Porsche has revealed its latest 911 for GT3 racing, the 911 GT3 R. Taking the fight to competitors such as Audi R8 LMS, Mercedes-AMG GT3 and Ferrari 488 GT3, the 911 GT3 R is based on the GT3 RS road car, but with more aero, less weight and a stronger structure.
The new GT3 racer available for privateers uses a 4-liter flat-six engine which is largely identical to the road car’s. The biggest differences are the slightly lower power output at 550hp (up from the road-going GT3 RS’s 520hp) and a sequential 6-speed constant-mesh gearbox with an electronic shift actuator to replace the street car’s PDK DCT. The clutch is electro-hydraulically controlled, which eliminates the need for a clutch pedal and assists quick race starts.
The natural aspiration, direct fuel injection and 911-typical rear engine layout remain (unlike the higher performance 911 RSR, which switched to a mid-engine layout some years ago).
The structure builds on the road car’s aluminum-steel composite construction with the roof, front hood and fairing, wheel arches, doors, and side and tail sections, as well as the rear engine lid and interior trim now replaced with CFRP items. All windows are polycarbonate.
Aerodynamics are, of course, suitably more extreme. While the distinctive vents in the front fenders remain, the 911 GT3 R gets a 1900 x 400mm rear wing, a large rear diffuser, a front splitter and diveplanes. The front wheels are also larger.
Effective deceleration is ensured by six-piston calipers gripping 390mm front brakes and four-piston calipers with 370mm discs at the rear. All are controlled by a re-tuned ABS system.
To speed up pit-stops, there are now fuel filler necks on both sides of the car to feed the 120-liter FT3 safety fuel cell. The interior is improved by a new bucket seat and an adjustable pedal layout.
