2014
Porsche 911 RSR
In
its first appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Porsche 911 RSR shone 2013
with magnificent first and second place finishes (GT-Class). The GT racer from
Weissach, which is distinguished by its systematic lightweight design and
refined aerodynamics, has been further improved in many aspects for 2014. And
with success: it started the 2014 season impressively as class victor at the
24-hour race at Daytona.
The
911 RSR, which is used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the new United Sports Car
Championship in the USA and Canada as part of the WEC World Sportscar
Championship series, made its appearance in 2013 as a successor to the
successful 911 GT3 RSR. It is based on the seventh generation of the 911 sports
car icon. As in its production car counterpart, its wheelbase was lengthened by
a full ten centimetres. A new wishbone front suspension replaces the previously
used MacPherson sprint strut suspension. The lightweight racing gearbox is also
a special new development by Porsche Motorsport. Its six gears are shifted by
shift paddles on the steering wheel. The 470 hp four-litre flat six engine was
taken from the previous model and optimised in its details.
One
of the central focuses in developing the 911 RSR was to attain a balanced
weight distribution. The vehicle's centre of gravity is also significantly
lower than in the previous model. Carbon fibre material assumes a special
significance here. The front and rear wings, front and rear lids, the doors,
underbody, wheel arch panels, rear wing, dashboard and centre console are made
of this exceptionally lightweight and strong material. In addition, all windows
are made of very thin and lightweight polycarbonate.
The
look of the new 911 RSR is marked by broad flared wings and a deep cooling air
channel at the front end. The new air flow system enables a centrally located
radiator at the front end, which operates even more efficiently than in the
previous model. Climate control of the interior was also made more efficient. The nose, front lid
and rear apron are attached with quick-action clamps and can be replaced within
just a few seconds.
The
static cornering lights that are positioned very low in the front end improve
the driver's view in bends. This improves night-time driving safety. The
reflective labels on cockpit controls, combined with anti-glare interior
lighting, provide for optimal legibility in darkness. The layout of switches on
the new steering wheel was developed together with the Porsche factory drivers.
The
911 RSR was systematically further improved for the 2014 season. The redesigned
front end, for example, and the new rear wing provide for optimal aerodynamic
balance and therefore for greater stability in fast driving through bends. Even
more precise steering response, which leads to better vehicle handling in bends
at slow and moderate speeds, was attained by optimising front suspension
kinematics. Also new is the engine air induction system,
which was optimised in its details, such as in its air filter geometry, which
contributes towards reducing the effects of contamination on power output. The
new FT3 safety fuel tank with a lowered centre of gravity enables improved
filling under race conditions.
Live
telemetry that is permanently transmitted to the command station via the car's
roof antenna ensures that engineers are always well informed of all relevant
vehicle data with over 200 measurement values. In addition, all data is stored
on a memory card in the vehicle.
