Karthikeyan buys new Porsche 911 GT3

Powered by a four-litre, six-cylinder engine which produces 493 bhp and 540 Nm of torque, the Porsche 911 GT3 is capable of speeding from 0 to 100 km/hr in just 3.4 seconds. It has a top speed of 318 km/hr.

The GT3 version carries much of the design philosophy of the iconic 911 series, but features a distinctive wing at the rear. On the inside it comes with automatic climate control, Bose surround sound speakers and a touch-controlled infotainment system that also supports Apple CarPlay.

The coupe, which was launched in India last October, has an ex-showroom price of Rs 2.3 crore. However, it would have cost Karthikeyan a significantly higher amount, given the number of customisation options he has opted for.

For starters there’s the Clubsport package, which includes GT3 sport bucket sets. There’s also the Sport Chrono pack which provides accurate timing up to a thousandth of a second on the dashboard. The same information can also be accessed on a smartphone using the Porsche Track Precision app.

Karthikeyan has selected Guards Red exterior colour scheme for his 911 GT3, while black leatherette has been the choice of shade for the cabin.

The 41-year-old, who made his F1 debut in 2005, will stay with Nakajima Racing for a second consecutive season in Japan's Super Formula championship.