#gt3

With the new Porsche 997.2 Turbo and GT3 incorporating a center lock wheel design, it’s no surprise that the aftermarket has jumped on the opportunity to create more stylish and aggressive options for those cars. It’s no easy task though, with most wheel manufactures not willing to invest the money into the tooling to setup a product line for such a small segment of the market.

Even though we don’t have high hopes of Gran Turismo 5 hitting the shelves anytime soon, we’re a tad bit thrilled to see that Fanatec has upgraded their Porsche 911 GT3 RS steering wheel to accompany Gran Turismo 5 and other future-gen games.

We actually have our own Porsche 911 GT3 RS unit sitting here at the office that keeps us entertained from time to time. It’s probably the highest quality steering wheel/shifter/pedal combination out in the market. For those not in the know, Fanatec’s products are also cross-platform allowing you to use it on the Sony Playstation3 and PC. Oddly enough, the original GT3 RS we have works on the Xbox360 as well, but this release is confined to the PS3 and PC. We might have to do some digging to see if the V2 works for Microsoft’s console as well.

But regardless of compatibility, Fanatec’s products boast legitimate Porsche licensing with even a Porsche-styled USB key in the package. The aluminum ClubSport pedals feature a pressure-sensitive brake sensor and ABS-simulated vibration under braking. And since we’ve had a chance to experience it first hand, we’ll be more than glad to tell you all how realistic the experience is.

So if you’re looking for the best substitute to racing out on the track, Fanatec offers the wheel alone for $179.95, while the package including the aluminum ClubSport pedals is $319.95. We highly recommend upgrading to the aluminum pedal option, it’s definitely worth every penny. And for those with the V1 of the 911 GT3 RS wheel, like us, Fanatec is offering an upgrade kit for $40. But there’s a lot of DIY involved with the $40 kit, and since we just want to play, we’ll pay the extra $30 to have it done by Fanatec themselves. Grand total of $70 and we’re set for GT5 and the future!

The official press release is available after the break.

GALLERY: Fanatec Porsche 911 GT3 RS V2

Porsche has just unveiled the 2010 GT3 RS model at the Frankfurt Auto Show, with more power, a wider front track, a reduced curb weight and increased downforce. When combined the GT3 RS gets even better and continues to be a motorsports-derived masterpiece.

Ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month, Porsche has released details and a sizable gallery of photos of the 2010 version of its successful GT3 Cup car.

Porsche has announced that its new and improved GT3 ran an impressive 7:40 second lap around the Nürburgring. A company spokesman also didn’t miss out on the opportunity to reiterate Porsche’s stance that Nissan fudged the GT-R’s lap times.

With a notable absence at many auto shows this year, Porsche did make it to New York and finally got around to giving the reworked GT3 a proper U.S. debut.

Porsche has let the cat out of the bag, releasing images and details of the updated 2010 GT3 ahead of the Geneva Auto Show in March. A long list of improvements have been made to the track-ready street car including an increase of 20hp.

Looking to continue its dominance in international motorsports, Porsche has released a new version of its GT3 RSR race car for the 2009 season.