McLaren F1 v Ferrari F40 v Pagani Zonda C12S v Lancia Delta Integrale v Bugatti Veyron v Honda NSX-R v Porsche 997 GT3 v Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R - Porsche 911: Porsche 997 GT3

All hunkered-down traction, nuggety bump management and lightning responses, the 997 GT3 attacks roads that would cripple the conviction of lesser cars, digging hard into bends, nose bobbing subtly as stiff suspension and stubby profile tyres overwhelm the tail-biased masses to pile on speed through sheer tenacity and talent.

Of course, the GT3 is shockingly fast. That’s its day job, after all. The weight-paring measures of Porsche’s Motorsport Department have delivered a formidable power-to-weight ratio of 298bhp-per-ton. The car will top 190mph and hit sixty in four seconds. And yet, thanks to the wonders of PASM, nestling beside this weapon-like fitness for purpose is a pliant, civilized character that broadens the GT3’s appeal to that of comfortable, mile-munching GT at the flick of a switch.

But then Porsche knows the middle ground between road car and racer perhaps better than any other car maker. It’s hard to think of another road car that nails the sweet spot between raw-edged trackday tool and everyday usability with the precision of the new GT3. Just the right number of comfort layers have been peeled away to reveal the harder, sharper 911 beneath.

Another year, another GT3. And they just keep on getting better.

Specifications