2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Release Date, Specs, Price News: Refreshed Sports Car Sees Return of Manual Transmission

By Georgia Gana, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, March 08, 2017

Porsche has refreshed the 911 GT3 for the new model year and car enthusiasts and purists alike will be pleased with the return of manual transmission for the high-performance sports car.

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6 engine which delivers 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. It is the same powertrain used by all the other 911 race cars.

When mated with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, the two-seat sports car is able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) in just 3.2 seconds and attains a top track speed of 197 mph.

Meanwhile, the new 911 GT3 is also available with the much-desired six-speed manual transmission. It allows the high-performance vehicle to go from standstill to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and achieve a top track speed of 198 mph.

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 comes with Rear Axle Steering and features a redesigned chassis. Leveraging knowledge attained from Porsche's motorsport racing experience and the use of lightweight materials translates to superior handling and driving dynamics.

Aesthetics-wise, the car features an aerodynamic design with a lightweight carbon fiber wing at the rear and the front fascia and front spoiler designed to deliver optimum airflow. The exhausts and diffusor at the rear also contribute to the 911 GT3's aerodynamic efficiency.

For the interior, Porsche has given the sports car a GT Sport steering wheel, the same one used by the 918 Spyder. It also comes standard with Sports Seats Plus with two available options; Adaptive Sport Seats Plus with 18-way electric adjustment, power-steering column and seat memory or Full Bucket Seats with electric height adjustment and a fixed carbon fiber reinforced backrest.

The Porsche Communication Management infotainment system comes with navigation, real-time traffic updates and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Owners can also use the Porsche Track Precision app to record and keep track of their driving data.

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 will arrive at dealerships this fall. It will have a starting price of $143,600 with an additional $1,050 charge for delivery, processing and handling.