Porsche has just announced the 992 GT3, and it's the most extreme GT-car yet, with a wholly reengineered double-wishbone front suspension replacing the regular 992's struts.

This is the 7th-generation of GT3, and the massive engineering signals a sea change for Porsche: the GT3 is now, unquestionably, the most important car in the 911 lineup.

Porsche's GT-Car Division, run by the talented and charismatic Andreas Preuninger, exists within Porsche's Motorsport Department — and has made the most desirable 911s of the last 20 years.

It's time to look back at the 996, 997, 991.1 and 991.2 variants to understand the progression of the GT cars in Porsche's lineup.

At the Porsche Experience Center's Los Angeles track, Jason drives the 996 GT3 RS, 997 GT3 RS 4.0, 997 GT2 RS, 991.1 911 R, and 991.2 GT2 RS — while recording high-quality sound — so you can see and hear just how far the GT cars have come.

Think of this as Andy Preuninger's Greatest Hits, Volume 1.