Porsche's New GT3: The Jewel in the 911 Crown

All of this means that the 911 GT3 is one very fast car. Though it

GT3 accelerates fast, but it also stops fast, particularly if it's equipped with the optional PCCB carbon-ceramic brakes. (Photo: Porsche Cars Canada)

doesn't have the outright brutal force of the Turbo, it nearly matches it with a power to weight ratio of 298 hp/ton, as compared to the Turbo's 303 hp/ton; and that's without the optional 380 mm (15.0 in) carbon-ceramic disc brakes, which save further weight. All in all, this gives the GT3 a very comfortable margin compared to the 3.8-litre Carrera S' 250 hp/ton. But all of this horsepower per ton stuff only matters when it comes to accelerating, cornering, braking and maneuverability, where the clear winner is the GT3, as it's only 15 kg  (33 lbs) heavier than the old GT3 despite being an entire generation ahead, and 25 kg (55 lbs) lighter than the Carrera S, from which its frame was derived.

But, if all you wanted to do is go fast in a straight line, the GT3 is more than happy to comply. It hits 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, 160 km/h in 8.7 seconds and, if you have a little bit more time to spare, it eventually tops out at 310 km/h (193 mph).

The

Well, what do you know - the best 911 is also cheaper than the Turbo. (Photo: Porsche Cars Canada)

wonderful thing about the 911 GT3, a real-world race car for the road, is that it goes on sale very shortly. Of course, Europeans will have first crack at the car, when it arrives in May. North Americans - Canadians included - will also get the car, but they'll have to wait until summer. While pricing hasn't been announced for the GT3 above the 49th, it has in other areas of the world. Buying one will lighten your bank account by 93,000 euro, or, if you're in the states $106,000 USD (equal to $120,225 CAD, which is less than $1,000 more than a Carrera 4S, but will never sell for that amount), which, all things considered is a bargain. By comparison, the rotund Turbo costs $122,900 USD (equal to $139,000 CAD but will probably sell for around $175,000 CAD), and the GT3's main competitor, the Ferrari F430 is more than a third more expensive. That ought to give the world's automotive purists something to salivate over.