2024 Porsche 911 GT3

　　

2024 Porsche 911 GT3 Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Automakers like to claim that their car, truck or SUV is the best, but in most cases that claim falls short. But when it comes to the Porsche 911, calling it the best luxury sports car couldn't be more accurate. Other sports cars are more luxurious, offer better technology and are more affordable, but the 911 does the sports car part the best. It's a driving enthusiast's dream come true. In today's new car market, few cars feel like they are an extension of the driver. If the 911 could talk, it would urge you to drive it harder and faster, and you'd gladly comply thanks to the confidence it instills in you.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The 911's extensive lineup

There's a version of the 911 for just about everyone. You have a choice of a coupe, a convertible or a Targa with a power-retractable roof panel. Once you decide on the body style, there's a long list of trims to choose from. The base Carrera and Carrera S models are great for those who want a comfortable and quick daily driver. The GTS is more powerful and capable, but the Turbo models are the way to go if you want physics-defying acceleration. If you enjoy the occasional track day, go for a GT3 model. And there's the rally-inspired Dakar version with a lifted suspension and all-terrain tires. Porsche is even adding another model to the 911's lineup for 2024. The new 911 S/T combines bits of some of our favorite 911 models, namely the GT3 Touring's manual transmission and sleek styling with the 518-horsepower engine from the 911 GT3 RS. The 911 S/T will also be the lightest 911 in the lineup thanks to features like carbon-fiber bodywork, magnesium wheels and thinner windows.

　　

Competitors to consider

If the Porsche 911 is out of your price range, or if you prefer a sports car with more luxury, tech and cargo space, check out one of its rivals. The larger BMW 8 Series provides more comfort and superior tech. If you want a more affordable sports car that drives exceptionally well, the Chevrolet Corvette should definitely be considered. Then there's the Aston Martin Vantage. It's not as good as the 911, but it's more exclusive and packs an amazing-sounding V8. For our test team's take on the Porsche 911, check out the thorough review in the zzdcar Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.5/10

　　How does the 911 GT3 drive? It is difficult to want more from a car. At our test track, the GT3 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. The quarter mile was dispatched in 11.1 seconds at 125 mph with every shift from the dual-clutch automatic transmission occurring at an astounding 9,000 rpm. True, you're not really going a whole lot quicker than a Carrera S (also 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds in our testing), but the noise from that high-revving engine is unbeatable even if it is near deafening.

　　Even more impressive than the sound and the speed of the GT3 is the grip. The sticky tires and optional carbon-ceramic brakes brought our car to a stop from 60 in a scant 91 feet. That's only 2 feet off our record, incidentally set by another Porsche, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Denied the stopping distance record, the GT3 did claim the handling record, posting an insane 1.25 g of lateral grip on our skidpad. The steering is arguably the best in any road car today, and its accuracy and feel give you immense confidence.

　　If it can get even more impressive, it's how docile the 911 GT3 can behave on the road. We did experience some clumsiness from the gearbox at low speeds, but it's a small price to pay for something so capable in every other aspect.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 911 GT3? Anyone with some experience in high-performance road cars will be astounded with just how comfortable the 911 GT3 is on a daily basis. Even with the car's ridiculous handling abilities, the ride is compliant, especially at higher speeds. But do take care which seats you select. Our test car featured the fixed-back carbon buckets. They offer excellent support and decent comfort but don't breathe well and become hot after just an hour on the road. Other, more adjustable seats are available.

　　Adding to the GT3's daily drivability is the fairly faultless climate control system. The air conditioning has no problem keeping the cabin cool on both road and track, though the fans can be a bit noisy at higher settings. And speaking of noise, the GT3 is a very noisy place to be. At low speeds you will notice the constant thrum of cooling fans, while at moderate speeds the roar of the sticky Michelin tires is most prominent. When you really rev out the engine, interior noise levels soared over 100 decibels. It does sound epic, but we'd advise wearing hearing protection if you choose to do a track day.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below