Geneva Motor Show: 2018 Porsche 991.2 911 GT3 revealed

There are plenty of detail changes to Porsche’s new 911 GT3, some of them significant, but the most important thing is yes, it is now available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Following the outrageous demand for the manual-only 911R and Cayman GT4, Porsche has reintroduced three pedals and a lever, the six-speed ’box a bespoke unit rather than an adaption of the PDK gearbox like the regular 911’s seven-speed manual.

It drops the GT3’s weight to 1420kg (down 10kg), which combined with outputs increasing from 350kW/440Nm to 368kW/460Nm means the new GT3 matches the power-to-weight ratio of the previous 911 GT3 RS.

This power comes from a 4.0-litre flat-six that revs to 9000rpm, with internal weight and friction reduced courtesy of new pistons, bearings, crank case and lubrication system. A larger intake plenum also boosts mid-range torque.

Acceleration to 100km/h improves by 0.1sec for the PDK model to 3.4sec, with the manual 0.5sec slower at 3.9sec. Top speed for both variants nudges 320km/h.

All-wheel steering is once again standard, and the wheels remain centre-lock 20 inchers wearing track-ready Dunlop or Michelin tyres measuring 245/35 front and 305/30 rear.

Ride height has been dropped 25mm, but while the standard steel brakes are still 380mm rotors clamped by six-piston calipers front and four-piston rears, the optional carbon-ceramic stoppers now measure a whopping 410mm up front and 390mm at the back.

Styling tweaks front and rear are subtle, but downforce has increased by 20 per cent to 125kg at 300km/h. Inside there’s Porsche’s latest (and excellent) infotainment system, the option of four different types of seats as well as a roll cage and fire extinguisher if you’re a track day fan.

The new Porsche GT3 is scheduled to land in Australia in Q4 2017 at a price of $327,100.