- The S/C is basically a 911 GT3 Convertible except for the name.
- It has an automatic fabric roof that takes 12 seconds to open/close.
- It’s heavier than a 911 Speedster, but not by much.
Porsche sales have been on a downward trend for the past three years, but the 911 has bucked that pattern. In 2025, deliveries hit a new record of 51,583 units, and it’s already a strong year. As of March, the legendary sports car had increased 22 percent compared to the first three months of last year when it reached 13,889 vehicles.
Moving forward, Zuffenhausen relentlessly expanded its product range with new versions to further broaden the appeal of the 911. The GT3 S/C (Sport Cabriolet) picked up where the Speedster left off, but it was not a direct successor. The main difference is that this newcomer is the first GT3 variant to be equipped with an automatic roof.
In other words, you don’t need to get out of the car to open the roof yourself. At the touch of a button, the fabric top will lower or raise in about 12 seconds, as long as you’re not going faster than 31 mph (50 km/h). Press another button, and the wind deflector pops up or retracts in just two seconds.
Photo by: Porsche
A more complicated roof mechanism will of course incur a weight penalty, but Porsche claims the GT3 S/C is only about 66 pounds (30 kilograms) heavier than the Speedster. The US-spec model tips the scales at 3,322 pounds, while the European model tips the scales at 1,497 kilograms. Interestingly, this is the first 911 convertible to use double wishbone suspension on the front axle. The chassis has been tuned to resemble a 911 GT3 coupe with the Touring Package.
To keep weight as low as possible, Porsche used carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for the hood, fenders, doors and rear anti-roll bar. In addition, the connecting links and underbody panels under the rear axle are also made of CFRP. Elsewhere, standard magnesium wheels and ceramic brakes further contribute to the diet. The convertible’s structure also contains magnesium to keep weight under control.
To reduce weight even more, an optional lightweight folding bucket seat with a CFRP shell is available. There was room for only one passenger, as the rear seats had been removed, making the GT3 S/C the only 911 convertible sold strictly as a two-seater. You’ll probably be driving with the top down a lot to hear the sound of the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine up to 9,000 rpm.
Photo by: Porsche
The high-revving boxer engine produces 502 horsepower and 331 pound-feet (450 Newton-meters) of torque, matching the GT3 coupe. It reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, or 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds. Overall, the latest 911 variant reaches speeds of 194 mph (313 km/h).
While the Speedster is limited to just 1,948 units in homage to the year Porsche began production, the new GT3 S/C is not a limited-run model. Unlike the GT3 coupe, which is available with both manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions, the open-top version is offered exclusively with three pedals, similar to the manual-only Speedster.
At $275,350 including destination, the new 911 GT3 S/C certainly isn’t cheap. However, it offers big savings over a similarly equipped coupe. The equivalent price for a hardtop model would be over $308,000, so you “save” about 11 percent by choosing the convertible. That doesn’t include the carbon fiber fenders and doors inherited from the 911 S/T.
The 911 GT3 S/C will arrive at Porsche dealers across America this fall.
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Source: Porsche
Motorcycle Pickup1: Having options is always a good thing, even though the 911 lineup has grown a lot in recent years. Being able to row your own gears while listening to the sound of a high-revving engine with the top open is an experience that is increasingly rare and hard to beat. Not only is the sports car segment shrinking, but manuals are becoming obsolete, and naturally aspirated engines are also being gradually phased out.
A sticker of $275,350 means the car is no more expensive than the 991-generation 911 Speedster, which debuted in 2019 at a slightly higher price of $275,750 before options. Not having to manually raise or lower the roof is a plus, although the GT3 S/C lacks the Speedster’s retro-flavored double-bubble rear cover.
