Why the first Porsche 911 GT3 is still a gamechanger

Gamechanger: the first Porsche 911 GT3

Designed to excel on road and track

September 18, 2025 | 3 min read

Porsche 911 GT3 (type 996) parked on road, bridge in foreground

Everything you need to know about the 996 GT3, the car that started a long-line of track-focused, road-going 911 sportscars

The year 1999 holds a very special place in Porsche history. Because it was then that Porsche introduced the GT3 badge to the 911 sportscar. The type-996 GT3 welcomed not just the birth of a modern Porsche icon, it heralded the start of a long dynasty of performance 911 sportscars that excel on both road and track.

While the GT3 badge might have been new, the intention behind it wasn’t. Following in the footsteps of the 911 Carrera RS models, the 996 GT3 was introduced as the successor to the 993 Carrera RS. Like that car, it continued a legacy of lightweight, driver-focussed, motorsport-derived 911 models that are still revered today.

Porsche 911 GT3 (type 996) driving on open road — The 911 (type 996) was the first model to introduce the GT3 name, sparking a legacy that has continued for more than 25 years Photo: Porsche

What was the first 911 GT3?

The first 911 GT3, known as the 996, was introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show in 1999 as a road-legal homologation car for Porsche Motorsport. Based on the narrow body of the 996 Carrera 4, the GT3 version featured uprated suspension, stiffer bushings, bigger brakes and a fixed rear wing that has since become a hallmark of the GT3.

Porsche also introduced a Clubsport package more oriented for track use. It included a bolted steel rear roll cage, bucket seats, a six-point seatbelt harness and a fire extinguisher.

What engine does the 996 GT3 have?

The 996 GT3 debuted with a 3.6-litre, water-cooled version of the legendary Mezger flat-six boxer engine, which was used in the 911 GT1 Le Mans car and designed for the ardours of endurance racing.

With a rev limit of 7,800rpm and peak power of 360 PS (355 hp), the 996 GT3 can sprint from 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.8 seconds, going on to a top speed of 302 km/h (188 mph). It was the first road-approved series-production car to complete a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than eight minutes.

Rear view of Porsche 911 GT3 (type 996.2) driving on Alpine road — A more powerful and lighter version of the 911 GT3 launched in 2003 Photo: Porsche

In 2003, a revised version of the 996 GT3 followed, which became known as the 996.2 GT3. With a new rear wing, wheels and headlights, it was visibly different to its older brother, but it also came with a significant power and performance upgrade.

With 381 PS (376 hp), the new car could now accelerate from 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.5 seconds and had a 306km/h (190 mph) top speed. It also introduced Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) for the first time, which reduced the unsprung mass of the car by 18kg (40 lbs), further helping its handling and performance.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (type 996) parked on Alpine road with trees and lake in background — Lighter, faster and even more track ready, the 996 GT3 RS is a true driver’s car Photo: Porsche

What is the Porsche 996 GT3 RS?

Following the 996.2 GT3 RS, Porsche introduced an even more stripped-back and track-focused version in 2003. The 996 GT3 RS was built to adhere to homologation rules for the GT3 race car. The GT3 RS featured the same engine as the revised GT3, with identical power figures but with a further 50kg (110 lbs) of weight stripped from the RS version, the car now sprinted from 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.2 seconds with an identical top speed of 306km/h (190 mph).

Helping the car save weight were carbon brakes, a polycarbonate window, a carbon hood and carbon rear wing. Only one colour was offered: white with either red or blue wheels, and racing stripes with GT3 RS script adorning the sides.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (type 996) racing at the Nürburgring — The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR was the last of the 996-era race cars, pictured here competing at the Nürburgring Photo: Porsche

Was the Porsche 911 GT3 a racing car?

The 996 GT3 saw plenty of track action over the years. The 996 Cup car, which served as the basis for the GT3 road car, raced from 1998 until 2005. In 2000, Porsche introduced the 911 GT3 R as a replacement for the 993 RSR to race in the FIA GT Championship of that year. It won every race in its class, including the famous 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

The 996 GT3 R only raced for one year to make way for the revised 911 GT3 RS race car, which again dominated international motorsport. Porsche retired the GT3 RS in 2004, introducing the 911 GT3 RSR as its replacement. Based on the road-going 996 GT3 RS, the car was built to compete at Le Mans and in the American Le Mans series and raced until the 997 version of the 911 was launched in 2006.

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