Porsche offers an option called the Front Axle Lift System.

The “Front Axle Lift System” is an optional feature that temporarily raises the front part of the car. It helps prevent the front end of low-slung sports cars from scraping on steep inclines or parking lot entrances, especially at low speeds.

According to Porsche’s website, it states: “Raises the front end by 40mm at speeds up to 35 km/h. This minimizes the risk of the body contacting curbs or slopes during parking maneuvers or entering parking lots.”

By the way, looking at the current configuration for the GT3, the option price is 469,000 yen.

That’s quite expensive…

Because it’s a pricey option, I often receive questions on the blog like, “Is the front axle lift really necessary?” For example, messages like this:

I love Porsche and have just ordered the new GT3.
I have one question.
Should I get the optional front lift?
It’s expensive, so I’d rather spend that money on other options if possible…
Is it really tough to go without it?

I totally get it… I really do.

So today, I want to write about whether the front axle lift is essential or not.

Is the Front Axle Lift System Essential?

Regarding such questions, my husband answers like this:

If you have the 992 with the standard PASM chassis (not the PASM Sport chassis), it’s basically unnecessary. Unless you regularly drive on very steep slopes, it’s a different story, but for his previous 992, he never scraped the front on gas station entrances or parking garage ramps. That 992 had the Sport Design Package, yet he never scraped it.

On the other hand,

If you have the PASM Sport chassis, it’s better to get the front lift. You never know what kind of bumps you’ll encounter at convenience stores or gas stations on the road, so he would definitely get it. Even the dealer said that with the Sport chassis, you can scrape the front even at the dealer’s own entrance.

Indeed, the Sport chassis lowers the ride height by 10mm, but “just one centimeter matters a lot.” That 1 cm difference feels significant. Also, when looking for a used car, if there are options with or without the Front Axle Lift System, especially for a car like the GT3, I’d definitely prefer the one equipped with it.

The Front Axle Lift System Is Expensive to Add Later…!

I’ve also received messages like this about the front axle lift system:

Regarding the front lift, adding it later costs 700,000 to 800,000 yen, so it’s definitely better to get it factory-installed. Adding it later also reduces the front trunk space.

About the GTS, the front lip consists of two parts, each painted matte black, and replacing them costs a whopping 380,000 yen (crying).
I really regret not getting the front lift from the start.
Seriously, parking garages at hospitals are terrifying without it.

Wow!!! It gets that expensive to add it later!
Porsche does offer some options as retrofits, but the price definitely jumps up significantly.

Also, since replacing the front lip is quite costly, considering all this, it’s better to have the Front Axle Lift System installed from the start, and it’s definitely not a waste of money.

You’ll Want the Front Lift!

By the way, I used to own a Carrera T, which has the Sport chassis, so the ride height was low, and I didn’t hesitate to get the Front Axle Lift System. The current 992 model even has a smart lift function where, once you activate the front lift and register that location, it will automatically activate the lift the next time you pass that spot.

This feature is quite handy.

However, at first, even on bumps that seemed absolutely fine, I would activate the front lift and drive carefully. But over time, I got a bit lazy thinking, “It’s probably okay after all.” and I forgot to activate the front lift in a convenience store parking lot, scraping the front lip a few times.

The sound and impact from those moments… just remembering it makes me cringe.

You have to be especially careful going down bumps rather than up, and even if you have the Front Axle Lift System option, it’s a good habit to use it… (I learned this the hard way because I’m lazy).

So, in conclusion, if you choose a low ride height model or the Sport chassis, it’s better to get the Front Axle Lift System. It’s expensive to add later and costly to replace the front lip, plus it offers peace of mind during everyday driving, so it’s definitely worth having.

That said, this is just my personal opinion… I hope to continue answering common questions about must-have options in the future.