Porsche 911 GT3 S/C – This is the first 911 GT3 Cabriolet

Porsche is expanding its 911 GT3 line-up with a model that has never existed in this form before: the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C. This refers to an open-top 911 from the GT department with an electric soft top – the first Porsche 911 GT3 Cabriolet. Having already offered open-top GT products under the names Speedster or Spyder, this is the first time that Porsche has offered a genuine GT 911 with a fully electric soft top. How much power does the 911 GT3 S/C have? How much does it weigh? And why will the first 911 GT3 Cabriolet possibly remain the first and last of its kind?

A new blend of familiar GT ingredients – The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C draws on GT3, RS and S/T designs

Technically and visually, Porsche is reaching deep into its own GT shelf for the new 911 derivative. The naturally aspirated 4.0-liter boxer engine is an old acquaintance. As in the Coupé, it delivers 510 hp. The 911 GT3 Sport Cabriolet thus remains true to the engine concept that has defined the GT3 for years: a high-revving naturally aspirated engine with extremely direct throttle response, without hybridization and with a sound that is second to none.

It was eagerly awaited which visual path Porsche would take with the first 911 GT3 Cabriolet. In the end, the Stuttgart-based company decided on a mix of parts from the entire model series and its derivatives. The front apron of the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C corresponds to the design of the regular 992.2 GT3. The front fenders and doors, however, correspond to those of the 911 S/T. Both help the aerodynamics engineers with the air flow thanks to the jagged design. The carbon fiber doors also have classic, non-retractable door handles and save a lot of weight.

Naturally, the designers had to make compromises at the rear. After all, the convertible roof box determines the final height. The rear apron corresponds to that of the GT3 and accommodates the two centrally positioned tailpipes. Above this is the engine cover, which automatically extends to form a spoiler, with the tear-off edge familiar from the GT3 Touring and 911 S/T. Porsche also adapted the ventilation grille in the boot lid to ensure engine cooling in the convertible. It is more reminiscent of the S/T than the Touring and merges into the relatively high “hump” of the convertible.

The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is neither an open-top touring car nor a civilized speedster

Even before the presentation of the GT3 Cabriolet, Porsche focused on driving pleasure. Lap times are of secondary importance with this concept anyway. After all, it is primarily about how you experience the driving performance, which is already excessive for public roads. The decisive factor is the driving experience, the connection to the vehicle, the acoustic experience. Incidentally, unlike its Carrera siblings, the Cabrio is only available as a two-seater.

Porsche’s choice of a six-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment is therefore not surprising. The carbon fiber body parts of the RS and S/T siblings, which are positioned even higher, were certainly also given to the 911 GT3 S/C in order to keep the weight as low as possible for a Euro 6d-Temp-homologated convertible with over 500 hp.

The new 911 from Porsche’s GT department must therefore be viewed in isolation. A comparison with the 991 Speedster would be unfair for weight reasons alone. While the former has a makeshift convertible top that can only be operated by hand, the new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C wins hands down when it comes to utility with its electric convertible roof. At the same time, it is less focused than the S/T with the RS drivetrain as its basis. Perhaps this is precisely why it is a welcome intermediate solution – less extreme than the Speedster and S/T, but with a more acoustic experience than the GT3 Touring.

510 hp as in the 911 GT3, exclusively with particularly short-ratio 6-speed manual transmission

Unlike the 911 S/T, the engine does not come from the GT3 RS, but from the GT3 and delivers a peak output of 510 hp. The drive is coupled with a particularly short-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox. This not only ensures a lower weight than with the Porsche dual-clutch transmission, but also an even more analog connection between the driver and the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C.

“Driving pleasure that you could hardly experience in an open-top car before”

For Andreas Preuninger, Head of Porsche’s GT department, the new 911 GT3 S/C is the benchmark in terms of driving dynamics for convertibles. “For the first time, the 911 GT3 S/C features a double-wishbone front axle on an open-top nine-eleven. In combination with the particularly high-grip sports tires and the low weight, the car offers a driving pleasure on winding roads that you could hardly experience in an open-top car before,” says Porsche’s GT boss.

The 911 GT3 S/C is the first open-top nine-eleven to feature a double-wishbone front axle. In combination with the particularly high-grip sports tires and the low weight, the car offers a level of driving pleasure on winding roads that was previously almost unheard of in an open-top car.

Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Department at Porsche

Those who want even more exclusivity can order the Street Style package. This package from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offers numerous accents that make the first convertible from the GT division an even more exclusive model. It includes decorative graphics on the front fenders and side sills in the color Pyrored. Inside, Porsche Exclusive enhances the 911 GT3 S/C with bi-color leather in Slate Grey/Indian Red and uses seat center panels with four-color woven leather in Slate Grey, Indian Red, Magnesium Grey and Kalahari.

The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is the first and perhaps the last of its kind – but not limited

The fact that Porsche is launching this model right now is probably no coincidence. The 911 GT3 S/C is being launched at a time when the classic high-revving naturally aspirated engine is no longer a matter of course. It is possibly the last opportunity to launch a relatively lightweight car with a high-revving naturally aspirated engine, without a turbocharger or hybrid technology. In this respect, the 911 GT3 S/C appears to be not only the first of its kind, but possibly the deliberate culmination of a development that Porsche has perfected over the years.

Unlike the previous special models based on the GT3 called Speedster or S/T, however, there will be no limitation this time. This means that the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C can possibly be ordered at the nearest Porsche Center even without a long history of Porsche orders. However, customers will have to put at least 269,000 euros on the table.

© Porsche AG