Review: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 is a premium fuel thirsty all motor monster that has a bone to pick with other cars in its respective class such as the Nissan Skyline GTR and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. On the street and on the track these cars can compete with similar performance, but where the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 stands apart from the crowd is in its superior Porsche body styling. With a big wing needed for as much as 200 pounds of down force at high speeds and a mean looking front fascia that is both functional for cooling the brake system and for creating added down force on the front end to keep it on the ground this 911 GT3 is the prettiest lady at the party; and from behind... Nasty wide rear quarter flairs hide the extra wide rear wheel and tire combination, as if Porsche was attempting to be subtle about the amount of meat necessary to keep the back end glued to the ground. Above the bumpers and between the head and taillights are horizontal mesh covered air outlets. Two additional vertical vents on the rear bumper draw hot air out of the engine bay, cooling it two to three degrees; while two ram air scoops placed on the rear decklid force feed the air to the throttle plates.

The GT3 badge has been classically worn by all motor Porsches for some time now, the badge represents normally aspirated race inspired performance on the highest levels; this Porsche 911 GT3 makes as much power from six cylinders then many of its related V8 adversaries. The overhaul to the engine of the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 has been extensive this year, displacement jumped from 3.6 L to 3.8 L by way of enlarged cylinder bores from 100 mm to 102.7 mm that require thicker steel cylinder walls weighing 7.7 pounds more than the previous 911 GT3 motor had. Due to stricter European emission standards the adjustable camshaft system had to be revised which added another 4.4 pounds, yet 2010 Porsche 911 GT3's engine unbelievably weighs 2.2 pounds less than the earlier version. Many lightweight components were used to keep weight down on the vehicle and reduce parasitic loss from excessive rotational mass in the engine such as a modified lighter weight dual mass flywheel, lightweight forged pistons with titanium connecting rods, hollow camshafts and special lightweight intake and exhaust valves; these modifications allow the RPM Max redline to be at 8250 which is 100 RPM higher than the previous GT3. To add more power to the mix the exhaust system was also modified for less back pressure gaining 14.7 foot pounds of peak torque.

So what do we get from all of these improvements? We get 435 hp at 7600 RPM and 317 foot pounds of torque at 6250 RPM. So how fast does this make the Porsche 911 GT3? It will go nor to 60 in 4 seconds and it performs the standing quarter mile in 12.2 seconds at 117 miles an hour. Top speed is in excess of 190 miles an hour. With all that power it begs the question, how will it stop? With 14 inch cross drilled and slotted rotors combined with six piston calipers or the Porsche ceramic brake upgrade can be had for more coin. Accommodating these large brakes are 8.5x19 inch wheels in the front and massive 12x19 inch wheels in the rear, these lighter wheels save a total of 5.5 pounds each. So, you may be asking yourself: In what fashion will I be getting all this power to the rear wheels? The Porsche 911 GT3 still utilizes its contemporary semi synchro Getrag six speed transmission. So, what will the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 cost you? A starting price of $113,150. Sure the Corvette ZR1 and the Nissan GTR are slightly faster, but both of them use forced induction via superchargers or turbos to get there and they will still never be a Porsche.

Source:http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0907_2010_porsche_911_gt3_test/specs.html