7 minutes, 12.7 seconds: The 2018 911 GT3 sets a new best lap time

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New 2018 911 GT3 laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife over twelve seconds faster than previous model

Atlanta, Georgia. The new 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 has celebrated its debut on the Nürburgring with a lap time of 7 minutes, 12.7 seconds on the legendary Nordschleife. The track-bred 911 bested the time set by the previous model by 12.3 seconds.

“The new 911 GT3 not only offers the maximum amount of driving pleasure, but with this lap time we have emphatically proven that it also delivers an impressive performance on the Nordschleife. The focus was on optimizing the drivability and adapting the car to the slightincrease in engine power,” said a delighted Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President, Motorsportand GT cars, at Porsche. “A few years ago, lap times like this could only ever be achieved by thoroughbred race cars with slick tires,” added Andreas Preuninger, Director, GT Product Line.“The new GT3 achieves this with comparatively modest power, and is still fully suitable for everyday use.”

The 911 GT3 also relies more on pure racing technology than the previous model. Its same basic 500 horsepower, high-revving, naturally aspirated flat-six engine can also be found in the 911 GT3 Cup race car. Equipped with rear-axle steering, a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch transmission, and Michelin Sport Cup 2 N1 tires, the GT3 took to the track in the Eifel region production specifications. With an ambient temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and a track temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit, conditions for Porsche test driver Lars Kern were ideal. The street-legal rear-wheel-drive coupe recorded its best laptime in the presence of a notary public. “If you can drive fast on the Nordschleife, you can drive fast anywhere in the world”, commented Frank-Steffen Walliser.

TECHNICAL DATA – 911 GT3 PDK MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Engine
Type Six-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine
No. of cylinders 6
Valves/cylinder 4
Displacement 3,996 cm3
Bore 102.0 mm
Stroke 81.5 mm
Max. power output 368 kW (500 hp)
at engine speed 8,250 rpm
Max. torque 460 Nm
at engine speed 6,000 rpm
Max. output per litre 92.1 kW/I (125.1 hp/l)
Compression ratio 13.3:1
Maximum engine speed 9,000 rpm
Cooling system Water cooling with mechanical thermostat
Valve control VarioCam camshaft control for inlet and outlet valves, rocker arm