Porsche takes the top off its 911 GT3, keeps the stick shift

The 2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is the first time ever the automaker has made its GT3 available in convertible form.

2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C driving front — *The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is a lightweight convertible with 502 hp. – Porsche AG photo*

Porsche buyers can now get into one of the automaker’s most performance-focused 911 variants and drive it with the top down.

The automaker has unveiled the 2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C, which is the first time ever the automaker has made the GT3 available in convertible form. The S/C stands for Sport Cabriolet.

The lightweight convertible maintains the 911 GT3’s naturally aspirated 4-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, which revs up to a hooliganish 9,000 rpm and produces 502 hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque.

Perhaps the best part about this sport cabriolet is that there is only one transmission option, a short-ratio six-speed manual. The seven-speed PDK (automatic) that is available on the GT3 coupe is not available on the convertible.

The GT3 has rear-wheel drive.

“The new 911 GT3 S/C responds to our customers’ desire for sports cars that are particularly fun to drive. The exciting powertrain of the 911 GT3 comes into its own even more when driving without a roof, especially on winding country roads,” said Frank Moser, vice president, 911 and 718 model line, at Porsche AG, in a news release.

2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C side — *The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C has a similar weight to the coupe. – Porsche AG photo*

Lightweight efforts

The automaker also points out the 911 S/C manages to keep its weight low at 1,497 kilograms, which is pretty close to the coupe version. A GT3 coupe weighs 1,471 kilograms with the stick shift and 1,487 with the automatic.

Porsche said it used high-quality lightweight materials to keep the convertible agile.

Some of the weight-saving features include a hood, fenders and doors made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. The rear anti-roll bar, connecting links and underbody panel under the rear axle are made of carbon fibre.

The brakes use the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system, saving 20 kilos compared to cast iron brake rotors, and the 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are made of magnesium, saving nine kilograms of unsprung weight compared to aluminum wheels.

The interior also has various weight-saving materials.

2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C rear — *Performance figures of the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C are comparable to the coupe. – Porsche AG photo*

Performance

The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, the same as the GT3 coupe with a stick shift. The PDK-equipped coupe does it in 3.4 seconds.

The convertible’s top speed is 313 km/h, the same as the coupe with the manual transmission and two clicks faster than the PDK-equipped coupe’s 311 km/h top speed.

Street Style Package

Porsche is also giving buyers a Street Style Package option.

The package adds decorative graphics on the front wings and “PORSCHE” lettering on the sides in a Pyro Red colour.

Further visual flare is added with tinted HD-Matrix headlights and body-coloured airblades.

2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Street Style Package seats — *The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C with the Street Style Package is as visually vibrant on the inside as outside. – Porsche AG photo*

The interior gets an embroidered Porsche crest, and the seat centre panels and the glove box get four-tone braided leather.

The interior of the Street Style Package cars gets two-tone leather upholstery, contrasting decorative stitching, and door handle loops, seat handles and seatbelts finished in Guards Red.

There is also leather trim on the steering column trim, the seat console, the inner sill trim, the fuse box cover and the vents. The floor mats get leather edging.

2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Street Style Package cabin — *The Porsche 911 GT3 S/C with the Street Style Package has four-tone seat upholstery. – Porsche AG photo*

The sun visors, interior mirror console, windscreen frame and convertible roof headliner get perforated Slate Grey Race-Tex upholstery.

The gear shift lever is darkened with open-pore laminated wood with the shift pattern in Pyro Red.

There are also unique badges and accents inside.

Storage box

Buyers can also add an optional lightweight storage box that sits behind the seats, available in regular and Street Style Package versions.

Canadian price

The 2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C is available to order now with Canadian deliveries expected in the fall.

It has a starting Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $313,300. Once fees, levies and estimated luxury tax are added, the price jumps to $351,324.

Full model details are available on the Porsche website.