To date, the greatest road car I have ever driven is the Porsche 911 S/T. Its chassis setup, suspension control, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, and 9,000-rpm screamer of a flat-six all come together to create a flawless road-going car, delivering the perfect mix of thrills and drivability.
Given the S/T’s purity and limited quantity (Porsche only made 1,963 of them), I figured we’d never see a convertible version. The same goes for its less special but nearly as exciting sibling, the 911 GT3. That car has never been offered as a drop-top in its 27 years of production. As it turns out, I’m wrong.
Porsche has announced today a new 911 variant called the GT3 S/C. Despite what those letters might suggest, this is not a supercharged 911. Instead, it’s basically a convertible version of the S/T, with that car’s drivetrain and lightweight body panels. If it handles like an S/T and adds the thrills of top-down motoring, the GT3 S/C could end up being the best sports car of all time.
S/C, in this case, means “Sport Cabriolet.” Technically, this car replaces the 911 Speedster from a few years back in the lineup, becoming the latest 911 convertible to pair a naturally aspirated flat-six to a manual transmission.
And what an engine it is. The 4.0-liter flat-six has been around in Porsche’s big-boy GT cars for a while now, and here, it uses the more aggressive camshafts from the GT3 RS to squeeze more power in the upper part of the rev range. Power is the same as the normal GT3’s, at 503 horses, getting to the rear wheels via one of the loveliest six-speed manual ‘boxes I’ve ever used, with the same shorter final drive ratio that originally debuted on the S/T.
There are a bunch of other things from the S/T that make an appearance on the GT3 S/C, too. The hood, the front fenders, the doors, the anti-roll bars, and the shear plate are all made from carbon fiber and taken directly from the S/T. The carbon-ceramic braking system, as well as the 20-inch front, 21-inch rear magnesium wheels, are also S/T parts. Despite using the fully automatic soft top from the standard 911 line, Porsche’s been able to get the weight down to just 3,300 pounds flat. That’s only around 30 pounds heavier than the equivalent fixed-roof GT3 Touring model. Some of that has to do with Porsche using magnesium in parts of the soft top’s skeleton, according to the brand.
The weight isn’t the only thing that should make this car phenomenal to drive. Because this is a proper GT model, the GT3 S/C will get the GT3’s and S/T’s double-wishbone front suspension setup in place of the normal 911 convertible’s MacPherson strut design. Double wishbones are great for a lot of reasons that my colleague (and actual engineer) Huibert Mees has explained in the past, but basically, it improves cornering, braking, and overall handling by allowing engineers to more precisely design the suspension travel and how the tire makes contact with the road.
Another interesting thing about the GT3 S/C is that, even though it uses the normal 911 convertible shell, it’s only available as a two-seater, with no rear-seat option available. Instead, you can have just an empty space behind the seats or an optional storage box that can stash 2.8 cubic feet of stuff. If you’re a stickler about adding weight, just know this box weighs 22 pounds on its own.
Those who want something a bit flashier will be pleased to hear about an available “Street Style Package,” which adds Corvette Grand Sport-like stripes on the front fenders, red “Porsche” decals on either side of the car, red wheels, and a smattering of red and grey on the inside.
While bucket seats are available as an optional extra on the GT3 S/C, Street Style-equipped cars get the standard sport seats with plaid inserts made from four different leather colors. That pattern extends to the glove box, which is fun. The package also includes a wooden gear shifter with the gear pattern in red.
Unlike cars like the Speedster and the S/T, the GT3 S/C isn’t some limited model. It’s a standard series production vehicle, according to Porsche. It also starts at $275,350, which is a staggering $35,500 over the fixed-roof GT3. It’s worth noting the S/C gets a lot of optional stuff as standard, though, like the Lightweight package ($20,350), the magnesium wheels ($17,840), the carbon-ceramic brakes ($10,370), and the leather interior pack ($5,020). Not that anyone in a position to get an allocation will really care either way.
Top graphic image: Porsche
Man, after all these years of making cabs, Porsche still can’t make one pretty. Even for 275k a pop….yikes.
So, there was the 911. They make it more hardcore by making it a GT3. Then less hardcore by making it a convertible.
What I really want is to start with the 911. Hardcore it by making it a T. Then softcore it by making it a Turbo. Then hardcore it by making it an R. Then softcore it by making it Dakar. Then hardcore it by making it a GT3. Then softcore it by making it a convertible. I will only be satisfied if all these steps are completed, ideally by sending the car down the assembly line over and over.
Also, in the process of this, the old badge should repeatedly be scraped off, appended to, or simply pasted over.
The rear seats need to be deleted and re-added at least twice.
The front wheel drive needs to be added with panache and then removed in disgust.
This is the true luxury experience: paying for extra toppings, then paying again to have them removed.
I think we need to forget the track part here for a moment and focus on the 9000rpm NA boxer-6 screamer and manual gearbox. AND open top to experience it fully.
Just watched the Chris Harris video of it, and I think this is quite special thing and kinda even more enthusiast car than GT3. It’s just for hedonisic pleasure, not measurable track results altough according to mr Harris not much is lost in decapitation. And it’s even comfy.
Not that I ever can afford one.
So you want a Porsche built by British Leyland?
If I had that kind of money, I’d get a Carrera T for the driving experience and a convertible LC500 for the open air experience.
Good lord, that dowager’s hump is just… ick.
That rear 3/4 view is really unkind but agreed. And I really like a phat ass…
This is what always bothered me about 911 convertibles — really ungainly from the rear 3/4. A 911 convertible is never an aesthetic decision.
I’ll wait for the 911 GT3 S/Targa.
This is why I think the best 911 was the 991.1/2
Porsche Snob answer is the 993, but the real answer is 997.2 Carrera S.
997.2 GTS was an amazing car as well. Lost the plot after the 997 IMO
Its fugly…. Give me a base 911 coupe with manual and I’ll be much happier.
I love Porsche’s, driven many and even did some work for Porsche, but they’ve just gotten way too expensive. I’m sure it’s an awesome car I’m sure I could have just as much fun in just a base C8 Vette.
The Best Sports Car™ balances experience, performance and accessibility. $275,350 does not fit the bill.
The Boxster Spyder (RIP) is still my favorite Porsche Convertible. I know the gearing was an issue, but there are plenty of really good companies that do that (Deman and Sharkwerks are noteworthy examples).
The 911 cabrio has always looked a bit frumpy and Hunchback of Nortre Dame to me despite the fact that I typically LOVE convertibles. Oh well, I’d need to add a few decimals to my salary to be a buyer for this, so in the end, not a big deal for me.
The proportions just look better on the boxster. The big engine bulb out back just doesn’t look good with a drop top on the 911.
1) A convertible makes this less of a sports car. Better tourer? Maybe. Headline is inaccurate.
2) This thing has a BAD case of bubble butt. And it’s not really a looker to start with.
Hard pass, would spend my ef-you money on dozens of other cars first.
It’s cool that they’re offering it, I’m sure someone will love it, but Porsche permanently answered the 2-seat convertible question 30 years ago, with a stiffer, lighter chassis than any convertible 911 of the same generation and a fixed roll hoop that doesn’t affect interior space or comfort, and now the Spyder offers the GT3’s engine with intake trumpets pointed at your ears.
I concede that the rear-engined character is distinct from the mid-engined version, but the 911 is simply a better car with rear seats than it is without them.
I lost interest in the 911 when they went turbocharged and 7 speed. For a while I was eyeing the (now discontinued) Boxster GTS 4.0 to get a NA Porsche convertible with a 6 speed. The Boxster GTS 4.0 didn’t work out and I thought Porsche would never again build a car with those attributes. This SC solves my issues with the current 911, too bad it’s priced so far out of reach. How do the specs on this compare to the (very limited edition) 991 Speedster?
What? No electric stripes? I want my money back!
You know the price is insane when you can buy a new Mazda MX-5, another convertible sports car, with the price difference between the GT3 and the S/C.
A Mazda MX-5, a better convertible sports car.
Well I didn’t want to be “subjective” about it (while I look out the window at the ND in my driveway)
I saw a very fancy 911 go past the other day, and while it was in a fantastic shade of metallic green, I couldn’t help but wonder if the annual running costs + repayments were more than I paid for my NC.
It’s ugly. There. I said it. It might be the best driving convertible (who cares) ever made, but it’s ugly. The red interior? Ugly. The giant tumor on the rear deck lid hiding the top? Ugly. The stickers? Stickers?
I care slightly less about a sale on roller skates, but only slightly.
I grew up lusting after Porsches and still did until fairly recently, but I just can’t get excited about any of this shit anymore. Whoop de doo, it’s a GT3 with a roof that goes down and a manual transmission so you can brag about how you’re the superior enthusiast to the Cayman GT4RS owner at Cars and Coffee. Yawn.
There are approximately 911 different 911s at this point. All of them are great cars, but that also means none of them are great cars. It’s just an endless dick measuring contest for rich assholes and like 95% of the SpEcIaL ones get mothballed for a few years then sold for $500,000 on Bring A Trailer.
The market for them is so obscene that there’s nothing left to aspire to anymore. There is no hope for the 99%. Porsches have never been affordable, but I’m old enough to remember when they were something you could aspire to and conceivably obtain if you worked hard and played your cards right.
That’s no longer the case, so I no longer care. I also think Porsche has pushed this well beyond its carrying capacity and that the bubble popping is inevitable. There are a finite number of people that can afford $300,000 cars…and while most of them are antisocial freaks that will continue to vacuously consume indefinitely so they can have the BEST and MOST even they have a limit, because you don’t stay rich by buying 30 911s…
Exactly
Well said. 911’s have gone straight into the “too expensive don’t care anymore” bracket. I grew up wanting a 911 and for a few years seriously looked at a few but now I have no desire. 911s are right up there in the Don’t Care bucket with whatever 10 limited edition hypercar gets announced.
My 911 dream has been replaced by the “best C8 I can get my hands on” dream, and as of now that one is very much still within reach.
>replaced by the “best C8 I can get my hands on” dream
You think that, but three years from now there’ll be a new, popular car-selling platform called IKnowWhatIHave.com, where grumpy old men work to permanently triple the price of used Corvettes in a few years.
I agree with the proliferation of 911 trims/models. At this point, 911 is its own brand, and they sell like 50 different models.
And also agree, I care not one bit. I would rather have my dream 981 Cayman S over any of them.
At least until recently, a 718 was the obtainable one.
I could afford a base 718 if I really wanted to but I have a hard time reconciling my potential Porsche purchase not having a flat 6
Type 981 Boxster S with Sport Exhaust.
Repeat after me. Type 981 Boxster S with Sport Exhaust.
Say it again now. Type 981 Boxster S with Sport Exhaust.
That’s it. That’s all you ever need.
I’d even be willing to go with PDK which would save additional money….looks like $45,000ish will still get you a decent one, that’s very much doable
Get the manual you want. Trust me, it’s worth.
My PDK-S from the 991.2 GT3 in my Spyder RS I “don’t hate”, but normal PDK is… meh. I miss my 981 Spyder’s 6MT, even though the Spyder RS does many cool things the Spyder couldn’t.
Just save. Be patient and SAVE. Build that sinking fund.
Then when you got like $40K, start looking so you can figure out when you’ll be ready. Right now I’d say perfect 981 S Sport Exhaust 6MTs are probably $50-55K. They’re worth EVERY cent.
I’d have a base 6MT over an S with the PDK, if the price is comparable. If it’s like the older models, the Sport Exhaust is expensive used, but can be found and is an easy install.
To be fair, he can just be patient and save more. Why compromise? Do it once, right, and never have to do it again. It’s why he has to stop considering NEW base 718s because they’re new. He’ll just keep wanting the 981 engines.
Though I will say I feel the 2.7L is underrated. One of the benefits of the 2.7L is, with the sport exhaust, an incredibly sweet sounding engine that you’ll always be hearing since you’ll always be wringing it out. Smaller bores always give you a higher pitch, so even though the 3.4L is great (and the 3.8L fantastic), the 2.7L is still a very special little engine.
I know exactly what you mean about the 2.7, I got a 2.5 for that very reason!
Not sure I get the point of this. It’s crazy fast but you won’t be able to track it since most don’t allow convertibles without real rollbars. It won’t be any fun at all at normal commuting speeds, and when it gets fun your license will be in serious peril. It’s insanely expensive.
Meh, give me an early 911 that will try to kill me at little more than walking pace. Much more entertaining than this rich orthodontist’s chariot. Probably won’t matter since most of them will probably end up in collections anyway.
A lot of track day organizations have lists of convertibles they’ll let on if they have good enough pop-out deployable roll bars. My local track day group allows 911 cabs on track without permanent roll bars, for example
Most people who’ll be able to buy this already have a GT3RS for the track, and want it to have a twin that’s more fit for a couple’s cruise down Santa Monica.
Most people who buy this are going to stick it in thier curated garage and rub it with soft cloths occasionally.
That, too.
Cameron’s dad in Ferris Beuller.
Exactly.
This is silly. I like it. It has a weirdly Los Angeles sensibility to it. So, then, the perfect thing to register in Montana.
The Honda Fit is already the best sports car of all time but we’re not ready for that conversation.
America can’t have such things.
You will get weighty body-on-frame vehicles instead.
In my Regular Guy™ Porsche nomenclature…
Oh neat, another Porsche in which I look forward to seeing how BATshit the prices get on Bring A Trailer to remind me how poor I am
Someone will still complain about chassis rigidity, but drivers won’t be able to hear them over that flat 6. Having been in the presence of the 991 GT3 going full tilt on a track (and the 992 GT3 race car), anything that gets you more of that engine noise is a good thing.
Sweet Jesus. I had no idea how expensive these things have gotten.
I mean sure the plaid seats are awesome and it’s a manual but if they’re just going to make every body style in GT3 form, then what’s the point of the Carrera?
Remember when the GT3 was strictly the “race car for the road’?
The base Carrera cab is nearly half the price, for one thing
Carrera used to be what GT3 is now, the racing, raw one and they foolishly diluted it down so much that they needed to come up with a new name for their racing, raw 911 and GT3 was born.
Now they’re doing the same thing again. It’s not the racing trim if it’s a convertible.
Nailed it. It’s like BMW ///M, and now certainly AMG.
People wanted an M3 or M5 to say they had the best at the water cooler, but didn’t want to cash the checks the car was writing. So the M3 and M5 got more and more luxo-focused, heavy, etc.
Complete agreement that GT cars are fundamentally more of what 911s were in the 80s and 90s, whereas normal 911s are luxury techno fest touring cars made for people want to say they have a 911, but still be comfy without having to show up at the office in a Mercedes GLE.
Porsche’s notorious options list has overflowed into their trim offerings.