Yes, definitely a deal breaker for me ... as the condition from my wife was it being a daily driver and also accommodating kids in the backseats ...neither of that could be accomplished in GT3....I envy it though...it's so freakin awesome!!

 

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet ! It will all come down to a test drive at the end of the day. Lack of rear seats are a problem for me (I actually use them - I pack my wife in there if I need to take a (larger) passenger ) - but I am pretty sure, adding them is not going to be impossible.

When I mentioned to some fellow enthusiasts I ordered a SPASM the comment was pretty universal, something along the lines of "Oh no, that is as hard as a GT3 you'll hate it". Well, it's not. At least not like a 997 GT3. It's firm, yes - but not hard. It's very comfortable, even on rougher roads.

Now, I am fully expecting the new GT3 to be very similar as far as this goes. If that is the case, I may just find myself handing over some more hard earned retirement funds...

Rainier

 

I know this is off topic, but I love reading the above - an objective, factual numeric representation of what a suspension offers and therefore what a car will ride like.

I wish car magazines published spring rates and roll bar stiffness. Perhaps some companies wouldn't disclose? All the confusion about which car handles better could be cleared up quickly. Example: take three cars with chops - Jaguar XK-R; new M5 and a Camaro SS. Once adjusted for vehicle weight, you can figure out which car is stiffer and thus effectively handles better (I know there's more to that equation, but not much more). I imagine a few black eyes might be administered this way if for example, BMW X5s all had relatively stiffer setups than their Cayenne counterparts (which I believe they do).

To me a stiff suspension means 1) dips and undulations at high speeds 90+ won't upset the car as much 2) absent any other technology, a stiffer car will lean less in a corner and 3) MOST importantly (particularly for SUVs) stiffly sprung chassis transition much better from left to right, acceleration to braking etc.. Why aren't all cars and SUVs with performance intentions super stiffly spring - 1 reason.... comfort, it goes out the window with stiff springs. As an American I feel qualified to speak on behalf of all U.S. drivers when I say.. people immediately equate busy uncomfortable rides (like a track car) with cheap! There is the modern automakers headache...how to get the car to handle and still 'feel' regal.

Anyway. Sorry for the off topic rant, but I just wish the spring and roll bar rates would show up in road tests.

Big thumbs up for the new GT3 BTW

Drp

 

I actually think that in its standard setting the new GT3 suspension will be marginally stiffer than 991S SPASM in sport mode. In its sport mode the GT3 will be MUCH stiffer.

Bearing in mind that I find the C2S SPASM in sport mode comfortable as a dd I'm inclined to think that the GT3 in normal suspension mode will be fine. Others may not... having stated that I don't think I'd want to drive the GT3 every day.

So note to Fester, as Rainier states... don't throw the baby out with the bath water just yet!

 

The GT3 configurator is now active on the US website.

 

Thanks! On it right now

 

Most things are standard.
With full leather and stuff mine's working out to around $140k including PCM, sound, etc. deviated stitching is standard!

Serge, this is getting hard to resist!!!! I'm thinking white. Yum!!!

 

Exactly! The only reason I can think of why someone would get the C2S (or C4S for that matter) instead of the GT3 is if they wanted the convertible, or if the rear wing really bothered them.

Even as someone looking at a base C2 the GT3 is mighty tempting.

Did anyone find the front axle lift option? I can't find it in the configurator.

 

Just got to the same number
Now one thing that drives me mad is that there is still no bucket seat option It is available for the rest of the world (like it already was for the standard 991). Porsche needs to fix it.
Right now I am using 18-way seats for daily driving and am swapping 997 GT2 seats for the track (side airbags do not work with the GT2 seats and a lot of the PCM/memory related function are not working properly). IF I ever go for a GT3, I would not want to continue to do this...

 

Standard US GT3 spec

Engine
3.8 liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder aluminum engine
Max. power: 475 hp
Max. torque: 325 lb.-ft.
Engine features
Aluminum block and cylinder heads
Water cooling
4 valves per cylinder
VarioCam camshaft control for inlet and outlet valves
Hydraulic valve clearance compensation
Dry-sump lubrication with separate engine oil tank
On-demand electronically controlled oil pump
Electronic engine management
Electronic throttle
Pressure sensor for determining air mass
Direct fuel injection (DFI)
Cylinder-specific knock control
Two 3-way catalytic converters
Stereo Lambda control circuits
Static high-voltage distribution system with individual ignition coils
Resonance intake system with control valve
Sport exhaust system with two central tailpipes in Black
RACE TRACK button
On-board diagnostics for monitoring emission control system
LEV II - LEV emission standards
Performance and Transmission
7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) with short transmission ratios, GT3-specific sports tuning and RACE TRACK button
Rear wheel drive
Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) including electronically controlled rear differential lock with fully variable standard torque split

Chassis
9 J x 20-inch GT3 forged alloy wheels, platinum colored, with central locking and 245/35 ZR 20 sport tires in front
12 J x 20-inch GT3 forged alloy wheels, platinum colored, with central locking and 305/30 ZR 20 sport tires at the rear
Tire sealing compound and electric air compressor
Electromechanical power steering with variable steering ratio and speed-sensitive power steering assistance
McPherson strut suspension with anti-roll bar at front, chassis bearings partially with ball joints
LSA multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar at rear, chassis bearings partially with ball joints
Porsche Stability Management (PSM) with ABS, ASR, ABD and MSR
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with sport tuning and a lowered ride height of approximately 30 mm compared to 911 Carrera
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with race track mode
Adjustable chassis for race track use (toe, camber, anti-roll bars)

Brakes
6-piston aluminum fixed monobloc calipers front and 4-piston aluminum fixed monobloc calipers rear
Brake discs with 380 mm diameter front and rear, all discs internally ventilated and cross-drilled
ABS (integrated in PSM)
Brake pad wear indicators
Brake Calipers in Red
Electric parking brake

Body
2-seat Coupe
Intelligent lightweight construction with aluminum-steel composite
Fully galvanized, lightweight shell
Fixed rear wing, individually adjustable
Front fascia with integrated cooling air intakes including titanium-colored grills, spoiler lip, and air outlet opening
Underbody paneling with rear diffuser
“PORSCHE” and “GT3” logotype on rear lid in Black
Aluminum luggage compartment lid, front fenders, doors, roof panel and elements of the bodyshell
Rear lid in plastic with one-piece ram air box
Water-repellent coating on door windows
SportDesign exterior mirror on door panel
Grey top tint on windscreen

Electrical Systems
Power windows with one-touch operation and door seal protection
Rain sensing windshield wiper system with aerodynamic wiper blades, 2 wiper speeds, adjustable intermittent wipe and heated washer nozzles
Electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors on door panels
Heated rear glass window
CDR audio system with 7-inch color touchscreen, radio with dual tuner, 4 speakers, 2x25 watt integrated amplifier, single CD drive with playback of MP3 format music
Universal audio interface (AUX-IN) in the glove compartment for connection of external audio sources
HomeLink(R) programmable garage door opener
Interior lighting with variable dimming
Reading lights, luggage compartment lighting, orientation lighting, ignition lock and vanity mirror lighting in LED technology, as well as footwell lighting, glove compartment, and exit lights
Three 12-volt plugs (passenger side footwell, glove compartment, enclosed center console storage compartment)
Power release button for front and rear lid
Cruise control

Lighting Systems
Bi-Xenon(TM) headlights with dynamic headlight leveling
Separate auxiliary light modules in front fascia with daytime running lights, position lights, front and side LED flasher repeaters, and darkened front light modules
Tail lights incl. back-up light, rear fog light and turn signals as well as the high-level third brake light and license plate illumination in LED
Reflectors integrated in rear fascia
Driving light assistant with Automatic welcome home lighting

Instruments
Integral cluster of 5 round instruments
Analog gauges for revs, speed, oil temperature, coolant temperature and fuel level
Central rev counter and high-resolution 4.6-inch TFT color display with on-board computer functions, white illumination
Instrument dials in black with yellow pointers and increment markers
Rev counter with titanium-colored dial, "GT3" logo, gear and upshift indicator

Safety and Security
Full-size airbags for driver and front passenger
Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP), side impact protection in the doors, thorax airbags integrated in the side bolsters of the seats, head airbags integrated in door panels
Three-point automatic seatbelts, with buckle on seat
Seat belt pretensioners and force limiters
Remote central door locking incl. release for luggage compartment lid
Engine immobilizer and alarm system with radar-based interior surveillance

Climate Control Systems
2-zone automatic climate control with separate temperature controls for driver and front passenger side, automatic air circulation control incl. air quality sensor
Active carbon filter
Green tinted heat-insulating glass

Interior
Sport seats Plus with raised side bolsters, electric backrest and height adjustment with mechanical fore/aft adjustment
Integral headrests in front seats with GT3 logo stitched in Platinum Grey
GT3 SportDesign steering wheel with shift paddles, Alcantara steering wheel rim and leather covered airbag module in Black, manual height and fore/aft adjustment
Black leather seats with seat center in Black Alcantara(R), backrest shells painted Silver Grey
Black interior with elements in Black Alcantara(R): door handles, door panel armrests, center console storage lid, rear center tunnel trim and roof lining including C-pillar trim
Interior components in Brushed Aluminum: dashboard decorative trim and center console trim
Dual cupholders integrated behind decorative dashboard trim above glove compartment
GT3 gear selector with Black Alcantara(R) handle, GT3 logo on the gear selector trim surround
Storage compartments in each door
Elevated center console with open storage compartment and a closed storage compartment with a 12-volt outlet
GT3 logo on the door entry guards, rev counter, and rear cover

Colors
Exterior solid colors: Black, White, Guards Red, Racing Yellow
Interior standard colors: Black

 

Quite right Serge. I think it may some homologation related issue or something legal... race seats implies race car implies not fit for road implies lets get sued!

 

It probably comes down to US crash testing.

 

Truly amazing, can't wait to see it live! Thanks for posting pics and videos.

 

30mm lower than base Carrera ?
That is a deal breaker for me. The SPASM I have at 20mm lower is fine. But only just ! Any lower and I'm out. 10mm lower and I'll have to move to another country .

Oh well, just have to wait for the Turbo. Hope the price will be just as good a surprise as the GT3.

Rainier

 

It seems that some US dealers have had allocation notices already and preconfigured cars assigned. Anyone know about this?

Btw, although the front axle lift option (1 inch lift) is not on the configurator it is apparently available as: 474 Front axle lift system $3,490

First deliveries are scheduled for December.