The other half of the story is grip. Lots and lots of grip. More grip than I have ever experienced in any car. But not the artificial type of grip that we think some cars have, because of their over-stiff suspensions. The GT3 tackled these backroads as though it were glued to the surface. No. More like if the car was being pulled against the road by the eight tentacles of a giant octopus that was trying to drag the car into an abyss. My point is that the GT3 felt naturally grippy, adhering to even unfavourable surfaces such as dust-covered and lumpy tarmac. Understeer in these conditions, it did not.
How did I figure this all out? My colleague and I took the GT3 and a Turbo S (in order to be efficient time-wise) up a narrow twisty road near the Quail. As luck would have it, on this Friday the 13th, there was no one ahead of me and the Turbo S was bringing up the rear.
Instantly, I got comfortable with car. The difference was startling when I stepped into the Turbo S for the ride back down the mountain; the front end of the car seemed to nearly have a mind of its own, making me reel it in sooner and harder before entering a corner. This is what sets the GT3 apart.
I've said it, it's got tonnes of grip. But it's up front where the GT3 puts the driver at extreme ease. At least, it did for me. A slight tug on the wheel put the car's front 8.5 x 19' wheels with 235/35 ZR 19 tires exactly where I wanted them. Immediately. Tossing the car from side to side in a rapid succession of switchbacks returned little or no drama, making me seriously realize that the GT3's actual limits far exceed my own. On a few occasions, I was flat-out, cresting and braking hard, possibly closing in on 8.5 tenth of my driving skills and the car still displayed poise and control. EPIC!
The cabin of the GT3 is also all business. Well, business in the sense that all that is required to drive is at hand: incredible seats, a spot-on driving position and all of the alcantara anyone could ever want. This car was also equipped with a navigation system and satellite radio but as far as I'm concerned, these things are moot in a car like this. The exterior vista is quite taking. The centre-lock wheels, rear spoiler and different front end all conspire to make this a very exotic and fast looking car.
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| The GT3 tackled the backroads as though it were glued to the surface. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
How did I figure this all out? My colleague and I took the GT3 and a Turbo S (in order to be efficient time-wise) up a narrow twisty road near the Quail. As luck would have it, on this Friday the 13th, there was no one ahead of me and the Turbo S was bringing up the rear.
Instantly, I got comfortable with car. The difference was startling when I stepped into the Turbo S for the ride back down the mountain; the front end of the car seemed to nearly have a mind of its own, making me reel it in sooner and harder before entering a corner. This is what sets the GT3 apart.
I've said it, it's got tonnes of grip. But it's up front where the GT3 puts the driver at extreme ease. At least, it did for me. A slight tug on the wheel put the car's front 8.5 x 19' wheels with 235/35 ZR 19 tires exactly where I wanted them. Immediately. Tossing the car from side to side in a rapid succession of switchbacks returned little or no drama, making me seriously realize that the GT3's actual limits far exceed my own. On a few occasions, I was flat-out, cresting and braking hard, possibly closing in on 8.5 tenth of my driving skills and the car still displayed poise and control. EPIC!
The cabin of the GT3 is also all business. Well, business in the sense that all that is required to drive is at hand: incredible seats, a spot-on driving position and all of the alcantara anyone could ever want. This car was also equipped with a navigation system and satellite radio but as far as I'm concerned, these things are moot in a car like this. The exterior vista is quite taking. The centre-lock wheels, rear spoiler and different front end all conspire to make this a very exotic and fast looking car.
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| All that is required to drive is at hand: incredible seats, a spot-on driving position and all of the alcantara anyone could ever want. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |