Porsche 911 RSR

Porsche tackles the 2017 racing season with the most spectacular nine-eleven ever. The new 911 RSR is an all-out newly developed GT racer that makes full use of the breadth of the regulations. The works-run Porsche GT Team fields the 911 RSR in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) including the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCarChampionship contested in the USA and Canada.

In addition to systematic lightweight design, the engineers at Weissach put emphasis on positioning the ultra-modern, normally-aspirated flat-six engine in front of the rear axle. The four-litre, extremely light aggregate features direct fuel injection as well as a rigid valve drive and is characterised by outstanding efficiency. The new 911 RSR celebrated its race debut at the Daytona 24-hour race in January.

“While retaining the typical 911 design, this is the biggest evolution by now in the history of our top GT model,” says Head of Porsche Motorsport, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser. The new 911 RSR is a completely new development: the suspension, body structure, aerodynamic concept, engine and transmission have all been designed from scratch. The new engine concept has enabled the designers to install a particularly large rear diffuser. Combined with a top-mounted rear wing adopted from the LMP1 race car, the 919 Hybrid, the level of downforce and the aerodynamic efficiency were significantly improved.

Particularly modern and light normally aspirated engine

“For the 911 RSR, we deliberately focussed on a particularly modern and light normally-aspirated engine, as this gave our engineers immense latitude in developing the vehicle,” explains Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser. “Apart from that, in principle, the LM-GTE regulations stipulate the absolute equality of various drive concepts, as the torque characteristics of turbo and normally aspirated engines are aligned.” Depending on the size of the restrictor, the new normally-aspirated unit puts out around 375 kW (510 hp). Shift paddles on the steering wheel actuate the sequential six-speed gearbox with a magnesium housing, which delivers power to the 31-centimentre-wide rear wheels. The changeover to the new engine generation is now complete. After the 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup, the spearhead of Porsche GT racing cars is now also powered by the same cutting-edge six-cylinder boxer engine family.

Radar-assisted collision warning system

For the first time, a Porsche GT race car features state-of-the-art assistance systems: the new 911 RSR is equipped with a radar-supported collision warning system, the so-called “Collision Avoidance System”. Even in the dark, the faster LMP prototypes are detected early enough and misunderstandings can be avoided. A new safety cage concept and a new, rigidly-mounted racing seat enhance driver safety. With the seat fixed to the chassis, the pedalry can now been moved and adjusted to fit the driver.

The new 911 RSR’s serviceability has also been significantly improved: Entire elements of the carbon-fibre body can be exchanged completely in a very short time thanks to clever quick-release fasteners. Moreover, changes to the suspension setup can be performed much more quickly and easily.

New look

The 911 RSR features a new factory design that has further developed the clear and dynamic design language of Porsche Motorsport. From a bird’s eye view, a hint of the Porsche emblem silhouette can be seen. The basic colours remain white, red and black.

For its race debut at Daytona, the new 911 RSR was perfectly prepared, said Marco Ujhasi, Head of GT Works Motorsport: “Since its first rollout in Weissach in March 2016 we’ve covered over 45,000 test kilometres on racetracks in Europe and North America – that’s more than in the development of any other Porsche GT racer.”

Technical description