Ralph Bossino

The dilemma, which one would you prefer? I have always pondered … If I was to buy a Porsche and money was no object, which one would I end up purchasing? The 911 GT2 or the 911 GT3. Some might say, skip these two and go for the Carrera GT which I made a post on previously, but the Carrera GT is a full blown exotic, in which case, there’s a couple other cars I would take instead.

Both of these cars are exquisite pieces of machinery. They both serve the same purpose; however, they do it in two completely different ways.

A very brief description, the GT2 is a twin turbo charged 530bhp @ 6500RPM, 505ft/lbs @ 2300 RPM, while the GT3 is a naturally aspirated 435bhp (torque numbers unknown in the 2009 GT3). So there are the basics, we all know the first question all us car enthusiasts ask is what’s under the hood. Second question is usually … how fast is this thing? Well, the GT2 does a 0-60 in 3.4 seconds while the GT3 does it in 4 seconds. Okay, 0.6 seconds seems like a lot, but it really all depends on the driver. Porsche’s are driver’s cars, they aren’t built for the average Joe to jump in and drive it like it’s a space ship; it needs a good driver to achieve these numbers.

I will start with the GT2. It’s basically a beefed up version of the prised 911. This one is a cross between street and track, comfort and performance, straight-line performance and ‘curvy’ performance. The powerplant under the bonnet is a 3.6L flat-six boxer engine based on the current 911 Turbo; but clearly, this one pumps out a lot more power. There’s some special features included as well: VarioCam Plus and twin turbo-chargers with Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) enabling faster spool at low engine speeds aide in making this thing move once the driver pushes down the accelerator. With that said, this car is the most powerful 911 ever made for the public.

The turbo system has been dramatically changed in order to bring the extra performance and efficiency to the system. The flow-optimised turbines and compressor units have been specially adapted to the engines overall output and in return becomes more effective. They have also incorporated an ‘expansion’ intake manifold. It is a new technology that is radically different to the existing induction principle for turbocharged engines. They have also improved the rate of exhaust flow by increasing it through a new main silencer made from titanium.

Power is put down by a 6-speed traditional gearbox (which as you all know, I love over the paddle shifters); 235/35VR19 front and 325/30VR19 rear tyres. The braking is done by PCCB ceramic discs with Brembro 6-Piston callipers in the front and 4-Piston callipers in the rear.

The car does have a full interior, leather seats, and radio, and so forth for the comfort of your daily commute.

On the flip side there’s the GT3. The GT3 is a full bread racecar … that is street legal. The car is stripped to the bone, a roll cage has been put in for those track days and weight of the car has been reduced to make the car more agile. This car is truly amazing both on and off the track even with its minimal approach. Unlike the GT2, this engine is a naturally aspirated powerplant. It’s a 6 six-cylinder 3.8L engine pumping out 435bhp, 20bhp more than its predecessor. It also utilises VarioCam, which the GT2 uses to adjust the exhaust camshafts. For the first time, the GT3 comes with particularly sporting variant of PSM Porsche Stability Management. This offers the option to deactivate both Stability Control and Traction Control. I advise only a very experience driver to do this.

The sway bars and suspension have been stiffened up compared to its predecessor. There is also more grip available, which is hard to believe if you’ve seen the numbers of the previous GT3’s. The engineers at Porsche have left nothing unturned; they have improved in almost every aspect on this car. The 2009 GT3 is just better in every way to its predecessor.

So now that you’ve gotten the basic information on these two cars, which would you pick? Is it really that hard to choose one? I say yes, I’m still pondering which one I would get. On one hand, the GT2 has a full interior (the ladies prefer that), it’s faster, it has more power, and it’s got two turbo chargers (being a turbo man myself, I’ve always said; once you go turbo, you never go back). Then on the other hand, you have the GT3; less power, but just as potent and fast, has a roll cage for all your tracking desires, as a naturally aspirated engine so the power is instant, and costs substantially less. The GT2 comes in at a whopping $190,000 USD, while the GT3 comes in at a lesser $110,000 USD.

I’m still at a crossroads. Can’t I just have them both? I would have to say though; the ratio for me at the moment is 60:40 in favour of the GT2. Main reason being; once you go turbo, you never go back (or at least till you’re able to take your naturally aspirated car to the garage and strap a nice turbo … or two to the engine).