Porsche makes a new production sport race car

If the 911 GT3 RS is not fast enough for you on the racetrack than feast your eyes on this! By Jerrica Leong

Porsche might have just launched the 911 GT3 RS but now they’re unleashing another production version of the 911 GT3 that is fully optimised for the racetrack: the 911 GT3 R.

So why is the 911 GT3 R different from the sports production model? Porsche claims that they have paid special attention on making the car lightweight, enhancing the aerodynamics, reduced the car’s fuel consumption and more.

The production race car is based off the 911 GT3 RS so you can think of the 911 GT3 R a largely modified and improved version of the RS. While a few things like the double-bubble roof and the lightweight body design that features intelligent aluminium-steel composite construction is adapted from the RS, the R also features windows and even the windscreen comprise of polycarbonate and a roof, front cover and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections as well as the rear cover are made of lightweight carbon-fibre composite material to contribute to the car’s lightweight feature.

While the aerodynamics of the GT3 R is largely the same as the production road car, the GT3 R has instead adopted the concept of the centrally-positioned radiator from its 911 RSR big brother. This move is to help improve the position of the centre of gravity on the GT3 R. It also helps protect the radiator against collision damage and venting of hot air through louvres in the front are also improved.

Something else Porsche has meddled with to improve the GT3 R is the brakes. Thanks to increased stiffness and more precise control of the ABS anti-lock brakes, the GT3 R is better suited to long distance racing.

Of course, with the GT3 R being a production race car, Porsche has done every bit to improve the safety features on the car. The capacity of the further reinforced FT3 safety fuel cell was increased by 12-litres to now hold 120-litres and the tank now features a fuel cut-off safety valve as well. Doors and side windows on the car can be removed while the escape hatch in the roof is now larger. The racing bucket seats also provide drivers with even better protection.

The power unit for the 911 GT3 R largely resembles that of the 911 GT3 RS it was based off, a cutting-edge 4.0-litre flat-six unit direct injection which operates at pressures up to 200bar with a valve timing technology ensures the GT3 R’s fuel efficiency. And good news to all, the GT3 R’s engine is normally aspirated, Porsche has decided that the naturally aspirated engine offers significantly better driveability and a broader usable rev range. The power generated by the normally aspirated engine is transferred to the 310mm rear wheels via a Porsche sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox.

How many enthusiasts have complained that the 911 GT3 RS was not “racy” enough we would like to know that lead to Porsche creating this monster of a race car.