New Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Is The First Convertible GT3 Model

The Porsche 911 GT3 is one of the most celebrated sports cars in history, as this vehicle was originally conceived as a homologation special. Numerous special editions and derivatives have been made since its 1999 debut, but perhaps the new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is its most drastic evolution yet.

You see, the 911 GT3 formula is pretty much almost perfect. The recipe has always been simple. Strip all the excess fat from the standard 911, add extra chassis bracing and suspension improvements, and make sure it gets a high-revving naturally-aspirated flat-six. The 992 generation introduced the first use of double wishbone front suspension to the road-going 911, and in today’s case, the 992 generation also witnesses the birth of the GT3’s first-ever convertible variant.

Oh dear! Surely, there are plenty of pitchforks from GT3 purists right now, since a GT3 has always been about lightness. After all, a convertible’s loss of a roof means less chassis rigidity, while the added structural bracing to compensate for the lost rigidity should mean a heavier GT3, right? While that’s indeed the case, the weight gain is extremely modest—less than 50 kg from a 911 GT3 Touring, in fact. That’s also despite having a power-folding fabric top that deploys or stows behind the rear occupants in just 12 seconds.

Indeed, the modest weight gain has meant that its 3.9-second 0-100 kph time is unchanged from the manual-equipped GT3 Touring. Thank the 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six that screams to 9,000 rpm, which, even if it gets the cams of a version of this engine in the GT3 RS, it still produces a healthy 510 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Its sole transmission option is a six-speed manual, and that should already give you a hint of what the Porsche 911 S/C is all about.

You see, the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C combines some of the bits from the GT3 RS, such as the dual-vented carbon hood, the wider rear wheel arches, the Gurney lip at the active rear spoiler, as well as a ton of carbon fiber parts, including ones that aren’t visible to the naked eye, like the rear antiroll bar. Yet at the same time, by having a manual and a convertible top, the main premise of the GT3 S/C isn’t achieving the fastest lap times. If you want that, the GT3 RS is the vehicle for you. Instead, the GT3 S/C is all about the drama and joy of driving—one that’s amplified by the loud 9,000-rpm screaming flat-six that’s best heard with the roof down.

Of course, as with every Porsche model, the 911 GT3 S/C can be customized to your heart’s content. Forming a solid foundation to its sporty looks is the available Street Style Package. This adds graphics on the front fenders, together with Porsche lettering on the sides, and these are matched with this package’s red wheels from GT3 RS. This is matched with eye-catching red plaid upholstery on the seats, along with extensive use of leather throughout the interior. Finally, this also adds a tasty open-pore walnut shift lever.

If you’re already in the market for this car, you’ll no doubt be interested in this 911 GT3 S/C Porsche Design chronograph that’s exclusive to buyers of this special model. The watch is finished in a titanium case that can be coated in black titanium carbide, while the strap uses leather from the seats. Topping it all off is a GT3-themed dial, while the back of the watch mirrors the design of the GT3 S/C’s wheels.

The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C will, thankfully, be a series production model and not one that will only be produced in limited numbers. The question is, do you like the 911 GT3 S/C’s purpose for open-top driving pleasure and not necessarily lap times?