Porsche 992.1 GT3 (2021-2024) – the ultimate 911 road car that went RS-lite

It’s quite difficult to try to explain the almost cultish enthusiasm behind Porsche’s 911 GT3 to non-car people. But for everyone else, if you’re lucky enough to have spent some time behind the wheel of one, it’s not hard to see why it has such an intense following. The Porsche 911, an icon that’s cemented its place ever more steadfastly over 50 years as the ultimate sports car, is distilled, sharpened and presented in an exclusive package for those happy to part with a large sum of money for the privilege.

In 2021, Porsche brought us the 992.1 GT3. In typical style, its evolution was been carefully managed, sharing its basic underlying chassis and naturally aspirated powertrains with the previous 991. Yet while the 992’s subtle on-paper changes didn't appear to be significant, its big improvement against the stopwatch around a certain German track revealed the detail changes that made the first 992 GT3 more capable than any GT3 before it and thus, makes the 992.2 GT3's job of improving upon it such a tall order.

The 992.1 GT3 continued to offer its lucky buyers choice, with both six-speed manual and seven-speed PDK transmission options, as well as a return of the wingless Touring model, itself also available with both transmissions. The options list was huge, so tuning the GT3 pretty much exactly to your taste was easy, whether that be a stripped-out hardcore track day monster to pretty much the perfect high-performance road car.

Porsche 911 GT3: in detail 

• > Engine and gearbox and technical highlights – The 992.1 GT3’s 4-litre naturally aspirated flat-six could be paired with manual and PDK transmissions
• > Performance and 0-60 time – Unimpeachable traction, lightning-quick shifts and incredible response made this an extremely fast car
• > Ride and handling – Almost peerless, few cars are more poised and controlled on road or track
• > MPG and running costs – The highly strung engine does like a drink, but not to the extent you might expect
• > Interior and tech – An enveloping cabin that focuses on a perfect seating position
• > Design – Once controversial, but now softened and so, so desirable

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Price and rivals 

Porsche charged a base price of £146,400 for the 992.1 GT3 regardless of whether it was the standard model or the Touring, or fitted with a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK. Four non-metallic colours were standard – a basic white, black, plus Porsche’s Guards Red and Racing Yellow. A further five metallic options could be specified for £876, but for one of the four ‘Special’ non-metallic hues that jumps up to £2525. Porsche's Exclusive PTS (paint-to-sample) colours were popular – some oped for fully bespoke PTS shades – but these were much more expensive.

Key hardware options that changed the 992.1 GT3’s overall character. For track days, worthwhile options include the Club Sport Package which added a half-cage, but had to be specified with the carbon-backed bucket seats for £3788. A £2517 carbonfibre roof was also optional, helping lower the centre of gravity, a lap timer built into the Sports Chrono clock at £336, and the headline PCCB or Porsche’s ceramic brake option – were £6498, or £7079 if you prefered the usually yellow calipers to be painted in black. 

Going in the other direction and more comfort-biased options included a set of tinted Matrix LED headlights at £2487, painted wheels for £842, a front axle lift at £2214, and things such as extended leather packages for the interior. One option we would recommend regardless of your preferred specification is the BOSE sound system – a £1002 option when new – as the huge tyres and reduced interior sound deadening make for some pretty intrusive road noise that the basic system just can’t outmuscle.

It was a lot of money at the time, but still managed to undercut the Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD (£165,000) without any options. Compared to the brilliant Huracan STO or a McLaren 765 LT, which commanded the best part of £300,000 in 2021, the GT3 was an absolute bargain.