Performance Review: Porsche 911 GT3 996 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 911 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 911 GT3 996 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Porsche 911 has a 3600cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 911 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 911's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1380 kgs (3042 lbs) this makes the Porsche 911 GT3 996 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 911 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3600cc 24V St6 engine produces 381 bhp (284 kW) @ 7400 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 284 lb-ft (385.0 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 911 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (300.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 911.

The Porsche 911 has a Power to weight ratio of 276.0 bhp per ton and 205.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 911 competing with the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (300.8 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Aston-Martin DBS V12 2d (300.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 911 generating around 205.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (230.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Porsche 928 GTS 5.4L V8 (230.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Porsche 911 GT3 996 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This Porsche 911 GT3 996 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 911 and the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 911 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.57 secs @ 108.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo (12.51 secs), the 2003 Volvo S60 2.5R (12.51 secs), and the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (12.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Porsche 911 GT3 996 has a maximum speed of 190mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 911 equals the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Porsche 911 GT3 996 then how about the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph), the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 RWD (201 mph).

Related Links:

2003 911 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison