Porsche lets loose the all-new 911 GT3 and Turbo S at Sepang F1 circuit

Porsche 911 GT3 and Turbo S tackle Sepang’s corners at blistering speed.

MANILA, Philippines–In the new TV series “The Flash,” police scientist Barry Allen is struck by an energy blast that transforms his body and gives him superhuman speed. We couldn’t help but remember that as another red streak raced around the Sepang Formula One circuit in Malaysia. The red blur was the all-new Porsche 911 GT3.

Indeed, only three numbers are needed to quicken the pulse of a car enthusiast: 911. And another further three symbols to act like a shot of adrenaline to the heart: GT3. The GT3 is the track star of the 911 family, ready to take on circuits like the infamous 73-turn Nurburgring. It does the ring on road tires in 7 minutes 25 seconds, 15 seconds much faster than the previous GT3.

The 911 GT3 may be for the track but the cockpit is designed for comfortable road use with all the amenities.

At the heart, or rather, at the rear of this 911 is a 3.8-liter flat-six engine. The engine does without turbocharging for quicker throttle response. Instead, it uses modified internal components such as forged pistons and titanium connecting rods to rev quicker and reach its dizzying 9000-rpm redline.

The lubrication uses dry sump lubrication, in which the oil is stored in a separate reservoir and pumped into the engine to ensure adequate oil supply even when the car is going sideways or braking at high speed.

Settling down in the GT3, with a requisite helmet, required tucking into the thin carbon-fiber shelled seats, mere inches from the track surface. With a twist of the lefthand ignition key, the flat six growls to life.

We move the shifter from P to Drive. Sorry manual gearbox fans: the only transmission is the PDK seven-speed twin-clutch transmission. What the driver will miss in interaction is made up for by performance. The PDK, which nearly simultaneously engages one gear while releasing another, is ultraquick.

Satisfying roar

On Sepang’s 920-meter straight, the GT3 was eager to rev, and its sport exhaust with straight pipes letting out a satisfying roar. Together with the lightweight aluminum intake system and higher pressure direct injectors, it enables the 3.8-liter to pump out 475 HP, 40 HP more than the previous car. Torque is up 10 Nm to 440Nm.

Classic five-gauge Porsche instrument layout indicates the 9000-rpm redline and 315-kph top speed PHOTOS BY JASON K. ANG

Coming to the corner, the massive 410-mm ceramic disc brakes haul the car down from speed straight as an arrow. A pure sports car, the GT3 comes with rear wheel drive only. Even from the first lap, I could toss the car through corners with confidence. The torque vectoring system selectively brakes the right or rear left wheel to enhance the cornering feel. There’s even rear wheel steering, with the rears turning in phase with the front to enhance high-speed cornering stability.

While the electric power steering didn’t provide a telepathic level of feel, it was precise and quick.

From the outside, the 911 GT3 is instantly identifiable, mainly due to its towering rear wing. This, plus other aero bits, adds 20 percent more downforce than the previous models, making the car more planted at high speed. The body shell has been cut down by a substantial 13 percent despite the longer wheelbase. Twenty-inch forged wheels with single center lock house the massive brake discs.

Even if you order the full Club Sport package with rollcage and carbon seats, the GT3 is equipped as a sports car for both road and track. It has the full, luxurious interior, with air-conditioning, audio system, and electric windows. There’s even a system to raise the front to avoid it scraping on ramps and parking stops. The rearwheel steering countersteers at low speed to make the turning circle smaller for easier parking.

Bazooka

If the 911 GT3 is the laser cutter, the other car Porsche introduced at the track, the Turbo S, is the bazooka. The Turbo features the unmistakable wide body with air scoop just ahead of the rear wheels. Track is wider at both front and rear. LED headlamps and black air scoops distinguish the front.

The Turbo keeps its equipment discreetly hidden. The front and rear spoiler stay flush with the body, deploying only at 120 kph or at the push of a button. Switching to performance mode pushes out the middle of the front spoiler and angles the rear wing further, for 132 kilograms of downforce at speed. As in prototype racing cars, the downforce allows for more grip and faster cornering.

We could appreciate this as we put the Turbo S through the fast, sweeping turns of Sepang. With the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat six pumping out 560 HP, the Turbo S made quick work of traversing the long straights. In the turns, the all-wheel drive system helped pull the car.

The Turbo S was more forgiving particularly in tight turns thanks to its all-wheel drive system, but for track use, the GT3 is the ultimate 911: edgy, sharp, and lightning fast.