The First GT3 Cabriolet: Naming It the “S/C”

It has finally arrived.

On April 14, 2026, exactly at 11 PM Japan time, Porsche revealed the 911 GT3 S/C (Sport Cabriolet) to the world during a digital world premiere. This marks the very first appearance of a cabriolet model in the GT3 lineup. Although the 991 Speedster was a limited edition open model, it was not officially a GT3 Cabriolet. The GT3 S/C is the first-ever open-top to proudly carry the GT3 badge.

Incidentally, I had anticipated this car’s arrival and name in my March 1 article titled, “Is a GT3-Engined Cabriolet Coming to the 911—Possibly Named “911 S/C”?” I suggested the name S/C might be a nod to the historic 911SC from 1978 to 1983, and indeed Porsche delivered exactly that. Hitting the mark here is truly satisfying.

4.0-Liter Naturally Aspirated Flat-Six Revs to 9,000 RPM

At its heart lies the same 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six from the GT3.

But this isn’t just any GT3 engine. It boasts aggressive camshafts sourced from the GT3 RS and flow-optimized individual throttle bodies. The peak output is 375 kW, which means 510 horsepower unleashed at a screaming 9,000 rpm. With 450 Nm of torque, this redline sits about 1,500 rpm higher than turbocharged rivals. The thrill of a NA engine revving effortlessly this high is something turbo engines just can’t replicate.

I regularly enjoy a similar 4.0 NA engine in my 718 Spyder RS. Just imagining that engine revving up to 9,000 rpm in the open air is almost intoxicating. GT vehicle development head Andreas Preuninger said, “The combination of a naturally aspirated engine, dynamic chassis, and lightweight construction delivers unprecedented driving pleasure.”

Manual-Only with a 6-Speed Short-Ratio Transmission

A standout feature: this car is exclusively manual.

It comes equipped with a 6-speed manual sport transmission featuring short gear ratios designed for direct feedback in winding roads. There’s no PDK option. A 510-horsepower open-top in 2026 offered only with a 6-speed manual. That fact alone speaks volumes about Porsche’s philosophy behind this model.

0-100 km/h acceleration clocks at 3.9 seconds in the Japanese spec. This is impressively fast for a manual-only car. Top speed reaches 313 km/h. While you might rarely push it to these limits daily, the very act of manually shifting gears while revving a NA engine to the redline defines this car’s essence.

Lightweight Achieved with Carbon and Magnesium, Weighing Just 1,497 kg

Cabriolets are heavy—an unavoidable truth.

Opening and reinforcing the roof inevitably adds weight compared to coupes. But Porsche met this challenge head-on with thorough lightweighting. The hood, fenders, doors, anti-roll bars, and seat plates use carbon fiber. The magnesium wheels (20-inch front, 21-inch rear), roof ribs, front roof frame, and rear window frame also contribute to weight savings.

The battery is swapped for a lightweight 40Ah lithium-ion unit, dropping about 4 kg versus conventional batteries. The brakes are Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) standard, shaving more than 20 kilograms compared to cast-iron brakes. I also run PCCB on my 718 Spyder RS, and shedding unsprung weight noticeably sharpens handling—especially on twisty roads.

All told, the vehicle weighs in at 1,497 kilograms, just 30 kg heavier than the previous 991 Speedster. Achieving that with an open-top is truly remarkable.

Suspension Inspired by the GT3 Touring and Retractable Rear Spoiler

The suspension setup is borrowed from the 911 GT3 Touring package.

Up front is a double-wishbone suspension tuned for driving pleasure on winding roads rather than outright lap times like the GT3 RS. Tires measure 255/35 ZR20 front and 315/30 ZR21 rear.

Aerodynamics also see innovations. For the first time on a 911 Cabriolet, a retractable rear spoiler with a Gurney flap is featured—an aerodynamic part typically unavailable on cabriolets. It enhances high-speed stability while folding away when not needed. The headlights are Matrix LED, the roof operates electrically in roughly 12 seconds and can be opened or closed while driving up to 50 km/h. The wind deflector is effective up to 120 km/h.

Not a Limited Edition, a Catalog Model—Priced at 38.43 Million Yen in Japan

The biggest news personally is that this is not a limited edition.

Unlike the 991 Speedster that was capped at 1,948 units, the GT3 S/C is a regular catalog model anyone can order (though realistically, not everyone will find it easy to purchase).

Price in Japan is 38,430,000 yen, roughly 10 million yen above the GT3 coupe’s 28.14 million yen. Considering the extensive use of carbon fiber, standard PCCB, and the lithium-ion battery, the premium seems justified.

On paper, the car feels less like a GT3 and more like a GT3 RS with the top down—510 horsepower, 9,000 rpm, carbon fiber body, and PCCB included. The differences versus the GT3 RS are a chassis tailored for road curves, and the open sky above.

Being manual-only might limit the pool of buyers who can truly master it. Some buyers may target it for resale, possibly bringing examples to the used market sooner. For drivers who genuinely appreciate its value and want to revel in the NA engine’s roar on winding roads, waiting for a well-maintained used model might be an option.

The GT3 S/C delivers a lavish combination of NA engine, manual transmission, and open-air driving—a rare trio in today’s world. With increasing environmental regulations, how long such models remain in the catalog is uncertain. That alone makes this car’s debut something to celebrate.

Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Key Specifications

Finally, here’s a summary of the GT3 S/C’s main specs.