Porsche Updates 911 GT3

STUTTGART, Germany — Porsche's redesigned 911GT3 will debut in early March at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and will go on sale later this year in Europe. The automaker has announced U.K. pricing, which will start at $116,500.

Engineered for the racetrack and the street, the new 911GT3 boasts a larger, 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine. The normally aspirated flat-six gets a boost in output, to 429 horsepower, thanks in part to improved cylinder-head gas flow and adjustable VarioCam camshafts.

The car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.1 seconds and can reach a top speed of 194 mph.

On the new 911GT3, the Porsche Stability Management system enables the driver to deactivate the stability control and traction control in separate steps at the touch of a button. The Porsche Active Suspension Management gets stiffer springs and stabilizer bars, and the car features lighter wheels with ultra-high-performance tires. Brakes have been upgraded, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are available as an option.

Porsche also offers several track-oriented options, notably active engine mounts, as well as an optional front-axle lift system that provides additional ground clearance on bumpy roads. An optional aerodynamics package bundles modified air intakes and outlets with LED taillamps and bi-xenon headlamps.

Inside Line says: It's what's under the skin that matters most to the friendly folks in Zuffenhausen. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent