Porsche 911 GT3 (996)

The 911 GT3 arrived in 1999. One of the first production cars to lap the ‘Ring in under eight minutes (says Porsche), it got a 3.6-litre N/A six-cylinder engine that made just 360bhp. By today’s standards, not very much at all. It did rev to 7,800rpm though, and was paired with a most excellent six-speed manual gearbox carried over from the 993-generation 911 GT2. All-in, it weighed 1,350kg. This is nothing.

Porsche 911 GT3 (996.2)

Four years later the GT3 was updated, and offered in the USA for the first time. Now with more power – 381bhp – and an even higher redline (8,200rpm), it was still based on the 996-shape 911, but was more serious an item than ever. 0-95km/h was dealt with in 4.3 seconds, and you’d see 305km/h. This GT3 also marked the arrival of carbon-ceramic brakes – they were a rather pricey option.

Porsche 911 GT3 (997)

The 997-era GT3 was revealed in 2006. Though it was still powered by an N/A 3.6, power was increased to over 400bhp, and the redline to 8,400rpm. Porsche ‘Active Suspension Management’ was now fitted as standard, and the chassis honed to near-perfection.

Porsche 911 GT3 (997.2)

The 997 was updated in 2010, so the GT3 was too. Now 3.8 litres in capacity, the flat-six gave 435bhp and 430Nm of torque, meaning 0 to 95km/h was dealt with in 4.0 seconds flat, and you could run on to a top track speed of 312km/h. The redline, meanwhile, climbed yet higher to an ear-damaging 8,500rpm. ‘Ring time? You’re looking at 7 minutes and 40 seconds. Serious stuff.

(Click HERE to read about our drive of the 997.2 GT3)

Porsche 911 GT3 (991)

Things changed for the 991. We waved goodbye to the manual gearbox and hello to Porsche’s admittedly excellent PDK dual-clutch auto, which was fitted as standard. There wasn’t even the option of a manual (at first…). But no matter – this was a tremendous car.

(Click HERE to read about our drive in the 991.1 GT3)

As, indeed, all GT3s are. 475bhp, 9,000rpm redline, 0-95km/h in 3.3 seconds (thanks PDK) and all-wheel steering meant the ‘Ring time fell to 7 minutes and 25 seconds.

Porsche 911 GT3 (991.2)

Today’s GT3 does it in 7 minutes, 12.7 seconds. Around 45 seconds quicker than the first-ever GT3. Progress. Its 4.0-litre engine, still N/A, makes 500bhp and allows for a 318km/h top speed.

(Click HERE to read about our drive in the 991.2 GT3 4.0)

The manual gearbox is back, too, and for the first time there’s a ‘Touring’ version that does without the massive wing. Looks ace, doesn’t it?

STORY Tom Harrison