Clarkson’s Pick: The 992.2 GT3 Touring

photo by Porsche Newsroom

Jeremy Clarkson has finally chosen a Porsche.

At the News UK Motor Awards 2026, he named the 911 GT3 Touring his personal Car of the Year. According to reports from Porsche GB dealers and whichnewcar, this is the first time he has given the personal award to a Porsche.

The reports don’t specify the model year, but the £158,200 price, 510 PS output, and model code 992822 on the UK configurator point to the current 992.2 GT3 Touring. It’s a different generation from the 991.2 I used to own.

Here’s what he had to say: “The steering is perfect. The gear changes are so satisfying that I found myself letting out a little growl every time I changed down. There’s more than enough power. It’s fast, but not frightening. It’s not just a sports car. It’s the best sports car I’ve ever driven. And at £158,200, it isn’t ridiculously expensive. That said, the car I drove had a few options, including the seats and wheels, bringing the price to £203,700. Too much? No, not at all.” His praise covers everything from the steering and shift action to the price.

I Owned a 991.2—and Shared My Verdict in May

911 GT3 Touring

My benchmark was shaped by the 991.2.

I owned a 991.2 GT3 Touring with a six-speed manual, Crayon paint, and PCCB brakes. I drove it at Suzuka and Okayama International Circuit, and I’ve even had moments when I regretted choosing the version without a rear wing. As a piece of engineering, its quality was beyond question.

The conclusion I reached in my May article—that it comes down to the “sum total of enjoyment”—was based mainly on my experience with that 991.2. In town, the GT3 has more performance than you can use, which can become frustrating. Its peak on a well-suited winding road is in a class of its own, but those moments are fleeting. A standard 911 has a much higher everyday baseline, and I wrote that if most of your driving is at 60–70 km/h (around 37–43 mph), the regular Carrera is unquestionably more fun. I also argued that a higher trim doesn’t automatically make a lower one redundant.

The 992.2 Changes the Equation: Gearing, Ride, and a More Accessible GT3

But with the 992.2, the equation changes.

For starters, the gearing is shorter, making it easier to enjoy the GT3’s engine even at lower speeds. Much of the frustration I described in May came from being unable to reach the engine’s sweet spot at ordinary road speeds. Lowering that barrier makes a real difference. Then there’s the suspension: the ride is much better, making the car far more usable on public roads. To me, it feels close to the 718 Spyder RS we have at home now.

It’s still clearly firmer than a Carrera. Even so, I’d call the 992.2 a much more accessible GT3. The GT3 Touring has moved closer to everyday usability without losing its sharp-edged peak performance. That’s why I can agree with Clarkson’s verdict that it’s the “best sports car”—when we’re talking about the current model. My view has shifted toward his since May, when I was writing from a 991.2 perspective.

But for Truly Everyday Driving, I’d Still Choose a Carrera

992 Carrera T

Even so, the comparison still has a clear answer.

The 992.2 GT3 Touring suits drivers who make the act of driving itself the point. If you can seek out the right roads and conditions, it gives you both exceptional peak performance and greater everyday usability in one car. It may be more accessible now, but it’s still a GT3—and it’s best suited to someone who enjoys its firmness and precision as much as its performance.

But if most of your daily driving means keeping up with traffic at 30–70 km/h (around 19–43 mph), that’s a different story. The regular Carrera still has the edge in ride comfort and everyday flexibility. The 992.2 has certainly narrowed the gap with the GT3 Touring. Still, for truly everyday driving, I think the Carrera is the better choice.