Convertible GT3! The latest Porsche 911 GT3 S/C goes roofless | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat

TL;DR

The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C merges GT3 performance with a fully automatic Cabriolet roof, developed in just 15 months without changing the GT3 Touring's suspension.

Key Points

• 1.The GT3 S/C uses the full GT3 engine and drivetrain unchanged. It packs the 4-liter naturally aspirated flat-six producing 502 bhp and 331 lb-ft of torque, revving to 9,000 RPM, with a manual gearbox only — no PDK option.
• 2.Andreas Preuninger says the car originated from a scrapped prototype experiment. Engineers mated a Carrera 4 Cabriolet prototype destined for the scrap heap with an early GT3 prototype, swapping all suspension, drivetrain, and interior components to test the concept.
• 3.The suspension setup required zero changes from the GT3 Touring. Despite expecting to retune springs and dampers for the heavier convertible body, every test driver found the stock Touring settings worked perfectly, saving development time.
• 4.Keeping weight below 1,500 kg was critical for homologation, not just performance. At 1,497 kg with a full tank, the 70 kg penalty of the automated roof was offset by magnesium wheels (saving 19 lb), PCCB carbon ceramic brakes (saving 44 lb), carbon fiber doors and front wings from the S/T, a lightweight battery (saving 9 lb), and a carbon fiber anti-roll bar.
• 5.The car was developed in just 15 months, far faster than a typical 3-year cycle. Staying within the existing GT3 Touring homologation avoided full re-homologation for emissions, and the small-series homologation also allowed deletion of mandatory speed warnings and lane assist.
• 6.The GT3 S/C has a precedent in Porsche history — including a unique 1993 968 Club Sport Cabriolet. Only one 968 Club Sport Cabriolet was ever built (versus 1,538 coupes), sharing the same ethos of bucket seats, no rear seats, and weight reduction; a 917/10 Can-Am car and a 356 C police Cabriolet also sit in the Porsche archives as roofless icons.
• 7.Preuninger positions the S/C as a soulful road car, not a track tool, starting at $273,000. Unlike the fiddly manual roofs of the Spyder and Speedster, the automated roof opens in 12 seconds at up to 31 mph, making it the convertible GT owners will actually use; Preuninger calls it his current favorite GT car.