Jeremy Clarkson, known for his sharp opinions and decades of automotive criticism, has delivered a rare verdict: the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring is, in his words, “the best sports car I have ever driven.” After years of testing everything from supercars to family hatchbacks, his praise for the GT3 Touring stands out for its clarity and conviction.
Unlike the more extreme versions of the 911 lineup, the GT3 Touring is designed for enthusiasts who want GT3 performance without overt track-focused styling. Its most obvious difference is the absence of the fixed rear wing, replaced by a retractable spoiler and a more understated profile. The Touring is not a separate engine or chassis family: it retains the GT3’s basic mechanical package, including rear-wheel lead and a naturally aspirated flat-six. The 992.2 version can also be specified with rear seats, adding a practical option to the model’s subtler exterior.
Driving Perfection
Clarkson’s review, published in The Sunday Times, highlights the car’s ability to deliver a driving experience that feels both timeless and refreshingly direct. “In the last two years, I’ve driven a handful of cars that are enjoyable despite all this anti-car nonsense, but I hadn’t driven one that simply ignores the stupidity and is just brilliant in the old-fashioned way. Until now,” he writes. For him, the GT3 Touring is “a GT3 for people who don’t want a GT3,” capturing the spirit of the original with a more restrained appearance.
The restrained styling leaves the engineering unmistakably GT3. The 992.2 Touring’s naturally aspirated 3,996 cc six-cylinder boxer engine produces 510 CV, about 503 bhp, and revs to 9,000 rpm. Buyers can choose a six-speed manual or a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission. The car also has forged lightweight wheels measuring 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear. Despite a few modern electronic aids, such as automatic rev-matching between gear changes, Clarkson says the features are discreet, almost hidden, preserving the car’s purity. He describes its appearance as “fantastic,” especially in the understated Oak Green metallic paint, which he feels reinforces its restrained character.
On the Road
For Clarkson, the real magic happens behind the wheel. “It drives beautifully. It’s as if Porsche designed a car for a world that no longer exists. Its presence on the market is as striking as a rock band topping the charts. And, my God, I’m grateful to Porsche for that,” he says. He calls the steering flawless and the manual gearbox so smooth that he finds himself almost purring with satisfaction on every downshift. The power, he adds, is more than enough: fast, but never intimidating. “It’s not just a sports car. It’s the best sports car I’ve ever driven.”
Clarkson also points out the car’s quirks. The six-speed manual gearbox, while rewarding on open roads, can be tricky in city traffic. “Unless you give it a good rev when pulling away from a stoplight or maneuvering, it’s ridiculously easy to stall,” he admits. He also mentions the tire noise, joking that it’s loud enough to drown out conversations and adding his trademark humor to the review.
For a performance benchmark, a 2025 GT3 Touring specification listing quotes 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds for the seven-speed PDK version. Acceleration figures vary by transmission and configuration. Porsche’s published WLTP figures for the GT3 with Touring Package give combined fuel consumption of 13.8 to 13.7 litres per 100 kilometres and combined CO₂ emissions of 312 to 310 grams per kilometre. Those figures underline the character of a high-revving petrol sports car built around a combustion engine rather than an electrified powertrain.
Value and Context
The Porsche 911 GT3 Touring starts at £158,200 in the UK, about €185,400, while the test car Clarkson drove was optioned up to £203,700, or €236,200. Despite the price, he argues it’s not excessive for what the car offers, particularly for those who want to experience what driving could have been in a world less constrained by regulations and politics.
Clarkson’s verdict comes as the automotive world increasingly focuses on electrification and regulation. His appreciation for the GT3 Touring’s analog character echoes broader nostalgia among enthusiasts for cars that prioritize driver engagement over digital intervention. The Touring identity has also become a platform for bespoke editions: Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur built 51 examples of the UK-market 911 GT3 Touring Earls Court 51 Edition, marking 75 years of Porsche presence in Britain. A recent report on Tesla’s buyback of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the US highlights the growing complexity facing the industry as manufacturers respond to changing standards.
The Porsche 911 GT3 Touring is a reminder of what makes driving special for those who value an authentic connection with the car. As the market shifts, models like this may become even more coveted by enthusiasts seeking a pure, undiluted experience.
