Viewpoint: Porsche may have just unveiled the perfect car

This is the brand new Porsche 911 (992.2) GT3 - seen here in Touring guise, and finished in the gorgeous shade of Oak Green Metallic Neo. Major want (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)

The unveiling of a new 911 GT3 is a very exciting event. It doesn't happen very often - 8 times since 1999, to be precise - and, so far, every version of the GT3 has been a highlight of the automotive year on each of those occasions, often outshining cars that have been far more powerful and far more expensive. Therefore, the GT3 has built a remarkable reputation as one of the finest sports cars on the planet; and, during the model's 25th anniversary year, the latest one - the 992.2 GT3 - doesn't seem to be any different. In the wake of 1,200bhp, multi-million-pound hybrid McLarens and Ferraris, this 500bhp, £150k 911 is the car I dream of owning the most. Let me explain why.

The facelifted version of the regular GT3, which is seen here with the Weissach package - an option that is available on the GT3 for the first time ever (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)

First of all though, what makes the new GT3 different to the old one? Well, in typical Porsche fashion, the changes are evolutionary, not revolutionary - but they all serve a purpose, and band together to make the 992.2 version of the GT3 an even more appealing package than the car it replaces. The main news is that, even within a climate of increasingly strict emissions laws, the GT3 has been able to retain its masterpiece of an engine.

Namely, I'm talking about the full-fat 4-litre naturally aspirated flat six that we've now come to expect within Porsche's GT models - which, at its 9,000 rpm redline, is maybe the best sounding engine still in production today. In the 992.2, it makes marginally more power than before (510bhp compared to 503 in the 992.1 GT3), but, due to a more restrictive emission control system to comply with EU emissions legislation, torque is actually down by 15Nm compared to the 992.1, at 450Nm. The top speed is down too, due to the shorter gearing - but only by 5mph, to 193. I doubt you'll notice, if I'm honest.

The new GT3 has had several updates to its glorious 4-litre naturally aspirated flat six; however, due to more restrictive cats in line with emissions laws, it only makes 7 bhp more than before (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)

Power and torque would actually be a lot higher, were it not for the 'emission control system' (basically just even more restrictive catalytic converters, boo), as the engine has undergone several upgrades compared to the 992.1. For example, the cylinder heads, throttle valves and oil coolers have all been 'optimised', and sharper cams have been carried over from the latest GT3 RS.

In addition to these, an 8% shorter final drive ratio, inherited from the very special 911 S/T, is being introduced for both gearbox options - a 7-speed PDK auto and, thankfully, a 6-speed manual - meaning it will now be easier than ever to hear that magic 9k rpm redline more often, which will only be a good thing. The top speed is down though, due to the shorter gearing - but only by 5mph, to 193. I doubt you'll notice, if I'm honest.

The revised damper and spring rate setup from the S/T that took Porsche an entire year to finesse are also being brought over, too. Great news for the GT3 - possibly not so great news for people who bought an S/T. In addition, there are some minor changes visually to the new GT3 over the old car; new front and rear bumpers have been implemented, which both offer better ventilation to the wheel wells, and the latest rear light bar from the 992.2 Carrera also appears on the GT3.

For the first time, the Touring is available with a new folding (and heated!) bucket seat, and two more seats behind them - now making the GT3 a completely sensible family car in every way (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)

However, the really exciting changes to the GT3 - and especially the Touring - have occurred inside. This is because, for the first time, the GT3 Touring can be optioned with factory-fitted back seats, making it the first 2+2 911 GT product to ever come out of Stuttgart. In order to access the new back seats, Porsche are also introducing a new folding carbon bucket seat with the 992.2 GT3, that replaces the old '918 Spyder' bucket that has been around for nearly 10 years. A welcome addition to the new seat is that you can option it to be heated, which has never previously been possible on a Porsche, unless you went for the 'comfort seat' option - this sounds like a really niche little detail, but trust me; a heated bucket seat will answer many, many peoples' prayers within the Porsche scene.

The new seat also has a removable headrest to allow for a helmet to be worn while driving on track, which is another big improvement over the old design. However - if you want back seats, and only have an allocation for a normal GT3, I'm afraid you're out of luck - they are a Touring-exclusive option.

The GT3 is still available to be optioned with a 6-speed manual 'box as before, only now with an 8% shorter final drive ratio (inherited from the S/T) for extra 9,000 rpm goodness (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)

Instead, on the regular GT3, you can option a 'Weissach' package for the first time ever. Previously reserved for Porsche's RS models, the £20,000 option will add a carbon fibre roof, an exposed carbon fibre stripe running over the bonnet, roof and spoiler, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) suspension components, a gorgeous set of Magnesium wheels (which look particularly amazing in the new shade of 'California Gold'), and, if you so wish, a carbon fibre roll cage to sit behind those new carbon seats.

There is an additional package available exclusively for the Touring though, which resurrects a name last used by Porsche in the 1990s. Whereas the Weissach package is exclusively available on the winged GT3, the 'Leichtbau' (Lightweight) package is reserved for the Touring; although many of the same components are shared between the two. This time, the £30,000 (!) Leichtbau package adds the same lightweight Weissach components, including the CFRP suspension bits and the Magnesium wheels, to the Touring, as well as a fully painted carbon roof and the shorter gear lever from the S/T - which all sounds rather delightful.

The new lightweight Magnesium wheel design (finished here in California Gold) that comes as part of both the Weissach and Leichtbau packages (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)

I appreciate the fact that it does sound like I'm getting excited over a pair of back seats, a new carbon bucket design, and some new wheels; and that's because I am, actually. Thing is, the GT3 was so good before, it would have been a travesty if Porsche had changed it too much. That is why it's such a relief that the basic GT3 recipe has remained the same, as it really is the perfect mix for a sports car (not my words, but the words of the boss of the Porsche GT department, and the mastermind behind these cars, Andreas Preuninger). If it ain't broke, and all that. Porsche have therefore just focused on the things that could further refine the GT3 into the most useable, or most track-focused, version of itself that it could be, depending on what the customer wants - and to do that, they only had to change the small things. So, really, new seats and new wheels are really exciting indeed - as is the fact that we can still have a naturally aspirated, 500bhp, high-revving 911 in 2024 and beyond.

For me, the Touring is the one - especially when equipped with back seats, folding buckets and finished in the stunning shade of Oak Green Neo Metallic - it's subtle, useable, can seat 4 (well, technically) and maintains the iconic 911 silhouette, while also giving you access to that fire-breathing engine and manual 'box that the GT3 is known for at the same time. I can't imagine much else being able to top that, really.

Supermarket trip at 12, track day at 1? Sounds good to me. Good job, Porsche. Good job.

Maybe the coolest press photo of all time? 77-year old Walter Rohrl leant against a brand new Oak Green GT3 Touring. Absolute goals (Image credit - Porsche Newsroom)