2023 Porsche 911 GT3: facelifted 992.2 spied cold weather testing
The latest GT3 hasn’t been around long, but it’s set for a minor update as part of the 911’s forthcoming facelift
The current 911 GT3 is somewhat of an outlier among sports cars in 2023, with its 9000rpm naturally-aspirated flat-six motor and optional manual gearbox. Thankfully, Porsche will stick to this spellbinding formula when the 992.2 generation car arrives later this year, and we’ve spotted it in the latter stages of development.
Photographed here in standard and wingless Touring forms, these test mules appear identical to the current GT3 at the front, but given Porsche’s previous form it’s possible that subtle changes will be introduced to coincide with the rest of the 992.2 range - and for better aero. Indeed, when the 991 GT3 was facelifted, downforce levels increased to 997 GT3 RS levels.
However, even if Porsche is keeping certain design tweaks in the locker, they’re unlikely to be as radical as we’ve seen with past facelifts. The swan-neck rear wing looks all but identical to the outgoing car, as does the rear deck lid. A camouflaged rear bumper suggests some changes here, although the diffuser profiles appear identical for both the standard and Touring spec cars.
In truth, the significant developments for the 992.2 facelift will be centred around the Carrera and Turbo models, both of which are set to receive hybrid power for the first time. The GT3 will stay resolutely traditional, with the current 4-litre flat-six appearing once more alongside six-speed manual and seven-speed PDK transmission options.
Since GT3’s tend to adopt incremental bumps in power rather than quantum leaps, we don’t expect the facelift to stray far beyond the current car’s 503bhp and 347lb ft outputs. Still, Porsche could further hone the GT3’s road and track compromise with revised geometry and suspension hardware, and the 992.2’s interior will be uplifted with a new fully digital dash panel akin to that of the Taycan.
