The new 997 GT3 is announced by Porsche

[Bob Gagnon]

The new GT3 is on the Porsche website http://www.porsche.com/all/originmotorsport/usa.aspx

FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)--Sportscar maker Porsche AG (POR3.XE) Friday said it will display the new 911 GT3 model at the upcoming auto show in Geneva, Switzerland, next week.

The two-seater coupe goes on sale in Europe in May, it said. Prices in Germany start at EUR108,083 including tax. Sales in the U.S. will begin in August with prices starting at $106,000 excluding tax.

A Porsche spokesman declined to elaborate on the annual sales target for the model.

Porsche will also present the new 911 Turbo in Geneva. The high-end versions of its 911 series are key drivers of Porsche's earnings.

[Bob Gagnon]

Also if you go to the British website for the new GT3 http://www.porsche.com/all/originmotorsport/uk.aspx

Navigate to the link "911 GT3 In Detail" and note that there is a link to a Clubsport version which is not on the USA website.

Once again the "land of the free" doesn't get the hard core stuff.

[Jad]

But we do get traction control on the new GT3, at least it looks like you can turn it off in the video. Gee, how many of us have been waiting for that option on the GT3

[Bob Gagnon]

What I am wondering is if the Traction Control has an electronic differential or not.

Porsche has used electronic differentials in the past on the 964 C4 and on the 928. This was many years ago, but they are very popular in Formula 1. Actually the operating principle of the past Porsche units is very similar to the one in a Ferrari F1 car with a hydraulically driven clutch pack.

So far we know that the new Turbo uses an electronic center clutch to distribute torque to the front wheels (like they did on the 964 C4).

It is not clear yet if Porsche uses on the new Turbo an electronic differential to distribute torque between the rear wheels (again like they did on the 964 C4).

If they are using an electronic differential between the rear wheels on the new Turbo, and have carried it over to the GT3 as a "Traction Control" unit- it could be a pretty cool deal I think if programmed for performance.

But if it were done right, I don't know whay you would want an "off" button!!!

If the GT3 Traction Control is just electronic throttle management like on my Nissan 350 Z it is junk. You would want an "off' button for sure.

[Bob Gagnon]

Go to http://www.porsche.com/germany/ navigate to "car configurator">"911">"GT3"

The German website has lots of information here. I have been going nuts cutting and pasting into Bablefish.

One thing I translated is: The body has "Kofferraumdeckel aus Aluminium and Türen aus Aluminium"

Translation: "Aluminum Doors and Trunk lid !!!"

Also the Traction Control is listed as part of the gearbox as is an LSD without any furthur description; so we have to wait to see if an E-Diff is in the 'Box.

[Bob Gagnon]

Despite the aluminum, the car is still 3075 pounds though....a dissapointment.

[Otto]

Bob:

Agree, it should be lighter. Looking into the German Porsche site you provided, under Car Configurator, in the "Power Transfer Section", where they mention the 6-speed transmission, they also say the car has "traction control" and separately they list what they call "Sperrdifferential" which should be Lock Differential or LSD. It would appear then that the car has a separate LSD. Martin can probably further clarify. Martin?

[martinreinhardt]

Otto,

Yes, the Sperrdifferential is the Limited Slip Differencial and it comes as standard equiment.

Question to Porsche: Is the LSD variable, fixed % or electronic like the Turbo?

Just for the fun of it or in case I win the lottery soon , I assembled one with the Clubsport (GT3 seats, Rollbar etc) it came to Euro 113.738,00

[kurquhart]

According to this press release (http://www.theautobahn.com/forum/showcar.php?do=view_page&car_model_id=614&article_id=336), the LSD is mechanical. Not sure of the ratio, but for reference the LSD in the 997 Carrera sport suspension (not available in US) is fixed 22/27.

[pdy]

The Euro Sport suspension on the 997s Includes the mechanical
LSD, as Kris mentions (non-electronic), and also stiffer and lower
(by 20mm) suspension. It is not available in the US (as of now,
anyway).

The hood on the '06 997S is already Alu.

Paul.

[Tawfik]

There are discussions of a GT3RS possibly coming to the US.
See the following thread:
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/s ... p?t=254219

Time for me to start playing the lottery.

[Bob Gagnon]

I read that the Traction Control on the new GT3 consists of a normal assymetric LSD (the lock percentages are changed though from the first GT3) with ABD, ASR and "Engine Drag Control"

This tells me that there is no fancy electronic limited slip differential, but just an electronic throttle mediated traction control along with selective brake application for low speed, low traction conditions.

This is why there is an "off" button.

[kurquhart]

The June 2006 issue of Excellence magazine has a nice article on the GT3 which confirms a mechanical 28/40 LSD.

http://www.excellence-mag.com/art1/art1p1.html

[JHPGT3]

Otto,

Just for the fun of it or in case I win the lottery soon , I assembled one with the Clubsport (GT3 seats, Rollbar etc) it came to Euro 113.738,00

That's about $140,000 U.S. Way outa line, IMO.
For $85K, or $55,000 less, you can buy a slightly used 2004 GT3 and have the time of your life without mortgaging yourself forever!!

[martinreinhardt]

I agree that is too much, but I beleive the euro price includes the MWSt (sales tax) unlike here.

My plan is to wait until August when the 997 GT3 be will available. Hoping I will be able to sale both of my Porsche and find a used (non pimped) 2004 996 GT3 for around $70k. I found a few early 996 GT3 Carrera Cup cars for around 75k-85k Euros, they would be easy to import since they have a Wagenpass, but can't or are not allowed to be driven from and to the track or to work without dealer plates