2026 Porsche 911 GT3: Why it’s the ultimate Porsche

And why I’d still take the big wing over the Touring Package – and the PDK automatic version over the manual.

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Anthony Crawford

Senior Road Tester

Anthony Crawford

Senior Road Tester

There a several persistent myths surrounding the Porsche 911 GT3. That it’s a track weapon first and a road car a distant second. That it’s something you tolerate on public roads rather than enjoy.

And that if you’re sensible – or self-aware – you’d choose the Touring version without the big wing for daily driving.

But I don’t buy any of that.

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After driving the latest 992.2-series GT3 – yes, on track at Sydney Motorsport Park, but then reflecting on what this car actually offers on the road – I’m convinced of something else entirely: this is the most complete road-going GT3 that Porsche has ever built.

And even as a daily driver, I’d still have the big rear wing.

Call it vanity. Call it a lack of self-esteem. Or just call it honesty, but I love the fact that nobody – absolutely nobody – is ever going to mistake this 911 for anything other than the very latest GT3.

Evolution without reinvention

On paper, the 992.2 GT3 doesn’t look like a revolution. The headline numbers barely move. It still runs a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six, still revs to 9000rpm, and still gives buyers the holy trinity of choice: manual, PDK, or Touring spec.

But that’s missing the point.

This update is about refinement. About marginal gains. About making a car that already bordered on perfection calmer, sharper and more confidence-inspiring – not just at 10-10ths on track, but at seven-10ths on a winding B-road or even crawling through suburbia.

That’s where the real brilliance of the 992.2 lies.

Design – subtle changes, loud intent

Visually, the GT3 hasn’t been reimagined, and thankfully so. Porsche knows exactly what it’s doing here. The stance is unchanged – low, wide, purposeful – but the details tell a story of function over fashion.

Up front, the nose has been subtly reprofiled with larger intakes and carbon blades that improve airflow to the radiators. The new Matrix LED headlights aren’t just brighter and smarter, they free up space where the old auxiliary lights lived, allowing Porsche to integrate additional cooling ducts.

At the rear, the diffuser has been reshaped, the bumper vents tweaked, and the swan-neck rear wing now wears larger, angled endplates. The result isn’t showier – it’s cleaner, more resolved, and unmistakably GT3.

And yes, I know the Touring version deletes the fixed wing in favour of a deployable spoiler. It looks fantastic. It’s understated. It’s elegant.

But here’s the thing: the wing is the GT3. It’s part of the theatre. Part of the promise. And part of the reason you walk back to this car in a car park and smile every single time.

Engine – Naturally aspirated, still sacred

The heart of the GT3 remains one of the great engines of our time. A 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six producing 375kW and revving to a spine-tingling 9000rpm.

Yes, torque dips slightly to 450Nm due to stricter emissions regulations – the price of particulate filters and additional catalysts – but on the road, it’s completely irrelevant.

What you notice instead is the shorter final-drive gearing, reduced by around eight per cent. And this transforms how the GT3 feels at everyday speeds.

Where the previous car could feel slightly long-legged on the road, the 992.2 feels alert, eager, and constantly on song. Second and third gears now deliver real punch, making overtakes even more effortless and back-roads more addictive.

More importantly, it sounds magnificent. Even at half throttle, the induction howl, mechanical rasp and rising crescendo remind you exactly why naturally aspirated engines still matter.

PDK versus manual – on the road, it’s a closer call

On track, the seven-speed PDK is unquestionably the faster, sharper tool. But on the road? The decision becomes far more nuanced.

The PDK remains a masterpiece – lightning-fast, brutally efficient, and capable of shifting from docile commuter to race car in an instant.

In traffic, it’s smooth and unobtrusive. On a fast road, it delivers that race car ‘crack’ on upshifts that makes you feel like you’re a bona-fide racer yourself. It never gets old.

But the manual… still has magic.

The six-speed GT sports gearbox features a shorter throw than before, a perfectly weighted action, and beautifully judged ratios.

The auto-blipping on downshifts is spot on, and the clutch is light enough that daily driving never feels like a chore.

On the road, the manual arguably makes more sense than it does on track. It slows the experience just enough to let you savour it. To work the engine. To feel like you’re part of the process rather than merely managing it.

If you’re buying a GT3 Touring to drive every day, the manual is still the romantic’s choice. But in a winged GT3, it feels less appropriate.

Admittedly, I’m torn between a perfectly executed heel-and-toe shift (sans rev-matching) and the masterclass that is the PDK, but I think I love the sound and effect of a few rapid-fire shifts via the paddle shifters even more.

Ride and handling – RS DNA, road manners

The biggest transformation in the 992.2 GT3 comes from its RS-derived suspension geometry.

Porsche has lifted the anti-dive setup directly from the GT3 RS, reducing nose dive under braking from around 12mm to just 6mm. While that sounds like a track-centric change – and it is – it also has huge benefits on the road.

The car feels flatter, calmer and more composed under braking, particularly on uneven or undulating surfaces. You get less pitch, better stability, and a front-end that inspires immediate confidence.

Despite this, ride quality hasn’t suffered. In fact, in normal driving modes, the GT3 is surprisingly compliant. It’s firm, yes – but never brittle or crashy. Even on less-than-perfect Australian roads, it remains liveable.

This is a GT3 you could genuinely drive every day without apology or compromise.

Steering and balance – still the benchmark

Electromechanical power steering remains, but Porsche has clearly fine-tuned it. The rack feels more linear, more natural, and slightly more talkative than before.

Turn-in is immediate without being nervous. Mid-corner balance is exceptional. And the way the car changes direction – especially with the lighter wheels and reduced unsprung mass – is deeply satisfying.

On the road, it feels agile without ever feeling edgy. That’s a rare balance to strike in a car this fast and focused on track.

Brakes – overkill in the best way

The standard braking system is immense. Six-piston aluminium monoblock calipers up front clamp 408mm composite discs, while four-piston calipers and 380mm discs handle rear duties. Pedal feel is rock-solid, bite is immediate, and modulation is perfect.

For road use, the PCCB ceramic setup is unnecessary – impressive, yes, but the standard brake package is already more than most drivers will ever need. And unlike some rivals, it never feels grabby or over-assisted around town.

Interior – familiar, focused, fit for purpose

Inside, the changes are subtle but meaningful.

The old analogue tachometer is gone, replaced by a fully digital 12.6-inch instrument cluster. While purists may mourn the loss, the new display is clear, configurable, and ideal for both road and night driving.

The seating position remains spot on. Carbon bucket seats hold you firmly without discomfort, even on longer drives, and the optional Club Sport pack remains a no-cost option in Australia – a rarity in itself.

Practical touches like dual-zone climate control, infotainment, front-axle lift and driver assistance systems remind you this is still a road car first.

Verdict – a GT3 you can live with

The 992.2-series Porsche 911 GT3 doesn’t chase headlines with more power or other bigger numbers. Instead, it delivers something far more valuable: confidence, composure and connection on real roads.

It’s calmer. Sharper. More resolved. And yet somehow even more exciting. As a daily driver, it’s far more usable than its reputation suggests. Even with the expensive optional Weissach package pictured here.

And as for the wing? I’ll take it every time, because sometimes looking a little ridiculous is exactly the point.