It's been a few months since Porsche presented the new 911 GT3 to the world, and while customer deliveries won't start until this fall, some lucky journalists have already experienced the pleasure of driving it. Early reviews suggest the new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is Porsche's most focused track weapon yet. Now, self-confessed gearhead Jay Leno was invited to check out the 911 GT3 to see if it lives up to the hype.

In the latest episode of Jay Leno's garage, the popular talk show host is joined by Porsche factory racing driver Patrick Long, who provides a detailed insight into the 911 GT3's improvements and advanced aerodynamics.

But then it's time for Leno to take the 911 GT3 for a spin, and he certainly wasn't disappointed. To see how it handles, Leno puts the 911 GT3 through its paces around twisty mountain roads in California. Unusually, the 911 GT3 offers a setup you rarely see in modern sports cars: a naturally aspirated engine and an old-school, six-speed manual gearbox, but the 911 GT3 Leno drives is equipped with the standard seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, which offers significantly faster shifting times for track driving.

Powering the new 911 GT3 is a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six derived from the 911 GT3 Cup car that produces 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque and screams all the way up to 9,000 rpm. With the PDK transmission, 0-60 mph takes 3.2 seconds before the 911 GT3 tops out at 197 mph.

During his first drive, Leno praised the 911 GT3's linear throttle response and sharp, responsive steering. "Everything is so crisp like a scalpel," he said, adding that the driving experience is "so perfect." Praise doesn't get higher than that from someone who has driven as many cars as Leno. Pricing for the new 911 GT3 starts at $161,100 so it isn't cheap, but Leno's praise suggests it's worth every cent.