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Fully 26 years after the revered mannequin line first appeared within the Porsche 911 canon, the scintillating GT3 has misplaced its head for (virtually) the primary time – creating this new open-top sportster, the 911 GT3 S/C.
Self-appointed custodians of helmsmithery and reverse lock will, in fact, instantly sneer and say that convertibles damage the expertise of a devoted, targeted driver’s machine. The GT3 was born as a highway automobile with one eye firmly on the observe, in spite of everything, and what good will making it heavier and fewer torsionally inflexible do for the bundle?
But don’t let the doomsayers drag you down. Because there’s a really, very persuasive argument that claims this new GT3 S/C would possibly simply be the very best iteration of the seminal naturally aspirated 911 screamer but seen.
To discover out whether or not it’s a hit or a miss, we headed over to Porsche’s homeland of Germany to take the S/C out for an prolonged spin on among the greatest roads within the Schwabian Alps. Hoo, this one goes to be enjoyable…
How a lot does the Porsche 911 GT3 value?
Sitting down? In Australia, the brand new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is priced from a cool $588,500 earlier than on-road prices.
|
Model |
Price earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe |
$296,700 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet |
$319,500 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera T Coupe |
$318,000 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet |
$341,100 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe |
$344,300 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet |
$367,100 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe |
$362,300 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet |
$385,200 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S |
$389,400 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe |
$392,200 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe |
$412,400 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet |
$428,400 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet |
$449,000 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS |
$449,000 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 GT3 |
$449,100 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package |
$449,100 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Spirit 70 Cabriolet |
$550,000 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe |
$577,300 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C |
$588,500 |
|
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet |
$598,000 |
That’s a mammoth hike from the $449,100 earlier than ORCs worth that both of the hard-topped variations of the GT3 (winged or Touring) will set you again, and it makes the S/C the second-most costly spinoff of Porsche 911 at the moment on sale right here, except for the monster Turbo S Cabriolet with the T-Hybrid gear at $598,000 plus ORCs – a mere $9500 worth hole to one thing with 4 pushed wheels and which might outpunch the S/C by the not-inconsiderable numbers of 148kW and 350Nm.
That, although, is lacking the purpose of the way more involving GT3 S/C. For starters, it’s successfully a GT3 Touring handbook with the Lightweight Package fitted to it, and that merchandise provides a staggering $71,120 to the Touring’s worth alone.
And when Zuffenhausen then sprinkles in among the visible magic and engineering tips of the limited-edition S/T Coupe (all the doorways, the bonnet and the entrance wings of the S/C are product of carbon-fibre, for example), together with the attract of the 911 Cabriolet’s physique, then you possibly can see how the corporate will get near a $600k admission worth.
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What is the Porsche 911 GT3 like on the within?
The inside of the S/C adopts cues from each the 992.2 GT3 variants, and the aforementioned 992.1 S/T.
This means it has a cabin which is a blissful mix of assuredly built-in know-how, bang-on ergonomic correctness, immaculate materials high quality and only a sprinkling of particular thrives which mark it out as one thing particular.
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Like another 992.2-series 911, the massive change within the GT3 is the adoption of a digital instrument cluster. This shouldn’t be an enormous change – the 992.1 had a central analogue rev counter, with two smaller digital shows both facet, however now your complete panel is computer-generated.
In the S/C, which has a vaguely retro flavour to it which harks again to happier, purer instances on the planet of motoring fans, the cluster might be switched by means of numerous show modes, one among which makes use of colors and graphics to imitate the outdated five-dial analogue array of 911s of yore.
One factor we did observe within the S/C is that, in contrast to in different 992.2 GT3s, deciding on Track mode would not make the tacho rotate anti-clockwise to place the 9000rpm redline proper on the high. Porsche made point out of this characteristic in its press materials, although, so possibly we simply wanted to regulate a setting deep within the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system to get it to work.
Elsewhere, on the door playing cards there are the material loop-pulls for the opening mechanism and carbon-fibre seize handles, two options the S/C shares with the S/T, after which down beneath the stubby H-pattern handbook gear shift lever is a tiny badge which reads ‘911 S/C’. Just in case the opening roof above you has someway escaped your consideration.
The most important defining attribute of the S/C’s cabin, nonetheless, is the actual fact it’s the solely 992.2 Cabriolet which doesn’t have rear seats. In the pursuit of weight-saving measures, Porsche has deleted them, permitting the corporate to put declare to 373 litres of space for storing again there as a de facto boot, to go together with 135L beneath the S/C’s bonnet.
Porsche additionally plans to supply a lockable storage unit within the again, which’ll take as much as 80L of stuff and which might be secured so you possibly can go away the hood down whereas the automobile is parked on sunny days.
There’s an enormous ‘911 S/C’ emblem embroidered into the rear bulkhead of the newest GT3 spinoff, but when all of this doesn’t someway sound particular sufficient, the Street Style Package for one more $58,670 will likely be what you search.
It provides Pyro Red physique accents and graphics, tinted HD-Matrix headlights, and wheels completed in Slate Grey Neo on the skin, but additionally finishes the cabin with seat trim in a four-colour tartan sample, and provides a darkish open-pore picket gearknob too.
|
Dimensions |
Porsche 911 GT3 |
|---|---|
|
Length |
4570mm |
|
Width |
1852mm |
|
Height |
1279mm |
|
Wheelbase |
2457mm |
|
Cargo capability |
135L (beneath bonnet) + 373L (behind seats) |
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What’s beneath the bonnet?
Under the gurney-toting rear deck of the Porsche 911 S/C is similar up to date usually aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six petrol engine deployed within the different two 992.2 GT3s.
|
Specifications |
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat petrol 6cyl |
|
Power |
375kW at 9000rpm |
|
Torque |
450Nm at 6250rpm |
|
Transmission |
6-speed handbook |
|
Drive sort |
Rear-wheel drive |
|
Weight |
1497kg |
|
0-100km/h (claimed) |
3.9 seconds |
|
Fuel financial system (claimed) |
13.6L/100km |
|
Fuel financial system (as examined) |
17.0L/100km |
|
Fuel tank capability |
63L |
|
Fuel requirement |
98-octane premium unleaded |
|
CO2 emissions |
310g/km |
|
Emissions normal |
Euro 6e |
It makes 375kW of energy and 450Nm of torque, and because the S/C solely weighs 1497kg DIN the efficiency is great. The official 0-100km/h time is 3.9 seconds and the highest velocity is 313km/h, the place permitted.
Sure, there are quicker 911s within the 992.2 portfolio, and even a number of swifter Cabriolets – not least the monstrous Turbo S – however that’s lacking the purpose of the S/C.
The star attraction right here is that you just can’t specify this 4.0-litre jewel of a automobile with a PDK computerized; it comes with a six-speed handbook transmission solely.
Oh, and if you happen to’re questioning about our apart within the intro, whereas many are saying that is the primary open-top GT3, on a technicality it isn’t. That honour as a substitute falls to the 991 Speedster of 2019, which used the 375kW 4.0-litre boxer six as properly.
But that automobile was a limited-build particular with a fiddly handbook roof, whereas the S/C has no restriction on manufacturing numbers and the identical 12-second opening lid, which might be operated at speeds of as much as 60km/h, as with every different 992.2 Cab. It additionally wears official GT3 badging, one thing which the Speedster lacked.
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How does the Porsche 911 GT3 drive?
It is sensational. Sublime. As good because the GT3 ever has been, if not even higher as a result of the automobile’s fortunate occupants are uncovered to the weather.
One spirited session behind the S/C’s luxurious GT Sport steering wheel will persuade you that is the purest distillation of each ounce of dynamic goodness Porsche has realized over the previous 25 years and extra of constructing these items.
Using the GT3’s underpinnings means the S/C is the primary 911 Cabriolet in historical past to get flighty but super-advanced double-wishbone entrance suspension. Brilliantly, the S/C doesn’t get some bizarre bespoke tune to assist it address any extra mass.
In truth, with the solid magnesium centre-lock rims in any respect 4 corners, saving 9kg, and the standard-fit Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) trimming one other 20kg of unsprung mass, the German agency determined that precisely the identical suspension settings because the GT3 Touring would suffice right here.
The web result’s a automobile which is nothing short of dynamic perfection.
When it involves dealing with, you received’t ever complain about this automobile’s open roof. This is as a result of the S/C has pin-sharp, feelsome and immaculately weighted steering that makes putting the automobile to inside the millimetre a cinch, and you may alter its line mid-corner with laser-like precision too.
You don’t discover any scuttle shake by any means, whereas the front-end of the S/C is simply as ridiculously keen and fast of response because the nostril of both of its tin-topped siblings.
Running on sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s, we even drove the S/C by means of a German rainstorm, and whereas grip ranges clearly diminished within the soaking moist circumstances, the automobile didn’t all of a sudden turn out to be evil and spiky. It remained exploitable and insanely communicative, permitting its driver to lean on its immense reserves of kinematic capability.
And but, the damping is so beautiful that the 911 GT3 S/C features completely at decrease highway speeds. There’s a supple, elegant method to the style wherein the Porsche covers off lumps within the highway floor; there’s at all times an underlying firmness to every part it does, however the swish means it floats down the highway speaks volumes in regards to the comparative lack of unsprung mass on the corners.
Finally, overlaying the entire drive is that engine.
To hear it howling away because it goes from 7000rpm round to that spine-tingling 9000rpm redline is without doubt one of the all-time nice motoring experiences. And as a result of there’s no roof within the S/C, you possibly can hear it sing much more clearly right here than you possibly can in another GT3.
It’s one of many many explanation why this pleasant automobile might properly be the very best 911 GT3, actually from a road-biased foundation, we’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling.
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What do you get?
The days of Porsches coming with virtually nothing as normal have lengthy gone, and as a high-end variant the 911 GT3 S/C has a beneficiant normal specification with some key tech highlights included.
2026 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C gear highlights:
- 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management infotainment
- 12.6-inch Curved Display digital instrument cluster
- 20-inch entrance, 21-inch rear cast magnesium alloy wheels
- Four-way electrically adjustable Sports seats Plus
- PASM Sports suspension
- Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes
- Matrix LED most important headlights
- GT Sport steering wheel
- Stainless-steel Sports exhaust system with central tailpipes in black
- Two-zone local weather management
- Keyless Go
- Cruise management
To see how the Porsche 911 traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the Porsche 911 GT3 protected?
The Porsche 911, GT3 S/C or in any other case, has by no means been independently crash-tested, however it’s fitted with a wide range of normal security gear that ought to assist drivers really feel safer.
Standard security gear contains:
- Traffic signal recognition
- Reversing digicam
- Rear Park Assist
- Lane preserving help
- Warn and Brake Assist together with pedestrian safety
- eCall and bCall emergency name programs
- Driver consciousness detection
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How a lot does the Porsche 911 GT3 value to run?
Porsche Cars Australia doesn’t have essentially the most intensive guarantee or roadside help cowl, and nor does it supply capped-price servicing.
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|
Servicing and Warranty |
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C |
|---|---|
|
Warranty |
3 years, limitless kilometres |
|
Roadside help |
3 years, limitless kilometres |
|
Service intervals |
12 months or 15,000km |
|
Capped-price servicing |
N/A |
This makes operating an S/C a course of that received’t be for the faint-hearted (or faint of pockets), particularly because it additionally likes to devour petrol at a good outdated charge. During our highway check, the S/C’s journey pc confirmed an financial system determine of 17.0L/100km.
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CarExpert’s Take on the Porsche GT3 S/C
There’s a easy abstract of this automobile and it’s this: the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C would possibly properly be essentially the most joyous, riveting and downright majestic machine this storied firm has ever made.
If you need one thing that may flip each single kilometre right into a particular occasion and which drives like no different open-top automobile on the planet, settle for no substitutes for the S/C.
Rather amazingly, taking the roof off the GT3 hasn’t harmed this excellent efficiency automobile one iota.
In truth, it has achieved fairly the alternative and improved the bundle even additional.
Gobsmacking stuff from Stuttgart.
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