Glad the hype had died down from the current GT3? It’s about to get going again!
There aren’t many cars that get a chat going on PistonHeads quite like a 911 GT3. Whether it’s the trouble with getting hold of one, the secondhand market or – should anyone dare – how utterly fabulous they are to drive, the conversation is never brief.
With engine fires, an automatic-only phase and the reappearance of a Touring model, the 991 provided plenty to talk about. Still kinda does, in fact, with the Speedster on the way. But that’s all made to seem like yesterday’s news with the emergence of these new 992 spy shots. Photographed testing in the Arctic Circle just this week, the next GT3 is expected as a 2020 model – which makes sense when you think about it, as the 991 GT3 arrived in 2013, or two years after the base Carrera.
With that arrival not all that far off in the grand scheme of things, there are a few clearly recognisable GT3 traits in this development mule. Note the twin central exhaust pipes, rear arches seemingly wider even than the already broad Carrera, a dramatic fixed rear spoiler and vented bonnet. The yellow calipers on this car would imply ceramic brakes, although the discs look like iron – those of greater knowledge, feel free to contribute now.
Given a hybrid 992 is not expected until at least the mid-life facelift, it would a surprise verging on shock to discover any petrol-electric tech on the GT3. As so much was invested in the 4.0-litre flat-six for the 991 facelift, it would seem logical for that engine to continue here. Furthermore, with the uptake of both the manual gearbox and Touring package higher than expected, we’d bet on those appearing in the GT3 range again. Given the 9,000rpm 991 first made its debut at Geneva in 2013, we’d bet on a debut in the same place next year. Plenty more to follow before then…
[Images: S. Baldauf/S.B. Medien]
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