What: 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Color: Paint to Sample Signal Yellow (signalgelb; non-metallic UNI; R1007 / 6823 / 114 / 7272; Porsche) VIN: WP0AC2A98JS175624 Mileage: 18,776 Price: $345,991 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Porsche San Francisco Dealer listing:Link
Some of us a are more, well, thorough than others when it comes to the Tailored Driver ethos. Paint to Sample colors are incredibly prevalent, so if you really want to set yourself apart from the others at your local Cars and Coffee (especially in the Bay Area), you have to bring it. The former owner of this Tailored Driver sure as hell got that memo, as they took their Signal Green GT3 and went nearly full Cup car by curating tasteful items from BBS Motorsport (E88 Wheels), Manthey Racing (3-way Clubsport suspension), Dundon Motorsport (D3 Engine package) and Porsche Motorsport (Fenders, Liners, Splitter) to arrive at the result seen above. For good measure, it’s also got a few OEM+ touches as well, specifically a carbon hood from a 911R, GT3 RS Side Skirts, and brake cooling ducts from the GT4 RS. If this is your idea of perfection, head to Porsche San Francisco to achieve Platinum-level Tailored Driver status.
What: 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Color: Paint to Sample Irish Green (irischgrün; non-metallic UNI; L60E; Porsche) VIN: WP0AC2A92NS271142 Mileage: 1,383 Price: Contact Dealer CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Costa Mesa, CA Listing:European Collectibles
The iconic Porsche color of Irish Green looks the business on a 60s/70s F-body 911, and really everything else in between. Such is the reason that Irish Green is a regular hit on the Paint to Sample color palette for an in-the-know buyer looking to spec their car in Porsche heritage.
What’s the origin of Irish Green at Porsche? It first appeared in 1964 on the Porsche 356C models, and would quickly become Ferry Porsche’s favorite Green… which is saying something because Ferry Porsche loved greens in general.
In the case of this GT3 Touring, the Irish Green paint is paired with a subdued black leather interior that really harks the era from which Irish Green emerged.
What: 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Color: Paint to Sample Viola Purple Metallic (veilchenlilametallic; metallic UNI; W84; Porsche) VIN: WP0AC2A94JS176463 Mileage: 11,525 Price at Time of this Writing: $209,995 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: Link Location: Glen Cove, NY Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
Not to be confused with the much darker Viola Metallic, Porsche’s Paint to Sample Viola Purple Metallic is a much more playful, vibrant flavor of the historically royal color. When paired with Porsche’s sporting GT3 variant of it’s iconic 911, Viola Purple Metallic represents a juxtaposition that proves its Tailor is not one to take themselves too seriously. On the inside, splashes of yellow deviate from Black leather and Race Tex, most predominantly in the form of seat belts, stitching, and headrest script. In all it’s a bold package that seems to just simply work.
While the Paint to Sample program has enjoyed a long history at Porsche, it’s safe to say that custom colors weren’t nearly as common back in 2014 as they are in today’s private commission-all-the-things model. Over the years, and likely inspired by privately commissioned reimagineers like Singer, Porsche has found the value in making its in-house tailoring programs much more widely offered. That’s more of a recent phenomenon though, and we don’t need to go that far back to find years where a PTS Porsche was a lot less common. That relative rarity is one of the reasons cars like this 2014 911 GT3 (Vin: WP0AC2A91ES183490) painted in eye-catching Riviera Blue (rivierablau; nonmetallic UNI; 39E; Porsche) are so noteworthy.
We’d also argue cars like this 911 GT3 are a bit of a sweet spot. They’re new enough to offer modern amenities, reliability and rust-proofing, but old enough to be rare and relatively affordable ($139,900)… at least in the context of a Porsche GT car. We’d also argue the 997-era 911 hits the sweet spot in size, a little bit larger and more livable than the original air-cooled cars yet not as remarkably wide as modern ones.
Back to this particular car, it’s currently in inventory at Udrive Automobiles in West Chester, PA, has logged 55,174 miles. Its specification is made more attractive by the presence of red stitching and comfort seats, though it notably has the PDK twin-clutch automatic transmission that is less desirable than a manual. Modifications are relatively short, but they are there and include most of the original parts such as wheels and steering wheel.
Check out more details over at Udrive Automobiles HERE.
Following Porsche’s premiere of the new 911 GT3 and GT3 Touring, Porsche dropped a new round of marketing shots on their social media feed. In the case of the GT3 (non-touring), it’s the same specification Pure White (purweiß; nonmetallic UNI; Z99; Porsche) exterior color with Weissach Package.
While we’ve run the entire mix of PR photos available so far, we also wanted to include these marketing shots. They show some other angles and details that haven’t been seen before.
The 911 GT3 has offered the ultimate combination of racing genes and day-to-day usability since its introduction in 1999. To mark its 25th anniversary, the new model will launch simultaneously in two versions for the first time: as a track-focused sports car with a rear wing and as a more understated version with a Touring package. With tailor-made packages and innovative options, the GT3 variants can be further customised to the customer’s taste and intended use.
[source: Porsche AG]
Porsche is relaunching the 911 GT3. The exceptionally track-ready road sports car makes its debut in its anniversary year with an expanded lightweight strategy, a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre boxer engine with 375 kW (510 PS) and 450 Nm, and new, highly customer-focused options. The Weissach package, available for the first time in the 911 GT3, offers even more custom configuration options for use on the track. In addition, the sports car comes with more extensive standard equipment and other options that further enhance its precision and sportiness.
911 GT3 with modern styling
The new 911 GT3 models feature a sharpened design in the front and rear as well as adapted aerodynamics. In both variants, the re-contoured front diffuser, the refined shape of the spoiler lip and modified fins on the underbody increase downforce and optimise the air flow. Redesigned Matrix LED headlights, available on the 911 GT3 with an optional white accent ring, combine all the light functions of the 911 and eliminate the need for additional lights in the front apron. This enables an enlarged air inlet area and a clearly structured look. In the rear, the diffuser, air inlets and rear lid have been redesigned. The rear wing of the 911 GT3 has new angled sideplates.
Porsche uses specially developed, aerodynamically shaped trailing arms with a teardrop profile on the double-wishbone front axle. They increase downforce in the wheel arch at high speeds and improve brake cooling. To ensure that the downforce balance between the front and rear axles is maintained even when braking from high speeds, the suspension engineers have reduced pitching (antidive). On the new 911 GT3, the front ball joint of the lower trailing arm has been set lower on the front axle to facilitate this. The 911 GT3 has adopted these modifications from the current 911 GT3 RS. The 911 GT3 comes standard with 255/35 ZR 20 (front) and 315/30 ZR 21 (rear) sports tyres with improved wet grip; optionally, track tyres with road approval are available.
Touring package available from launch and even more customisable
With the model change, Porsche is defining the variants of the 911 GT3 even more clearly. For the first time, the popular Touring package will be available right from the market launch. The “Touring Package” designation goes back to an equipment variant of the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7. It has been part of the GT3 programme since 2017. It’s even more distinctive in the new 911 GT3, as reflected in the “911 GT3 touring” logo on the rear lid grille. The 911 GT3 with Touring package dispenses with the fixed wing and thus preserves the timelessly elegant line of the 911. An extendable rear spoiler with a tear-off edge, the famed Gurney flap, and an adapted fin design on the underbody provide aerodynamic balance. The interior offers a high-quality leather interior and a classic sporty ambience.
For the first time, a rear seat system for the 911 GT3 with Touring package is available as an option. This allows the everyday sports car to be adapted even more individually to the wishes of the customer for maximum driving pleasure on winding country roads. “Particularly on winding country roads, you can clearly feel that the steering is even better tuned than its predecessor,” says Porsche brand ambassador Walter Röhrl. “It instils even greater confidence in the car because it responds more calmly from the centre position without losing any of its directness. The shorter gear ratio also significantly enhances driving pleasure on country roads.”
Lightweight design throughout
Its low overall weight contributes to the agile and direct handling of the 911 GT3. The new 911 GT3 goes all-in on lightweight design. A new, silver-coloured lightweight aluminium wheel reduces the unsprung masses by more than 1.5 kg compared to the previous model. Optionally, magnesium wheels are available with the Weissach package or the Leichtbau (lightweight) package. They save nine kilograms. A new 40 Ah lithium-ion lightweight battery contributes to the athletic body mass index by shaving off another roughly four kilograms. In the lightest configuration, the new 911 GT3 weighs just 1,420 kilograms.
Eight percent shorter gear ratio
The 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine in the new 911 GT3 has been designed for current, significantly stricter exhaust standards and equipped with two particulate filters and four catalytic converters. With this extremely powerful emission control system, Porsche also delivers a gripping soundscape. The engine power of the six-cylinder boxer engine was attained through a series of optimization measures. The cylinder heads have been revised, and the sharper camshafts of the 911 GT3 RS provide even more dynamic performance in the upper engine-speed range.
In addition, flow-optimised individual throttle valves and optimised oil coolers are used. The boxer continues to deliver 375 kW (510 PS). This means that each kilowatt of the revamped high-speed naturally aspirated engine only has to move 3.8 kilograms (2.8 kg/PS) in the lightest vehicle configuration. In addition, both the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) and the 6-speed GT manual transmission have a final drive ratio that is eight percent shorter than in the predecessor. Both gearbox options are available for both the 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 with Touring package. The new 911 GT3 accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds with PDK and reaches a top speed of 311 km/h (manual gearbox: 3.9 s; 313 km/h).
“On the track, the new 911 GT3 enables even better control because it holds even steadier and handles better on bumps and when driving over kerbs thanks to the optimised damper tuning,” says brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister. “The anti-dive system noticeably reduces the pitching movement when braking. As a result, the balance of the car remains significantly more consistent under all conditions.”
Innovative lightweight sports bucket seat
For the new 911 GT3, a new lightweight sports bucket seat with a folding backrest and a seat shell made of CFRP is available as an option. The seat is equipped with an integrated thorax airbag, electric height adjustment and manual longitudinal adjustment; a three-stage seat heater is available as an option. A part of the headrest padding can be removed. This improves ergonomics for most drivers when wearing a helmet during circuit use. The folding function of the backrest, which is activated via a loop, enables access to the optional rear seat system offered for the first time in the 911 GT3 with Touring package. As an alternative, you can order the Adaptive Sports Seats Plus with electric 18-way adjustment.
The black two-seater standard cockpit in the new 911 GT3 is based on the design of the current 911 models. Unlike the Carrera models, however, the 911 GT3 is not started with a button, but still has a rotary ignition switch. An optionally available roll-over bar demonstrates the proximity to motorsport. The digital instrument panel in the centre supports the driver with a clearly structured display and control concept. Thanks to the contrasting colour scheme, the rev counter and stopwatch can be read in a flash. The “Track Screen” display mode reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the tachometer to key data on tyres, oil, water and fuel and indicates the optimal shifting time to the driver by way of a shift flash. If desired, the tachometer display can be rotated so that the cut-off speed of 9,000 rpm is at the 12 o’clock marking.
Individual packages for 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 Touring
Porsche offers various equipment packages for the new 911 GT3. With the Weissach package available for the first time, the 911 GT3 is even more individually configurable for use on circuits. The anti-roll bar, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP as are the roof, sideplates of the rear wing, exterior mirror top shell, mirror triangle and the airblades in the front area. Additional leather and Race-Tex upholstery enhance the look of the interior. For the first time, the upper side of the dashboard on the 911 GT3 is accordingly covered in anti-glare Racetex. CFRP door handles and storage nets optimise the interior door panels for a lightweight design. A CFRP roll cage and magnesium lightweight forged wheels are available as options.
For the 911 GT3 with Touring package, Porsche offers the Leichtbau package. Here, the roof painted in the exterior colour as well as the stabiliser, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP. The lightweight magnesium forged wheels and the lightweight door panels are also part of the package. In conjunction with the standard 6-speed GT sports gearbox, the shortened gear lever from the 911 S/T is used. In front of the gear lever, a plaque with the inscription “Leichtbau” indicates the package.
For the 911 GT3 with rear wing, the Clubsport package for track use is available at no extra charge. It includes a bolted steel roll cage in the rear, a 6-point harness for the driver and a hand-held fire extinguisher. The optional lightweight sports bucket seats are a prerequisite for this.
“The new 911 GT3 has become even more exhilarating and individual. We dug into a wealth of details and gave it many features that our customers wanted. This allows the GT3 to be adapted even more specifically to the purpose or preferences of the driver,” says Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars.
Exclusive chronograph is a “sports car for the wrist”
Exclusively for owners of the 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 Touring, Porsche Design presents an exceptional timepiece that translates the design and performance of the sports car to the wrist. The 911 GT3 chronograph and the 911 GT3 Touring chronograph are equipped with the precise, COSC-certified Porsche Design WERK 01.200 movement, which has a flyback function. The ultra-lightweight titanium case, optionally with black titanium carbide coating, combines sports car design with modern watchmaking.
The GT3 design dial with yellow accents and hexagonal structure evokes the vehicle’s instrument panel, while the winding rotor is based on the design of the GT3 rims. The dial ring is available in all exterior colours of the 911 GT3 and the Touring package, as well as in the colours of the Paint to Sample programme. The band, crafted using original Porsche interior leather and thread, is also matched to the respective configuration of the vehicle.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 and the new Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring package can be ordered from the end of the year.
Porsche is about to launch its first 992.2-based GT car, and it’s likely the updated freshening of the GT3 and GT3 Touring. To message that, they dropped this teaser image along with confirmation of a digital world premiere on October 18 at 18:30 CEST (12:30 EST).
How do we know it’s the GT3? Call it an educated guess. The image shows a car with no vented front fenders and a fixed rear wing. The statement by Porsche also confirms two versions of its first 992.2 “GT Car”… like say a GT3 and a GT3 Touring.
Of course, this being Tailored Driver, it’s also worth mentioning that Porsche stated, “Both (versions) have become even more emotional, offer customers even more individuality and come up with innovative detailed solutions.”
We’ll post the full text below.
First GT model of the new 911 generation
New model debuts in two variants
Even more emotional, more individual and innovative than its predecessor
First driving impressions of professional pilots Walter Röhrl and Jörg Bergmeister
Digital world premiere on 18. October 2024 at 18:30 CEST
[source: Porsche AG]
Stuttgart The first GT model of the new 911 generation is in the starting blocks. In a digital world premiere, Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Vehicles, will present the further developed vehicle together with the brand ambassadors Walter Röhrl and Jörg Bergmeister. The new 911 from the GT forge in Flacht will be presented in two variants at the same time. Both have become even more emotional, offer customers even more individuality and come up with innovative detailed solutions.
Broadcast in the Porsche Newsroom The world premiere of the new 911 GT model will be on 18. October at 18:30 CEST in the Porsche Newsroom at newsroom.porsche.de as well as on the Porsche channels on Youtube and LinkedIn and can then be accessed on demand.
Have you ever wanted to be Chris Harris? Former presenter on Top Gear, legendary YouTube reviewer, automotive journalist and generally beloved petrolhead about town? Well unfortunately you can’t, but here’s a great opportunity to be just like him.
Nearly identical to his daily driver, this PTS Speed Yellow Porsche 911 GT3 Touring (VIN: WP0AC2A97KS149176) could be your first class ticket to imitation- and they say that’s the most sincere form of flattery. But unlike his daily, this has many, many fewer miles (just 228!), wheels finished in black and features Carbon Ceramic Brakes from factory.
Our more eagle-eyed readers will be quick to note that Chris had his car wrapped in a slightly darker variant of Yellow, which is fair. But if you’ve got the $299,900 to acquire this Tailored Driver, certainly you’ve got the scratch to follow Mr. Harris’ lead, should you choose to do so.
Visit Portland’s Gran Prix Motors to see the full listing, here.
For the first time, Porsche has implemented a customer-specific Paint to Sample Plus colour in a new process.
[source: Porsche AG]
Guards Red, Racing Yellow, Carrara White Metallic – just a few of the familiar names for colours from the Porsche Car Configurator. Now a brilliantly rich green will join the palette. Michael Essmann, a long-standing Porsche lover and Managing Director of family business Elektro Essmann, has had his very own individual colour made within the scope of the Paint to Sample Plus range. As part of the model year R Paint to Sample range, starting in March 2023 the exterior colour Essmanngreen, colour code 24C, will also be available through the Car Configurator for customers of the 911, 718 and Taycan model lines.
As far back as 1992, Michael Essmann had a 911 Carrera RS 3.6 (964) painted in the company colour of the master workshop for electrical installations and photovoltaic systems – the first Porsche model in Essmanngreen. Other cars followed, including a 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (997) and most recently a 911 GT3 Touring (992). Sons Mike and Stefan Essmann compete successfully in the Porsche Sports Cup, with racing cars naturally, these also displaying Essmanngreen accents on the bodies.
“My very first Porsche was a 911 SC in 1978 with which I also graduated from the Sport Driving School,” recalls Michael Essmann. “It was painted Opal Metallic. It was only later that I had the idea of using the colour of our family business for my private cars too. But every time I pick up a new Porsche in this very special colour it’s a great feeling. And to know that I’m the originator of this colour named after me.”
Highest quality and perfect colour matching
While the Custom Colour of the 964 was blended in the After Sales painting process that was standard at the time 30 years ago, the current Essmann Porsche benefits from Porsche professionalising the range of special exterior colours in 2021 and significantly expanding its capacity. A new colour-mixing bench has been put into operation at the main plant in Zuffenhausen, where paint specialists blend several dozen ingredients down to the last milligram to achieve the desired shade. When the binding agents and additives are included, the recipe for Essmanngreen contains over 100 ingredients.
Each batch is divided into two paint pots for bodywork and add-on parts. The areas to be painted on the vehicle consist largely of aluminium, plastics and carbon/fibreglass composites. This mix of materials and the different application methods and drying temperatures require slightly different paint compositions, depending on the component. A test body and so-called batch comparison plates are painted and used as a colour reference for the final acceptance of the car.
These completely new processes designed for high quality with the combination of craftsmanship and industrialisation required the re-development, testing and approval of all colours, some of which had already been used successfully in the past in the old paint shop. This is why it was necessary to develop a paint recipe for Essmanngreen on Type 992 because it was last used successfully in the old paint shop for Type 997.
“Unusual paint finishes are part of the history of our brand and are an important differentiating feature,” says Alexander Fabig, Head of Individualisation and Classic. “The intelligent combination of the production process and its industrialisation is unique. Our customers thus enjoy a very wide range of available colours and many custom paint finishes that meet the highest standards. Every colour must be deemed suitable for many different surfaces and materials – perfect colour matching is what is wanted.”
170 additional colours across all model series
Porsche has extended its colour range while simultaneously restructuring it. “Paint to Sample” used to be known as “Custom Colour”. This category includes predefined colours that have already been technically approved by the paint specialists at Porsche.
For especially individual colour requests, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur goes a step further: “Paint to Sample Plus” allows almost complete freedom in selecting the paintwork based on a sample submitted by the customer. Thus, the Essmanngreen colour on Michael Essmann’s 911 GT3 Touring was first created as a “Paint to Sample Plus”. After technical approval, the Porsche paint specialists then added the colour to the “Paint to Sample” programme. There, Essmanngreen can now be selected from anyone who is interested via the Porsche Car Configurator. The process was started by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, who painted a brand-new 911 GT3 RS (992) in the this colour for exhibition purposes.
The overall range of “Colours of Choice” is very big. For the 911 and 718 model series, there are currently 115 additional paint colours to choose from, For the Taycan there are currently 108 such options, while for the Panamera and the Macan the number is 59, with the Cayenne offering a choice of 52 different colours. Taking into account a number of overlaps, there are 170 additional colours for all model series combined.
Personal design even in the interior
Michael Essmann selected not only “Paint to Sample Plus” but also further custom options from the Sonderwunsch programme of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. For example, his very personal 911 GT3 Touring (992) has a Porsche logo on the side whose look is based on the Porsche Heritage Design models.
In the interior, the seats were customised. Based on the 964 RS, the seat centres have a graduated colour design in Slate Grey and Crayon. Trim made of carbon enhances the dashboards. The “touring” logo is stitched into the headrests of the full bucket seats in red thread. This fits in with the overall concept as Elektro Essmann also uses red as a contrasting colour.
About Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
A sports car as individual as your own fingerprint, as unmistakable as your own lifestyle: Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in Zuffenhausen creates very personal customer vehicles through a combination of perfect craftsmanship and a high-tech approach. Highly qualified employees with decades of expertise devote their full attention to every detail and enhance it through hand craftsmanship.
The experts can draw on a wide range of visual and technical customisation options for the exterior and interior of Porsche cars. Visible examples include Sport Design packages, custom rim designs and interior trims, as well as the comprehensive “Paint to Sample” range for all Porsche models. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur fulfils the highest demands with regard to materials and craftsmanship. Alongside individual customer vehicles, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur also produces limited small series and editions. High-quality materials are combined with modern production technologies to create a harmonious overall concept.
