It was the great Jackie Stewart who gave the formidable Nürburgring its lasting nickname. After winning the 1968 German Grand Prix in pouring rain driving an underpowered Matra MS10 equipped with skinny wet weather tyres, Stewart turned to fellow driver Graham Hill and declared: "That's a Green Hell”. The name – respect and fear combined with a description of a track that winds through the Eifel forest – has stuck, and in advance of the Nürburgring's 100th anniversary next year, Porsche have come up with their own tribute. You're looking at it here: the 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring.
Porsche has a proud history at the Nurburgring, including the fastest ever race lap, by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 in 1983. You're unlikely to achieve that, even though Porsche are quick to point out that DTM champion Ayhancan Güven has lapped just half a minute slower – at 6'50" – in a GT3 equipped with much the same downforce package as this tribute car. Impressive.
Porsche have taken their basic GT3 – if such a bewinged 194 mph machine can be called "basic" – and thrown not just the options list but a few key bespoke modifications at their 911 halo model. There are things you might think are there just for the hell of it, most notably "Welcome to the Green Hell" on door sills as you prepare to enter the roll caged interior. A neat map of the Nürburgring - the long Nordschleife version of course - is projected to the ground as you open either door.
Grüne Hölle
You'll already have noticed green wraps to front and rear which double as protection for the paintwork, available in either Porsche's White or GT Silver Metallic. No such choices inside. Green is the key, to that roll cage and to driving mode button, encircled with the words 'Grüne Hölle’, German for Green Hell. Green insert to lightweight bucket seat is for driver's side only. Passenger has to hope that Jackie Stewart's legendary skills have transferred both to Porsche's electronics and to whoever is gripping the Alcantara covered steering wheel.
Exterior wing is a reassuring sight if you're planning to do more than endure the Green Hell of attempting to get to the New Forest during school holidays. It's part of an aerodynamic kit that vastly increases downforce. Forged aluminium wheels are in California Gold, also used for Nürburgring graphics. Under the rear lid the 502 bhp 4.0 litre flat six remains unchanged from standard GT3, so 194 mph will have to be fast enough.
Is this 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring a Green Heaven? Just 100 owners will find out, with no price yet announced. Given a 911 GT3 with lightweight options and roll cage will cost you about £170,000, we'd suggest you have around £200,000 handy when you call Porsche HQ.
