Porsche 911 GT3: driving the first and latest | evo podcast | Episode 30
About this episode
A lively discussion unfolds as the hosts compare the original Porsche 911 GT3 with the latest model, exploring the evolution of this iconic sports car over 26 years. They share personal experiences driving both generations, highlighting the differences in performance, technology, and driving feel. The conversation also touches on the MX-5 RF and the Eagle Lightweight E-Type GTR, showcasing a range of automotive passion from classic to modern. Notable insights from Porsche's head of GT cars add depth to the GT3 narrative, making this episode a rich blend of nostalgia and contemporary automotive excellence.
In this week's episode, we discuss Porsche 911 GT3s and James Taylor's experience behind the wheel of the very first, and latest. Yousuf Ashraf speaks about his time in the latest Eagle E-type, and we catch up with all of the latest on the evo Fast Fleet, including John Barker's Capri...
Ford Capri
"Very well. Thank you. To begin, how's the Capri, John? The burning question on everyone's."
The Ford Capri is a classic car that looks sporty and was made from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. It's popular because it was stylish and fun to drive, which is why people still talk about it today.
The Ford Capri is a classic coupe that was produced from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, known for its sporty design and affordability. It became a popular choice in Europe and is often discussed for its role in the '70s car culture and its appeal as a stylish yet practical vehicle.
Mazda MX-5
"I've been putting a few more miles on our MX-5 long-term."
The Mazda MX-5 is a small sports car that is very fun to drive. It's known for being light and having a convertible top, making it great for enjoying the outdoors while driving.
The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is a lightweight two-seater sports car known for its agile handling and fun driving experience. It's popular among enthusiasts for its rear-wheel-drive layout and convertible options.
retractable fastback
"it's the retractable fastback body, so the motorized kind of coupe roof..."
A retractable fastback is a roof design on some cars that can fold down, making the car feel like a convertible. It looks sporty and lets you enjoy the fresh air when you want.
A retractable fastback is a type of car roof design that allows the roof to be lowered or retracted, transforming the vehicle from a coupe to a convertible. This design provides the aesthetic of a coupe while offering the benefits of open-air driving.
differential
"Like it's got the new diff. It's got the slightly recalibrated power steering."
A differential helps your car's wheels turn at different speeds, which is important when you're going around corners. It makes driving smoother and safer.
A differential is a mechanical component that allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds, especially important when turning. It helps improve traction and handling.
track day
"And did make it to an Evo track day. I did the brand's hatch one."
A track day is when you can drive your car on a racetrack, going faster than you would on regular roads. It's a fun way to see how your car performs.
A track day is an event where car enthusiasts can take their vehicles to a racetrack to drive them at higher speeds in a controlled environment. It's a great way to test a car's performance.
adaptive high beam
"...luxury cars that you know, adaptive high beam, and you know, all the cruise control stuff."
Adaptive high beam headlights change how bright they are and where they point, so you can see better at night without bothering other cars.
Adaptive high beam is a lighting technology that automatically adjusts the intensity and direction of a vehicle's headlights based on the surrounding conditions, improving visibility without blinding other drivers.
cruise control
"...and you know, all the cruise control stuff. Link, keep assist."
Cruise control lets you drive at a constant speed without having to press the gas pedal all the time, which is great for long trips.
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a vehicle, allowing the driver to maintain a steady speed without having to keep their foot on the accelerator pedal.
lane keep assist
"...Link, keep assist. Yeah."
Lane keep assist helps you stay in your lane by gently steering the car back if you start to drift out of it without signaling.
Lane keep assist is a safety feature that helps prevent unintentional lane departures by providing steering assistance to keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
Porsche Boxster
"You've just got out of a Boxster. Yes."
The Porsche Boxster is a two-seater sports car with a convertible top. It's known for being fun to drive and has a good reputation for performance.
The Porsche Boxster is a mid-engine roadster known for its balanced handling and performance. It's a popular choice among sports car enthusiasts looking for an open-top driving experience.
RF
"Would you have an RF or the soft top?"
RF means Retractable Fastback, which is a type of car that has a hard roof that you can fold down. It's part of the Mazda MX-5 Miata family.
RF stands for 'Retractable Fastback', a variant of the Mazda MX-5 Miata that features a hardtop roof that can be retracted. It combines the benefits of a coupe and a convertible, offering a more rigid structure while still allowing for open-air driving.
soft top
"I think I would have the soft top, I think, because the roof's magic isn't it?"
A soft top is a car roof made of soft materials that you can fold down. It lets you drive with the roof down, similar to a convertible.
A soft top is a type of convertible car roof made from flexible materials like fabric or vinyl. It can be folded down or removed to allow for open-air driving, providing a different driving experience compared to hard tops.
Porsche 911
"...to kick off the series, we've driven the original 911 GT3. We thought the GT3 would be a good place to start. It's famously done quite well in group tests over the years."
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a special version of the Porsche 911 sports car that is built for high performance, especially on racetracks. It was first released in 1999 and is known for being very fast and fun to drive.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, known for its track-focused design and exceptional handling. The original model was introduced in 1999 and has since become a benchmark in the sports car segment.
PDK
"you can have it with a manual gearbox, or PDK."
PDK is a type of transmission used in Porsche cars that helps change gears very quickly, making the car feel more responsive.
PDK stands for Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, which translates to Porsche Dual-Clutch Transmission. It allows for faster gear changes compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
naturally aspirated
"You know, still naturally aspirated, still revs high. It's still as light as they can make it."
Naturally aspirated means the engine gets air from the atmosphere without any extra help from turbochargers or superchargers. This can make the engine feel smooth and powerful as it revs up.
Naturally aspirated refers to an engine that relies on atmospheric pressure to draw air into the combustion chamber, rather than using a turbocharger or supercharger. This type of engine typically provides a more linear power delivery and higher revving capabilities.
horsepower
"And how much has the horse power gone up in those 26 years? I think 355 bhp, if I remember rightly."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to quantify the output of engines. It indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, with higher numbers generally signifying better performance.
bhp
"I think 355 bhp, if I remember rightly. Which was a good output back then."
Bhp means brake horsepower, which is a way to show how powerful an engine is before taking into account things like heat and friction that can reduce that power.
Bhp stands for brake horsepower, which measures an engine's power output before losses like friction and heat. It's a standard way to express engine performance in the automotive industry.
turbo engine
"It was the 911 turbo engine. The Metska. So it was the Metska engine, yeah."
A turbo engine is a type of engine that has a special part called a turbocharger. This part helps the engine get more air, which makes it more powerful and faster.
A turbo engine uses a turbocharger to increase the engine's efficiency and power output by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. This results in better performance without significantly increasing engine size.
homologation car
"They just needed this homologation car, partly for the one make series, partly for GT3 racing, which is how it got its name."
A homologation car is a special version of a car made by manufacturers so that it can be used in racing. They have to make a certain number of these cars to follow the rules of the racing series.
A homologation car is a vehicle that is built to meet specific regulations for racing purposes, allowing it to compete in sanctioned events. Manufacturers produce a limited number of these cars to satisfy the requirements of racing series, ensuring that the car is eligible for competition.
GT3 racing
"partly for the one make series, partly for GT3 racing, which is how it got its name."
GT3 racing is a type of car racing that uses specially modified versions of regular sports cars. These cars follow certain rules to make the races fair and exciting.
GT3 racing is a class of sports car racing that features modified production vehicles. These cars are built to specific regulations that balance performance and safety, allowing for competitive racing across various series worldwide.
Porsche Carrera
"It only cost a bit more than a normal Carrera. And it was kind of a part spin special, was how he described it."
The Porsche Carrera is a well-known version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It's famous for its speed and style, and many people love to drive it.
The Porsche Carrera is a model within the Porsche 911 lineup, known for its performance and iconic design. It often serves as the base model for various high-performance variants, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
weight transfer
"...there's more weight transfer, there's more going on, and even just driving at regular road speeds, you're working a bit harder."
Weight transfer is when a car's weight moves around while you're driving, especially when turning or stopping. This can change how the car feels and how well it grips the road.
Weight transfer refers to the shifting of a vehicle's weight from one side to another during cornering, acceleration, or braking. It affects handling and grip, influencing how the car behaves in different driving conditions.
Metzger engine
"and it doesn't have the Metzger engine anymore, that went a long time ago because of emissions."
The Metzger engine is a type of engine used in some Porsche cars that is known for being powerful and reliable.
The Metzger engine refers to a specific line of flat-six engines developed by Porsche, known for their performance and reliability, particularly in the 911 models.
catalytic converters
"It's got four catalytic converters now to meet all the emissions rakes, and it still sounds incredible."
Catalytic converters help clean the exhaust gases from a car's engine before they are released into the air. They make the car more environmentally friendly by reducing pollution.
Catalytic converters are devices in the exhaust system of a vehicle that reduce harmful emissions by converting them into less harmful substances. They are essential for meeting environmental regulations and improving air quality.
Nürburgring 24 hours
"It sounds like you're at the Nürburgring 24 hours, or something like that."
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is a famous car race that lasts for 24 hours. It's held at a challenging track in Germany and includes many different types of cars and drivers.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is a prestigious endurance race held annually at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. It features a mix of professional and amateur drivers competing in various classes of cars over a 24-hour period.
DSG
"with modern DSG cars, and that gives you that connection with the car at low speeds as well."
DSG is a special kind of automatic transmission that can change gears very quickly, making the car feel more responsive and sporty.
DSG stands for Direct-Shift Gearbox, a type of dual-clutch transmission that allows for faster gear changes compared to traditional automatic transmissions. It combines the convenience of an automatic with the performance of a manual transmission.
clutch pedal
"...the clutch pedal was pretty heavy. You did a bit more bend in my left leg just to..."
The clutch pedal is what you press to change gears in a car with a manual transmission. If it's heavy, it can be harder to push down, making driving more tiring.
The clutch pedal is a component in manual transmission vehicles that allows the driver to disengage the engine from the wheels, enabling gear changes. A heavy clutch pedal can make it more challenging to operate the vehicle, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
manual gearbox
"...but people want a manual gearbox, they want the option of different shells..."
A manual gearbox is a type of car transmission where you have to change gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. Many people like it because it gives them more control over how the car drives.
A manual gearbox, also known as a manual transmission, allows the driver to manually select gears using a clutch pedal and gear stick. This type of transmission is favored by driving enthusiasts for the control it provides over the vehicle's performance.
Volkswagen Rabbit
"...after you'd driven it? I've been down a complete rabbit hole, so I'm desperately trying to find the mone..."
The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car that's easy to drive and great for everyday use. It's popular because it's practical and fun, which is why people often mention it.
The Volkswagen Rabbit, known as the Golf in many markets, is a compact car that gained popularity for its practicality and fun driving experience. It is often discussed for its role in the hatchback segment and its influence on modern compact cars.
Porsche Rs Carrera
"...e was not really any lighter than a normal known RS Carrera, because they used a stiffer shell from the Carr..."
The Porsche Carrera RS is a special, fast version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It's famous for being lightweight and great for racing, which is why car fans love to talk about it.
The Porsche Carrera RS is a high-performance version of the Porsche 911, known for its lightweight construction and racing pedigree. It is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, often discussed for its impact on motorsport and its iconic status in the Porsche lineup.
BMW M5
"Look at all the other stuff, like... And M5 has gone three times as powerful as well. Yeah, ..."
The BMW M5 is a fast and fancy version of a regular BMW sedan. It's designed to be really powerful and fun to drive, which is why people often talk about it when discussing cool cars.
The BMW M5 is a high-performance version of the BMW 5 Series, known for its powerful engines and sporty handling. It has evolved significantly over the years, with recent models boasting impressive horsepower and advanced technology, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and luxury car buyers.
BMW M3
"... gone three times as powerful as well. Yeah, and M3, M4 has gone the same way. Weight has ballooned ..."
The BMW M3 is a sporty version of the BMW 3 Series car. It's known for being really fun to drive and has a lot of power, which is why car fans often mention it.
The BMW M3 is a performance variant of the BMW 3 Series, celebrated for its agility and driving dynamics. Over the years, it has gained power and features, making it a benchmark in the sports sedan category, often discussed for its balance of luxury and performance.
Jaguar Etype
"So it's the official name. It's the Eagle Lightweight E-Type GTR. OK."
The Jaguar E-Type is a classic sports car from the 1960s that many people think is really beautiful. It's known for being fast and stylish, which is why it's often talked about by car enthusiasts.
The Jaguar E-Type is an iconic British sports car that debuted in the 1960s, celebrated for its stunning design and performance. Often regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, it has a significant place in automotive history and is frequently discussed in classic car circles.
Mclaren F1
"...TR car imaginable. It makes me think of either a McLaren F1 or a Nissan. Yeah, exactly, yeah."
The McLaren F1 is a super-fast sports car from the 1990s that many people consider one of the best ever made. It's famous for being really quick and having some cool features, which is why car lovers talk about it.
The McLaren F1 is a legendary supercar that was produced in the 1990s and is renowned for its incredible speed and innovative design. It was one of the fastest production cars of its time and remains a symbol of automotive excellence, often discussed for its engineering and performance.
Lotus Elise
"Not much more than an Elise. But again, it's like, it didn't drive like a 60s, 70s car in many ways..."
The Lotus Elise is a small, lightweight sports car that is very fun to drive and is known for its great handling.
The Lotus Elise is a lightweight sports car known for its agile handling and minimalist design, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Jaguar Dtype
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm probably, this is libelous, but I'm pretty sure they stuck a D-Type engine from a Le Mans car or something. And that's what they gave the journalists to do."
The Jaguar D-Type is a famous race car from the 1950s that won a lot of races, including the Le Mans. It's known for its cool design and speed, which is why it's a popular topic among car fans.
The Jaguar D-Type is a legendary race car that achieved great success in the 1950s, particularly at the Le Mans 24-hour race. Known for its aerodynamic design and innovative engineering, it is often discussed for its historical significance and performance in motorsport.
restomod
"Have you guys driven any Resto mods in the last few years?"
A restomod is when someone takes an old car, fixes it up, and adds modern parts to make it better. It's like giving a classic car a new life with updated technology and performance.
A restomod is a vehicle that has been restored and modified, typically combining classic styling with modern performance and technology. This approach allows enthusiasts to enjoy the aesthetic of vintage cars while benefiting from contemporary reliability and features.
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