Skip advert
Advertisement

2017 Porsche 911 GT3 laps the Nurburgring in 7:12.7s

The new Porsche 911 GT3 has set one of the fastest ‘Ring laps in production car history in ‘standard trim’

The 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 has knocked a massive 12 seconds off the benchmark Nurburgring lap time set by its predecessor, clocking 7 minutes and 12.7 seconds in an unmodified ‘standard trim’.

The new model, which has ditched the old 469bhp 3.8-litre flat-six in favour of a 493bhp 4.0-litre engine, now ranks alongside the likes of the Mercedes AMG GT R and the Nissan GT-R Nismo as one of the top ten fastest production cars to have set a time at the ‘Green Hell’.

Advertisement - Article continues below

“By achieving this time, we have emphatically proven that the new 911 GT3 not only provides the best driving experience, but can also deliver an impressive performance on the Nordschleife,” said Porsche’s Frank-Steffen Walliser. “The focus was on optimising the driving quality and adapting to the slight increase in engine power.”

Porsche revealed the updated version of the track-bred 911 GT3 at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, combining the larger, more powerful engine with aerodynamic tweaks, new options in the cabin and even the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox.

As reported by Auto Express late last year, the power increase puts the new 911 GT3 on par with the leaner GT3 RS and ultra collectable 911 R – revealed at the Geneva show in 2016. The same engine could appear soon in a new Cayman GT4 RS collector's item. Despite the swell in engine size, the 911 GT3 still weighs in at 1,430kg.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

In terms of performance, the new GT3 does 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds – four tenths quicker than before - and marches on to a top speed of 198mph when paired with a seven-speed Porsche PDK automatic transmission. 

Alternatively, most purists will welcome the return of the manual gearbox on the GT3. The six-speed sports manual transmission makes the car slower to 62mph – Porsche quoting 3.9 seconds – though top speed edges up to 199mph.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Porsche says that the chassis of the refreshed track-based 911 has been tweaked using the latest knowledge gained from the company’s GT3 racing programme. The basic design of the chassis remains the same, though Porsche says it has been refined, and it still works in tandem with a rear-wheel-steering system plus dynamic engine mounts to create as balanced a drive as possible. 

In terms of design the new 911 GT3 receives some slight alterations – changes Porsche says are further aerodynamic advancements. The car’s front bumper has been altered for better airflow and features new LED lights, while new vents appear at the rear alongside a new diffuser.

In the cabin the GT3 gains the sports steering wheel from the 918 Spyder, while new sports seats are fitted too, similar to the ones found in the 911 GT3 RS. The same seats can be had with electrical adjustment functions. Alternatively, folding sports seats or full buckets made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic make the options list. The Porsche Communication Management infotainment system with sat nav features as standard, including smartphone connectivity, Wi-Fi and the Porsche Track Precision data-logging app. 

Order books for the facelifted 911 GT3 are open now and the new car will cost £111,802 in the UK – the extra power making it £11,000 more than the older model.

Are you happy the manual gearbox is back in the 911 GT3? Let us know in the comments.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hardcore Porsche 911 GT2 RS spied with wild aero and track-ready looks
Porsche 911 GT2 RS - front 3/4

Hardcore Porsche 911 GT2 RS spied with wild aero and track-ready looks

If you can believe it, Porsche’s GT2 RS will be even more extreme than the GT3 RS…
News
14 May 2025
Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records
Mercedes AMG-One at Nurburgring

Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records

Check out the top 10 fastest production cars around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany
Best cars & vans
13 May 2025
Singer takes the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe back to the 80s
Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer - front

Singer takes the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe back to the 80s

Restomod masters Singer has gone back to basics with its new 100-unit 911 Carrera Coupe
News
2 May 2025
Best four-seat sports cars to buy 2025
Best four-seat sports cars - header

Best four-seat sports cars to buy 2025

If you want a sports car but need the practicality of four seats, there are some great four-seat sports car options out there right now
Best cars & vans
29 Apr 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025
New Lotus Emeya 2025 review: the Porsche Taycan has finally met its match
Lotus Emeya - front

New Lotus Emeya 2025 review: the Porsche Taycan has finally met its match

The new Lotus Emeya may not be light, but is great in almost every other way
Road tests
15 May 2025