Porsche 911 GT3

We put the updated brand's track-focused supercar

- Jordan Katsianis

AEX IT'S nice to see that with so much change in our daily lives, there's one constant. Porsche still offers a 911 GT3 with a naturally aspirated flat-six engine, rear-wheel drive and no turbos, hybrid systems or active suspension. It's even still available with a six-speed manual transmission, along with the seven-speed PDK we're driving here.

But don't consider this as laziness. While the GT3 may 'only' have 507bhp and 450Nm of torque, it still sings to a tune that over the years has been honed to within an inch of perfection. So what has changed for this new 922.2-generation?

We'll start with Porsche’s new optional bucket seat, which features a folding backrest and a removable head restraint for when you're wearing a helmet. These are not just practical evolutions; the seat is also far more comfortable and feels bolted lower in the chassis than before. Look ahead and you'll see the dial pack is now a single curved screen. While we'd usually lament the removal of a physical rev-counter, the added versatility is welcome, as is the new track view with its clean layout.

Twist the starter and the engine fires up with a coarse tone. No effort has been made to cloak the sound, and despite new exhaust particulate filters, it still feels a totally vital part of the experience. Unlike less track-focused 911s, the GT3 retains an older seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, which is not only lighter, but also ditches the keyfob-like gear selector for a traditional lever.