Test Drive: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3

But those are just numbers and pretty pictures. It is the wheel in your hands and the pedals underfoot and the sound and pitch of the engine that will tell you everything you need to know. Steering weight is beefy, and response is incredibly direct, completing the experience of piloting this masterpiece. The GT3 seems to lean into sharp corners, laughing at the principles of physics, a stiff chassis and masterful suspension geometry (helps not to have to worry about things like ride comfort) and tuning complemented trick systems like all-wheel steering, active suspension, dynamic engine mounts and torque-vectoring differentials and braking, not to mention all of Porsche’s prescient electronic stability aids that you can use to your advantage or turn off for a more independent, safety-net-free experience.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3, seats, cabin rear. Click image to enlarge

Sadly, this time there just wasn’t enough time or track access to fully explore its capabilities. I was offered the car for a period of less than 48 hours, and 24 of those hours fell on my daughter’s birthday. I love cars, and especially Porsches, and 911 GT3s are pretty much off the charts, but if you have a daughter, well, you know. So my time was even more limited, and after tucking her in after a day of fun (for a five-year-old and the whole family – no back seats or anchors in the GT3 meant it was only fun for daddy), I had my special time on a night-time drive of all my favourite spots in the city, the lights flashing by in blurred streaks, police cars seemingly at every corner, just taking in the sounds and vibrations and incredible clockwork of the machine beneath the rippling red skin and that modern whaletail spoiler.

A chance encounter coming up a broad boulevard from downtown had me stopped at a light next to a Carrera 4S, so we had a little chat. At first he thought I was one of the lucky first to take delivery of the GT3 – Canada’s allotment of 2014s are already all spoken for, so Porsche is now taking orders for 2015. Or perhaps not so lucky… the 991 GT3 has had its difficulties out of the gate, Porsche grounding and then recalling all sold cars at one point to replace the entire engine because of a loosened piston-rod screw connection, which in two cases failed and led to engine fires. The issue is now resolved, all current and future engines fitted with an optimized screw. I’m sure there’s a joke there somewhere.

Anyhow, the GT3 is a lightning rod for attention, and not just from Porsche owners. The sound will wake up snoozing passengers on buses or zombie pedestrians wandering about their drab lives, necks snapping around and then eyes dilating taking in the Guards Red 911 and its salacious curves, the massive 20-inch centre-lock wheels in gunmetal grey and black and black aerodynamic and breathing aids looking sinister and ravenous. 911s are a common sight in these parts, but still they attract the eye, and this one even more so, and people can feel the aura of menace it exudes, the raw sound affirming this mission. Truly, the place for this car is the track, not suburban avenues or even lonely, late-night city streets and empty onramps.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3, trip computer, shifter. Click image to enlarge

While I won’t bore you with details of the features and options and fuel consumption, I will say that at a base price of $148, 800, the GT3 seems like a bargain compared to the high-power, fully kitted Turbo lines that start north of $170K. The GT3 may not have the power and speed of the Turbos, and it may require an extra level of commitment because of the unyielding sport ride and volume, but it is the soul of Porsche you are driving, a single-minded dedication to performance, the machine alive and engaging, a shrine to the spirit of driving.

Pricing: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3
Base price (GT3): $148,800

Competitors:
Pffft, please.