2015 Porsche 911 GT3 in Riverside

Chassis

The chassis of the new 911 GT3 has been engineered to meet the challenging demands of motorsport – and for this reason it also provides extremely sporty day-to-day driving. The ride height of the new 911 GT3 is 30 mm lower than that of the 911 Carrera. In conjunction with a series of specifically tuned chassis components, this offers extraordinary agility, a high degree of driving safety and stable handling, particularly in corners.

The independent front suspension combines McPherson-type struts with longitudinal and transverse links. The rear axle has a multi-link suspension, following the LSA (Lightweight, Stable, Agile) concept. Height, camber, track and the anti-roll bars can be individually adapted for use on the racetrack. Additional ball joints on the front and rear axles help to establish a particularly firm connection between the chassis and the body.

An optional lift system at the front axle raises the front end by 30 mm. Operable up to a speed of approximately 50 km/h, it minimises the risk of grounding on kerbs, ramps and car park entrances.

Rear-axle steering

Fitted as standard, the new rear-axle steering combines performance and everyday practicality. An electromechanical adjustment system at each rear wheel enables the steering angle to be adapted based on the current driving situation, steering input and vehicle speed. The advantage for day-to-day driving: during low-speed manoeuvres, the system steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction to that of the front wheels. This has the virtual effect of shortening the wheelbase. The turning circle is reduced to make it easier to park. The advantage for sporty driving: during high-speed manoeuvres, the system steers the rear wheels in the same direction as that of the front wheels.

Driving stability is increased by the virtual extension of the wheelbase and agility is enhanced by the simultaneous steering of the front and rear axles, especially during overtaking manoeuvres on the racetrack.

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus)

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus is fitted as standard and has been specially adapted to the new 911 GT3. It operates in conjunction with an electronically regulated and fully variable rear differential lock. Numerous driving parameter inputs are the basis for the system’s active control outputs. The results are perceptible, particularly at the limits of dynamic performance: greater traction, increased lateral dynamics and a significant improvement in driving stability under the effects of load changes in corners and when the car changes lane. On surfaces with less grip, such as in the wet, the system strategically brakes the right or left rear wheel. This means that, whenever the car enters a corner, brake pressure is applied to the inside rear wheel. Consequently, a greater amount of drive force is distributed to the outside rear wheel. This improves steering behaviour and increases agility.

Lights

Bi-Xenon headlights are fitted as standard. Their design is reminiscent of Porsche motorsport classics. Sleek direction indicators, daytime running lights and position lights boasting LED technology create that contemporary contrast. LED headlights are also available as an option.

Brakes

At the limit, you need one thing above all: reserves. Not only for power, but for safety, too. This is possible only with a race-proven technology on which the driver can depend at all times. Only this can free up extra room for manoeuvre, especially in the red zone.

The new 911 GT3 is therefore equipped with a particularly powerful yet lightweight brake system with a specifically matched brake booster. The red six-piston aluminium brake calipers on the front axle and the four-piston equivalents at the rear are designed as monobloc units. This makes them tougher and enables a more rapid response and release of the brake, even under heavy loads.

That’s not all. The brake dimensions on the new 911 GT3 have been enlarged to cope with the increase in engine power. The brake discs are 380 mm in diameter not only at the front but now also at the rear. Thanks to their two-piece construction with cast iron brake discs and aluminium brake chambers, they reduce weight and thus the unsprung and rotating masses. The brake discs are cross-drilled and internally vented for powerful braking even in adverse weather conditions. Or when pitted against the challenges of motorsport.

Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB)

Resting on our laurels isn’t our style. That’s why we have also adapted PCCB dimensions to match the performance capabilities of the new 911 GT3. The cross-drilled ceramic brake discs are now 410 mm in diameter at the front and 390 mm at the rear for even more formidable braking performance.

The use of six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers on the front axle and four-piston units at the rear – all finished in yellow – ensures extremely high brake forces which, crucially, are exceptionally consistent.

PCCB enables shorter braking distances in even the toughest road and race conditions. Excellent fade resistance provides greater balance when slowing from racetrack speeds.

The key advantage of PCCB is the extremely low weight of the ceramic brake discs, which are approximately 50% lighter than standard discs of a similar design and size. As well as enhancing performance and fuel economy, this represents a major reduction in unsprung and rotating masses.

This results in better road holding and increased comfort, particularly on uneven roads, as well as greater agility and improved handling.

Please note that circuit racing, trackday use and other forms of performance driving can significantly reduce the service life of even the most durable pads and discs. As with conventional high-performance braking systems, we recommend that all brake components be professionally inspected and replaced where necessary after every track event.

Porsche Stability Management (PSM)

PSM is an automatic control system for providing stability at the limits of dynamic driving performance. In addition to the anti-lock braking system, it includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TC).

Sensors continuously monitor the direction, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration of the car. Using this information, PSM is able to calculate the actual direction of travel at any given moment. If the car begins to oversteer or understeer, PSM applies selective braking on individual wheels to restore stability.

What’s special about PSM in the new 911 GT3? The systems intervene at the limits of dynamic driving performance with exceptional sensitivity and precision. In addition, the systems can be completely deactivated in two stages for deliberately sporty handling.

Airbags

POSIP, fitted as standard, consists of side impact protection beams in the doors and two side airbags on each side: an integral thorax airbag is located in each seat side bolster and an upwards-inflating head airbag is incorporated within each door.

Additional safety features include the headrests which form an integral part of each seat, an energy-absorbing steering column, three-point seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters and energy-absorbing elements in the dashboard.

We use advanced airbag technology in the form of full-size driver and front passenger airbags, which are inflated in two stages depending on the severity and type of accident (e. g. frontal or offset frontal). In less serious accidents, the airbags are only partially inflated, thereby minimising discomfort to the occupants.

Interior

Speed is critical in the cockpit, too. The driver needs information that can be accessed quickly and an interior ergonomics concept that enables even faster use of it.

The requirement is fulfilled by an ascending centre console that places the gear selector within direct reach of the steering wheel, by ergonomic gearshift paddles on the steering wheel itself and by conveniently positioned controls that dispense with unnecessary gadgetry but do open up new possibilities on the racetrack. 30,000 racing victories were not achieved by engine power alone.

Durability, stability and resilience. These are the essential ingredients for materials in a sporty environment. It is an environment dominated by Alcantara, leather and interior parts in Galvano Silver as well as brushed aluminium. Here, materials must be practical – and top quality. The fact that they also have the motorsport feel is a welcome bonus.

Alcantara is easy to grip and maintain. For this reason, it is mainly found in places where there is direct contact: on the steering wheel rim and gear selector as well as on the door handles, door armrests and lid of the centre console storage compartment. The rooflining and C-pillar trims are also finished in Alcantara.

Porsche Communication Management (PCM)

Available as an option, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is your control centre for audio, navigation and communication functions. The main feature is the intuitive seven-inch touchscreen.

Radio functions include up to 42 memory presets and an FM dual tuner with RDS diversity. The CD/DVD drive plays CDs and audio DVDs and is MP3-compatible. With the universal audio interface (USB) in the glove compartment, you can connect your iPod® or any other compatible audio source of your choice. By means of the USB socket, it is also possible to download data from the performance display of the Sport Chrono Package, as well as data from the electronic logbook. In the opposite direction, you can transfer up to 10,000 tracks in MP3 format to the internal hard drive of PCM and create your own jukebox.

The navigation module of PCM with high-speed hard drive allows you to choose between a 2D display and a 3D perspective. In some regions, even terrain can be displayed in 3D.

CDR audio system

Fitted as standard, the CDR audio system features a seven-inch colour monitor that also acts as a touchscreen, giving you quick and easy access to the most important functions and menus.

The integrated CD radio supports MP3 playback and features an FM dual tuner with RDS, 30 memory presets, dynamic autostore and speed-sensitive volume control. Quality sound is produced by four loudspeakers and an integrated amplifier with an output of 2x 25 watts.

A universal AUX interface (e. g. for compatible MP3 players) is fitted as standard in the glove compartment.

The optional Sound Package Plus is ideal for your racing soundtrack. Nine loudspeakers and a separate amplifier with a total output of 235 watts create a sound experience that has been perfectly tuned for the car’s interior.

Sound settings can be customised using the CDR or the optional CDR Plus audio system or Porsche Communication Management (PCM).

Steering wheel

Change gear like a motorsport professional with the GT3 SportDesign steering wheel with gearshift paddles. In the new 911 GT3, the shift throw of the paddles has been further reduced by 50%. Gearshifts become even more direct and precise.

The GT3 SportDesign steering wheel offers up to 40 mm of height and reach adjustment. The steering wheel rim in black Alcantara is easy to grip and remains in firm hands, even on sporty drives. The top centre marking is another characteristic feature.

Instruments

Precise not fanciful, minimalist not kitsch. True to Porsche style, the five circular instruments integrated in the cockpit lead the way. In the middle is the rev counter. Its dial face is titanium-coloured and bears the ‘GT3’ logo. The gear and upshift indicator helps you to achieve optimum acceleration.

For the first time in a 911 GT3, the instrument cluster is equipped with a high-resolution 4.6-inch TFT colour display. It provides you with data from the on-board computer, including average speed and fuel consumption, fuel range and outside temperature, and allows you to view Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) information as well as data from the stopwatch of the optional Sport Chrono Package. It also reminds you of your selected communication and audio settings or displays the map of the optional navigation system – but only for the rare occasion you aren’t on the racetrack.

Seats

Sports seats Plus are fitted as standard in the new 911 GT3 and come equipped with elevated side bolsters, electric seat height and backrest adjustment and manual fore/aft adjustment. The seat side bolsters are upholstered in leather and the seat centres are lined in black Alcantara. The headrests are embroidered with the ‘GT3’ logo.

The side bolsters on the seat squab and backrest have a firm, sporty padding and offer excellent lateral support. The backrest shell is finished in Silver Grey.

Available on request, adaptive Sports seats Plus blend sport with comfort and are suitable for everyday driving or the racetrack. They feature side bolsters in leather, seat centres in black Alcantara and an embroidered ‘GT3’ logo on the headrests. Offering 18-way electric adjustment, the seats can be optimally adapted to meet your needs in terms of seat height, squab and backrest angle, seat depth, fore/aft adjustment and four-way lumbar support. The side bolsters on the seat surface and backrest can be individually adjusted for precision lateral support on winding roads and added comfort on long journeys.

Sport Chrono package including Porsche Track Precision app and lap trigger preparation

Precision instrument at the limits: the optional Sport Chrono package. This package includes a stopwatch on the switch panel and the newly developed Porsche Track Precision app for your smartphone.

Times are measured precisely to a hundredth of a second and are displayed on the Sport Chrono clock and on the instrument cluster. The stopwatch is operated by means of the control stalk for the on-board computer.

In conjunction with PCM, the Sport Chrono Package functionality is extended by display, storage and evaluation of measured lap times as well as the performance display in the PCM.

The newly developed Porsche Track Precision app additionally allows lap times to be measured via GPS and a host of driving data (such as speed, steering angle, braking and acceleration behavior, gear indication as well as engine speed) to be recorded and managed on a smartphone. This data can then also be shared and compared with other drivers.

When driving on a race circuit, the driving dynamics are visualized on the smartphone, and the lap time differences compared with a reference lap are displayed in addition to sector and lap times. The app uses highly-precise vehicle data from a control unit in the vehicle.

Graphic analyses of the driving data as well as video analysis help the driver to further improve his driving performance. Lap after lap. Always a step closer to the driving limits.

The lap trigger available through Porsche Tequipment allows even more precise measurement of the lap times. This can be positioned next to the start and finish line on the circuit and automatically measures and transmits the lap times.

Fuel economy and recycling

Intelligent lightweight construction has been part of Porsche DNA since 1948 – for both technological and ecological reasons. And, of course, with competitive advantages in mind. In motorsport, weight is increasingly the number one factor of success. Lightweight construction is therefore the basis for low consumption values combined with outstanding performance.

On the technical side, various components are made with a high proportion of aluminium, magnesium, plastics and super-high-strength sheet steel. The materials used have been selected for their ability to withstand load, yet they are considerably lighter overall than conventional steel.

On the ecological side, all materials used are meticulously selected. Each lightweight material is easily recyclable and all plastic components are labelled to facilitate separation for recycling. The reduction in the number of plastic variants helps to ensure more efficient recycling. Recycled plastics are used where they meet our exacting technical requirements.

In short, the new 911 GT3 is around 95% recoverable. In addition, Porsche uses a high proportion of environmentally friendly water-based paints. For us, environmental protection does not begin at the end of a vehicle’s life. It starts at the planning and development stage.

Emission control

The new 911 GT3 meets the strict Euro 5 emission standard in the EU and LEV II in the USA. Vehicles manufactured by Porsche demonstrate that even high-performance sports cars can achieve moderate emission values in their respective category. This puts the new 911 GT3 among not only the most powerful sports cars of the future, but also the cleanest.

This has been accomplished not least by the two catalytic converters and stereo Lambda control circuits, which monitor each cylinder bank separately. For each exhaust tract, two Lambda sensors regulate the composition of the exhaust gas. Another Lambda sensor for each cylinder bank monitors pollutant conversion in the respective catalytic converter.

Fuel

All Porsche models – including the new 911 GT3 – are designed to operate on fuels with an ethanol content of up to 10%, e.g. ‘E10’. Ethanol has a positive impact on the CO2 balance since the plants grown for the production of this biofuel also absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

The release of hydrocarbons from the fuel system has been minimised thanks to the active carbon filter and the multi-layered material from which the fuel tank is made. All fuel lines are made from multi-layered plastic, steel or aluminium.