Porsche Debuts 911 GT3 R Rennsport
Porsche has unveiled a new track-only car, the 911 GT3 R Rennsport, at the annual Rennsport Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the automaker announced.
The 911 GT3 R Rennsport has a power output of up to 620 hp and is based on the new 911 GT3 R of the current 992 generation.
One of the special features of the car, which is limited to 77 units, is the distinctively designed body. Only the hood and the roof were taken over from the standard GT3 R, while all other body elements have been changed, Porsche said, including its cooling air intakes and ducts. The designers have also set visual accents in the area around the side fins and flics. They are now framed by a side cowl and protected against damage caused by external impact. Conventional exterior mirrors have been eliminated and replaced by a digital system consisting of three cameras integrated into the outer skin of the vehicle and monitors in the cockpit.
Modifications to the racing car’s rear end include a rear wing reminiscent of the Brumos Porsche 935/77, with which the Peter Gregg, Toine Hezemans and Rolf Stommelen, took the seventh overall victory for a Porsche at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1978. The wing also provides increased downforce and has been provided with two additional vertical supports.
A light bar consisting of fine LED strips, which now incorporate illuminated letters of the Porsche lettering, characterize the rear section, Porsche designers said. The largely open rear apron dispenses with grille covers and paneling for weight reasons and provides a clear view of the technical components behind it, including the exhaust system with its centrally positioned twin tailpipes.
Inside, the monitors of the two fender-mounted exterior cameras sit on each side. Special graphics for the splash screen of the central display and the limited-edition number on the instrument panel arm are in the shape of the racing car, while ambient lighting adopts the theme of the color-adjustable main headlights. All safety features comply with the applicable FIA standards. The roll cage design permits the installation of the driver’s seat only.
Under the hood, the 4.2-litre six-cylinder boxer engine of the 911 GT3 R revs up to 9,400 rpm and benefits from the removal of the restrictions imposed by GT3 regulations, allowing it to reach a power peak of up to 620 hp. It was also designed to run on E25 fuels, Porsche engineers said.
The engine is paired with a sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox that originates from the 911 GT3 R with only minor modifications. Gear changes are made via steering wheel paddles that control an electronic gearshift actuator. Additionally, the transmission ratio of the fourth, fifth and sixth forward gears corresponds to the Daytona set-up of the GT3 racing car.
The chassis is also basically identical to that of the GT3 racing car, according to the marque’s engineers. At the front axle, a double wishbone suspension layout is still used to perform wheel guidance with a multi-link suspension incorporated at the rear. Five-way adjustable racing shock absorbers from KW have a blow-off function. Porsche Motorsport delivers the 911 GT3 R rennsport with a specific basic set-up. Further adjustments to the suspension can be made using shims.
The car rides on 18-inch wheel rims from BBS in their exclusive “racing” design, and meet all the technical requirements for a competition wheel with central locking, Porsche said. They are wrapped in specially-developed tires from Michelin. Stopping power is provided by an aluminum monobloc racing brake system from AP with brake pads with titanium backing plates.
