Is the 2022 Porsche GT3 Touring an Abomination or a Great Idea?
One Porsche fan recently told me that stripping the GT3 of its wing is like taking Thors hammer, a statement I was inclined to agree with. Yet, after taking a minute and thinking it through, I reminded him that not everyone who buys this amazing car intends to break lap records on the worlds most difficult racetracks.Okay, so if you dont want a track-oriented Porsche and luxury and mind-blowing performance figures are top priorities, why the heck would you buy a GT3 and not a Turbo S?There are many reasons for that and the first one that springs to mind is the price. Like the standard GT3 , the Touring has a starting MSRP of $161,100 excluding the $1,350 delivery fee, while the 641-hp Turbo S demands almost $41,000 more. Even the detuned Turbo variant, which is still more powerful than the GT3 with 573 hp on tap, is about $13,000 more expensive.Another reason would be that those who choose the Touring still want the track-focused performance offered by the GT3, but would rather have it in a less extravagant package.Yes, the swan-neck rear wing that works wonders for the cars aero is gone, but that doesnt mean it will be less fun to drive on a racetrack. Engineers replaced it with an automatically extending spoiler to increase downforce at high speeds, so even if it wont be as effective as the innovative wing, it will still do an excellent job at keeping the car planted to the ground.But the most obvious reason is that some people want a motorsport-derived Porsche that looks and feels more like its ancestors, and less like a modern race car.This package also comes with the same interior configuration as its standard sibling but ditches the sporty Alcantara in favor of black leather. The steering wheel rim, gear lever, center console lid, door panel armrests, and handles are all upholstered in the high-quality material, resulting in an upscale cabin that is more in tune with fans of classic and elegant Porsches.Not quite a sleeper but close to one, the GT3 Touring is a track monster in a tuxedo, and in my book, the availability of such a car is a great idea. It doesnt replace the standard winged model, but offers a more subtle and classy alternative that is in no way blasphemous.Available at no extra cost , the package traces its roots to a trim with the same name offered on the 1973 911 Carrera RS, so its not a new idea but a continuation of a Porsche tradition.For the first time, the Touring version will be available with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in the U.S and except for California dealerships, a six-speed manual will be offered as a free-of-charge option.