT3 took the manufacturer's impressive track technology to the road with a series of homologation specials.

Those rules have since changed, but Porsche hasn't abandoned the high-performance model - and now there's an all-new version. With 410bhp, lightweight bodywork and fresh suspension, it promises to be the fastest yet.

There are special wings and wheels, plus a new interior where the steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake gaiters are suede. A centrally mounted rev counter incorporates a shift light, telling the driver when to change gears.

The GT3's 3.6-litre flat six-cylinder engine is similar to the outgoing car's, but power has risen from 381bhp to a massive 410bhp at 7,600rpm. There's a higher rev limit, too, so the distinctive- sounding unit spins up to 8,400rpm.

For improved acceleration, ratios in the six-speed gearbox are shorter, providing devastating mid-range performance. As a result, Porsche claims that 0-100mph takes only 8.7 seconds.

However, the facelift is not without controversy. For the first time, the GT3 uses Porsche's Active Suspension Management system (PASM). Even though this revolutionises the handling, purists who loved the previous car's no-frills, pared-back design have branded it an unnecessary distraction. Still, the system is versatile, letting the driver switch bet-ween suspension settings, including a stiffer Sport mode for track use.

The GT3 is also fitted with electronic traction control derived from the Carrera GT, as well as a mechanical limited-slip diff. On the road, vast 19-inch wheels and sticky tyres ensure incredible grip, but this car's talent is its quick yet very graceful response to driver inputs. It feels totally composed at all times.

As on many other 911s in the line-up, the brakes are absolutely incredible. Among the most powerful available on any road model, they help the coup� shed its speed extremely quickly.

But the question remains: is this the ultimate Porsche? Drivers chasing the last word in 911 performance are sure to argue over this issue. For some, the new suspension limits the appeal; for others, it's the icing on the cake.

In either case, the fact remains that there aren't many faster point-to-point cars on sale - and even fewer that are such good fun to drive.