Following a tease earlier this year, Porsche has revealed its new 911 GT3 R based on the newest 992 iteration.
From next year, the model will be available to customers to race across the world including the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS.
Major improvements have been made to the aerodynamics, the vehicle balance has been optimised and the engine is larger producing 416kw.
Development began on this latest model in 2019, with the priority placed on improving the drivability for professionals and gentleman drivers to suit the various Balance of Performance measures. Maintenance was also a key area where Porsche put its focus to finesse the usability for teams to reduce running costs.
“The new 911 GT3 R has big shoes to fill,” says Michael Dreiser, Sales Director at Porsche Motorsport. “Its forerunner has won almost everything there is to win in the GT3 scene in four seasons since 2019.
“Its stand-out successes include overall victories at the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and also here at Spa-Francorchamps. Raced by our customers, the predecessor scored class victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The new model faces a massive workload in the hands of the Porsche customer racing teams.”
Used successfully by the Grove Motorsport team since the start of last year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS season including Brenton Grove setting pole position at last year’s Bathurst meeting.
“We hit the bull’s eye with the enormously successful predecessor. Accordingly, the bar for its successor is high,” emphasises Sebastian Golz, 911 GT3 R Project Manager at Porsche Motorsport.
“Our task was less about making the new 911 GT3 R even faster – the classification within performance windows set by the BoP quickly cancels out this advantage. For us, it was primarily about our customers being able to drive the racing car fast for longer. This requires durability and that’s why we focused predominantly on improved driveability.
This is reflected in the new 4.2-litre engine’s broader usable rev band, more stable and constant aerodynamics and lower loads on the rear tyres, which allow their potential to last longer.”
In addition to more power, the rev range has been optimised improving the experience for gentleman drivers and tilts at 5.5 degree angle to allow for the underbody diffuser.
The new GT3 shares the same gearbox as the Cup Car model, while the suspension has been advanced compared to the previous model through a state-of-the-art double wishbone layout, KW shock absorbers featuring shims to allow precision adjustments without time-consuming re-alignment and central pivot points re-positioned to fit a race underfloor concept.
Outside of this, all the usual safety features are installed as the new Porsche arrives at an exciting time for the GT3 category through strong manufacturer involvement.