If we recently showed you the result of the adaptation to GT3 regulations for the Ferrari 296 GTB, today we bring you some images and we tell you the most important technical data of what will be one of its greatest rivals -if not the greatest- in circuits around the world: the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Presented to the public last weekend, during the 24 hours of Spa, in which he will be destined to participate, it will be necessary to wait until next year to see him compete. It is based on the current generation of the Porsche 911, the 992, although it contains a few variants, as expected, to optimize its performance on the track.
Its development began in 2019 and, as in the case of the Ferrari 296 GT3 about which we spoke to you recently, the engineers of the German mark took into account not only the professional pilots who will compete in the GT championships on board, but also the gentleman drivers that they will acquire one of these units with the main objective of having fun.
Same engine, more displacement
On the mechanical side, the Porsche 911 GT3 R is powered by a six-cylinder naturally aspirated, water-cooled boxer engine, quite similar to that which equips the Porsche 911 GT3 Street Mounted in the traditional position behind the rear axle, it increases its displacement from 3,997 cc to 4,194 cc, as was the case with the Porsche 911 RSR who is called upon to take over in certain competitions, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Despite the fact that the maximum power reaches 565 CV – 45 CV more than in the case of the Porsche 911 RSR – this was not the main objective of the German mark, due to the fact that the system of performance balancing usual in the various GT competitions – the BoP (Balance of performance) – may affect this aspect, eliminating any advantage. For this reason, all the work done to evolve this engine has aimed to achieve greater elasticity, with power and torque curves also easier to exploit for all pilots, whatever their level.
Our task was not to make the new 911 GT3 R even faster, since the performance windows set by the “BoP” nullify this advantage. But making sure our customers could drive at a high pace for longer was what it was all about,” said Sebastian Golz, Development Director of the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Another of the changes that the engine configuration has undergone is that it has been tilted slightly forward, in particular by 5.5 degrees compared to the usual position for any Porsche 911 992 model. This offers more space for the rear diffuser and therefore more freedom in its design.
In turn, some elements that accompany the engine block have been placed in a slightly more forward position. Parts such as the alternator or the air conditioning compressor have now found a lower and more central position – up to a meter forward they have moved forward –, thus the overall weight distribution has been improved.
The gearbox, meanwhile, is six-speed sequential and electronically actuated. It is a development of the one we already know –especially Jorge Lorenzo– from Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Suspensions and brakes optimized for competition
The suspensions have also received a specific setting for this competition version. Many of its components are derived from the Porsche 911 RSR, such as the double wishbone system on the front axle or the multi-link axle on the rear axle, which incorporates more precise KW-made dampers with five different settings.
According to Porsche, these suspension changes improve the vehicle’s handling and steering precision, while speeding up interventions to modify the implement vehicle. Rear tire wear is also reduced, a problem further exacerbated by the increased wheelbase, as was the case with the Ferrari 296 GT3. This becomes 2,507 millimeters, 48 mm more than the street version.
The development of this Porsche 911 GT3 R, derived from the GT3 version of the Once recordable, started in 2019, with focus on improving handling for non-professional ridersas well as making it less susceptible to changes caused by adjustments derived from the performance balance typical of GT competitions
In turn, the positioning of the pivots on the front axle, to allow the installation of the flat floor of competition, with a raised lower part on this front axle and which contributes to improve the flow of air through the flat bottom and up to the rear diffuser. It also affects less pitching of the car when braking.
As for its braking system, the discs and calipers are supplied by the British company AP race. At the front axle, the diameter of these, which are made of steel, splined and with internal ventilation, reaches 390 mm in diameter, and they are embraced by six-piston calipers. At the rear, the diameter of the discs is 370 mm and the calipers, one-piece aluminum like the previous axle, are four-piston.
In the aerodynamic aspect, in addition to the modifications caused by the increase in ground clearance on the front axle to improve the air flow to the diffuser, it incorporates a large spoiler. This has supports for its upper part, as in the case of rival Ferrari, which also allows for better air circulation underneath.
The body is almost entirely made of carbon fiber, so the overall weight remains at around 1,250 kg, although this is one of the figures that can be affected by BoP. For fins we use aramid fibersa family of lightweight and ultra-resistant materials, the best known representative of which is Kevlar.
Prepared for all types of wealthy drivers
The interior also includes improvements over the previous version of the Porsche 911 in this class. The six-point safety harness system is now faster to operate and will, according to the brand, reduce driver changeover operations by up to one second. The driving position, slightly moved towards the center of the vehicle, is dominated by a 10.3-inch screen, and both the steering wheel and the pedals are fully adjustable to adapt to the measurements of any driver.
The brand also unveiled the price of the Porsche 911 GT3 R: 511,000 euros excluding tax, more than double the price of a registered Porsche 911 GT3, which slightly exceeds two hundred thousand euros. Do not worry, because if the “mighty gentleman” does not allow you – like me – to acquire one of these vehicles to drive it on the most emblematic circuits in the world, it will not make us less gentlemenNot less Driversit will only limit us to being mere spectators, as before.