2018 Porsche 911 GT3 comes with 500 hp and manual option

Porsche’s lightweight contender in the super-sports car fist-fight, the 2018 911 GT3 was officially revealed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show with more power and a manual gearbox available again.

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 will be powered by a new naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six motor which will produce 500 hp and 458 Nm of torque. It is hooked to a specially-made seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard, but you can choose to shift the cogs yourself by opting for the six-speed manual.

The automatic gearbox is quicker, though. The 0 to 96 kph sprint will be completed in 3.2 seconds if the dual-clutch is appointed. The manual will take another 0.6 seconds to reach the target. The top speed of the manual is 1.6 kph more than the automatic though, at 318 kph. Weighing in at 1413 kg, the manual is 16.7 kg lighter than the auto. Both models will come with rear-wheel steering and an updated chassis to improve handling.

The 2018 911 GT3 has an updated front fascia that improves air flow and the rear gets a carbon-fibre wing and a diffuser to boost aerodynamics. Conforming to the 911 way, the visual changes are subtle rather than groundbreaking.

On the inside, it will feature a steering wheel lifted directly off the 918 Spyder hypercar and a set of ‘Adaptive Sports’ seats which comes with 18-way electric adjustment and a memory function. The seats can be replaced by a set of optional full bucket seats with a fixed carbon-fibre reinforced backrest.

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 will go on sale later this year in the UAE and GCC with a starting price north of Dhs 500,000.