2016
Porsche 911 GT3 R
Based
on the 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a customer sport
race car for GT3 series around the world: The 911 GT3 R. In developing the more
than 500 hp racing nine-eleven, special attention was paid to
lightweight design, better aerodynamic efficiency, reducing consumption,
improved handling, further optimised safety as well as lowering service and
spare parts costs.
The 911 GT3 R features the distinctive
double-bubble roof, and the wheelbase which had been lengthened by 8.3
centimetres compared to the previous generation. This ensures a more balanced
weight distribution and more predictable handling particularly in fast corners
corners in comparison to the previous GT3 R. 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 cover and
fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections as well as the rear cover
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 bar, 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.
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 two metres in width by 40-centimetres 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 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. The capacity of the
further-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.
The
new Porsche 911 GT3 R can be ordered immediately for 429,000 Euro plus
country-specific VAT and delivered from December 2015.
