Porsche continues to prove that it’s a master creator of niches with yet another new edition of their 911 based on the GT3, the Touring Package (TP). It borrows its name from an equipment variant of the 911 Carrera RS from 1973.
Available exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the new 911 GT3 Touring Package follows close on the heels of the similarly fashioned 911 R. However, unlike the latter that was limited to just 991 units resulting in outrageous prices in the used car market this one will be produced as a regular model.
While maintaining the same naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat six with 500PS (493hp) and 460 Nm (339 lb-ft) as the original 911 GT3 that results in a 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 3.9 sec and a top speed of 316 km/h (196mph) or 2mph less than the standard car, the TP is less extreme offering more equipment for the same price.
On the outside, it loses the recently facelifted GT3’s jumbo-sized rear wing gaining a more understated look with the regular 911 Carrera’s automatically deploying spoiler. Other unique features include the silver-colored side window strips, sports exhaust system tailpipes and headlight washer system covers, as well as the Porsche logo at the rear. In the “Black Exterior Touring Package” equipment option, these elements are in black, as with the 911 GT3. Finally, the front and rear lights are dark-tinted.
The interior gets a few upgrades as well thanks to Porsche swapping out most Alcantara surfaces for fine leather that now covers the steering wheel, gearlever, door panels and lower center console. The seat centers are now made of black fabric while the headrests feature embossed Porsche crests and all seams in the partial leather interior are sewn in black thread. Another special touch to the interior is the trim in black aluminum.
While Porsche usually ends up charging you more whenever it removes stuff from its cars or upgrades their equipment, that’s not the case here as the new Touring Package has the exact same price as the standard GT3 at $143,600 in the U.S. before destination or EUR 152,416 in Germany.
We’ll see the new 911 GT3 Touring Package in person at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
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