C ould the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 be the pinnacle of internal combustion engine sports cars? As electric vehicles take over the market, it’s a possibility. With the new GT3, Porsche demands to be relevant, like an aged lion snarling a last roar of defiance. With the new GT3, life moves too fast to simply seize the day; we must seize every second. Porsche knows that time is precious, and every minute in the cockpit counts. So, they turned up the dial to 11 for everything that makes a sports car. TAME THE WIND The roofline of the 911 hearkens back to the first edition of 1964. It’s one of the most recognizable shapes of the industrial age, and it’s still the backbone of Porsche’s aerodynamic design. The Porsche tradition embodies the principle that “form follows function.” Everything must be subordinated to this philosophy — the goal: excellent grip in every driving scenario. Porsche aerodynamicists obsessed over every gram of downforce. More downforce ensures higher maximum cornering speeds due to the increased wheel load and improved friction. As a result, the new GT3 zips through each corner faster, trimming fractions of a second at each turn. The rear of the new 911 GT3 is striking. A powerful downforce is generated by the new wing attached to the top, as is track-proven on the 911 RSR. It is supported by two aluminum struts that are integral to the vehicle bodyshell. The so-called swan-neck connection ensures a clean airflow around the underside of the wing, leading to a significantly lower loss of downforce.
The utterly new diffuser with large slats on the rear is aerodynamically efficient, delivering up to four times more rear downforce than its predecessor. You’ll see the work of the aero geeks in the front fascia, which sport larger openings. The incoming air cools the brakes, and the coated air intake grills protect against foreign objects. The air outlets in the central radiator are integrated into the carbon fiber hood, emphasizing the motorsport look.
For maximum performance, downforce, balance, and cooling must be in harmony. The wide front spoiler lip generates downforce on the front axle. Thanks to the new front diffuser and aerodynamically improved underbody paneling, downforce on the front axle and vehicle balance can be adjusted in stages. The air control elements behind the front wheels have been completely revised and now deliver twice the amount of downforce with the same air resistance. With all aerodynamic improvements accounted for, the new 911 GT3 with a fixed rear wing achieves approximately 60 percent more downforce than its predecessor.
57 TUFTS COMMUNICATIONS MAGAZINE
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