Porsche 911 GT3 R

For the 2017 season, customer teams once again line up on the grids of many international racing series with the Porsche 911 GT3 R. Already in its maiden season, major victories were notched up by the 500 hp 911-racer, which was designed in Weissach for worldwide GT3 series based on the 911 GT3 RS production sports car. The 911 GT3 R kicked off the 2017 with successes at the 24-hour classics of Dubai and Daytona as well as at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

The first race outing for the new 911 GT3 R mounted with the cutting-edge, four-litre, flat-six engine with direct fuel injection was at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2016. Setting pole position in the GTD class at its maiden race immediately underlined the enormous potential of the new customer sports racer, which then went on to notch up victories in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, the World Challenge, the ADAC GT Masters as well as in the Nürburgring VLN Long-Distance Championship on the demanding Nordschleife. In its development, engineers paid special attention to uncompromising lightweight design, better aerodynamic efficiency and reduced consumption. The 911 GT3 R’s particularly strengths are its even better driveability as well as further optimised safety. Moreover, service and spare parts costs for the teams have been reduced.

Perfect foundation

Adopted from its production sibling, the 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and the wheelbase, which has been lengthened by 100 millimetres compared to the previous generation. This ensures a more balanced weight distribution and more predictable handling, particularly in fast corners. By applying systematic lightweight solutions for the body, add-on parts, and suspension, the engineers significantly optimised the centre of gravity position of the GT3 R compared to the predecessor model. The lightweight body design of the 911 GT3 RS production sports car featuring intelligent aluminium-steel composite construction has proven to be the ideal basis for the race car. The roof, front lid and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections as well as the rear lid are made of particularly light carbon-fibre composite material (CFRP). All windows – and for the first time even the windscreen – consist of polycarbonate.

Powering the new 911 GT3 R is a cutting-edge four-litre, flat-six unit which is largely identical to the high-performance production engine of the road-legal 911 GT3 RS. Direct petrol injection, which operates at pressures up to 200 bars, as well as variable valve timing technology ensure a particularly efficient use of fuel. Moreover, the normally-aspirated engine offers significantly better driveability and a broader usable rev range. Power from the rear engine is transferred to the 310 mm rear wheels via a Porsche sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox. As in the GT road-going models of the 911, the driver changes gears via shift paddles conveniently positioned on the steering wheel.

Aerodynamic balance

The aerodynamics of the 911 GT3 R also follows the example of the road car. The distinctive wheel arch air vents on the front fairings increase downforce at the front axle. Measuring 1900 mm in width by 400 millimetres in depth, the rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. From its 911 RSR big brother, the GT3 R has adopted the concept of the centrally-positioned radiator. By eliminating the side radiators, the position of the centre of gravity was improved, the radiator is better protected against collision damage, and the venting of hot air through louvers in the front cover was enhanced.

The brake system of the 911 GT3 R also underwent further modifications and, thanks to increased stiffness and more precise control of the ABS, is even better suited to sprints and long distance racing. At the front axle, six-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers combined with ventilated and grooved steel brake discs with a diameter of 380 millimetres ensure outstanding braking performances. Fitted at the rear axle are four-piston callipers and discs measuring 372 millimetres. Another development focus was on the safety features of the GT3 R. Compared to its predecessor, the capacity of the reinforced FT3 safety fuel cell was increased by twelve litres to now hold 120 litres, with the tank now featuring a fuel cut-off safety valve. The doors and the side windows can be removed, and the escape hatch in the roof is now larger. In the event of an accident, the new racing bucket seat offers pilots even better protection.

Technical description

911 GT3 RS: Fuel consumption combined 12.7 l/100 km; urban 19.2 l/100 km; extra urban 8.9 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions 296 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): G