Porsche has once again raised the bar in customer racing with the unveiling of its latest contender: the 992 generation 911 GT3 R. This new Gt3 Porsche race car, built upon the foundation of the current 992 series 911, is set to make its racing debut at the start of the 2023 season, promising enhanced performance and driveability for both professional racers and amateur enthusiasts alike. Development for this formidable machine began in 2019, with a clear focus on refining the driving experience and broadening the performance envelope to meet the stringent demands of various Balance of Performance (BoP) classifications. Furthermore, Porsche engineers prioritized making the car more user-friendly for racing teams, aiming to streamline handling and reduce overall running costs.
Michael Dreiser, Sales Director at Porsche Motorsport, acknowledges the legacy the new 911 GT3 R inherits: “The new 911 GT3 R has big shoes to fill. Its predecessor has been incredibly successful, securing major victories in the GT3 scene over the past four seasons since 2019, including overall wins at prestigious 24-hour races like the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps. Our customer teams have also achieved class wins at Daytona and Sebring. This new model is expected to carry a significant workload for Porsche customer racing teams.” The anticipation is even higher as the GT3 class gains prominence, becoming a professional category in the North American IMSA series and, significantly, the FIA World Endurance Championship. Starting in 2024, GT3 category cars, such as this new 911 GT3 R, will for the first time be eligible to compete in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking a new era for GT3 Porsche racing.
Sebastian Golz, Project Manager for the 911 GT3 R, highlights the challenge and the strategic direction: “We hit the bull’s eye with the enormously successful predecessor. The benchmark for its successor was naturally very high. Our primary objective wasn’t solely about making the new 911 GT3 R even faster. The BoP regulations tend to neutralize outright speed advantages. Instead, we concentrated on enabling our customers to maintain high speeds for longer durations. This necessitates robustness and enhanced driveability. Therefore, our focus was predominantly on improving ease of driving. This is evident in the new 4.2-litre engine’s wider power band, more predictable and consistent aerodynamics, and reduced stress on the rear tires, which contributes to extended tire performance.”
Engine Enhancements: Power and Driveability
At the heart of this new GT3 Porsche racing machine lies an engine closely related to the standard 992 generation 911 powerplant. Continuing with the successful formula of its predecessor, it features a water-cooled, flat-six architecture with four-valve technology and direct fuel injection. The most significant upgrade is the increased engine displacement. Mirroring the 911 RSR, the new 911 GT3 R sees a displacement increase of approximately five percent, growing from 3,997 cc to 4,194 cc. This enlargement boosts the engine’s peak output to around 565 PS (416 kW). However, the primary focus of Porsche’s engine development was to refine the torque and power curves throughout the entire rev range. The result is a 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine that is notably more tractable and forgiving, making it exceptionally well-suited for gentleman drivers and demanding racing conditions alike.
This high-revving, naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine maintains its classic rear-mounted position, enhancing both traction and braking performance. To optimize aerodynamics, the engine is now tilted forward by 5.5 degrees, creating more space for the underbody diffuser. Auxiliary components such as the alternator and air conditioning compressor have been relocated approximately a meter forward and lower, into a space ahead of the engine and gearbox. This strategic repositioning positively influences the 911 GT3 R’s weight balance. The sequential six-speed gearbox, a contest-mesh design, is derived from the current 911 GT3 Cup car. Gear changes are executed via shift paddles controlling an electronic shift drum actuator, ensuring rapid and precise transitions.
Suspension Refinements for Enhanced Handling
The suspension of the new 911 GT3 R has undergone significant modifications, all aimed at improving driveability, steering precision, reducing rear tire wear, and minimizing setup adjustment times. Drawing on technology and components from the 911 RSR, the front axle now features a state-of-the-art double wishbone layout, while the rear utilizes a multi-link design. The KW shock absorbers have been further refined, offering five distinct adjustment settings. Setup changes are facilitated by shims – precision plates that allow for accurate adjustments without the need for time-consuming suspension realignment afterwards.
Optimized positioning of the central pivot points on the front axle creates space for the aerodynamic “race underfloor” concept. Similar to the 911 RSR, this elevated underbody design promotes a cleaner airflow to the rear diffuser and reduces the car’s sensitivity to pitch changes, particularly under braking. The rear wheels have been moved slightly rearward, extending the wheelbase from 2,459 to 2,507 millimetres. This modification further reduces stress on the rear tires and contributes to more consistent tire performance over extended racing stints.
Braking and Lightweight Construction
The braking system of the new 911 GT3 R features aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers, and now, the brake discs are also supplied by specialist AP Racing. The front internally vented and slotted steel discs measure 390 mm in diameter and are paired with six-piston callipers. At the rear, four-piston callipers and 370 mm discs are employed. A sophisticated software application for the fifth-generation racing ABS system minimizes wear on both tires and brakes. Porsche’s traction control system has also been further developed to enhance performance and durability.
The 911 GT3 R is the second racing car from Porsche Motorsport based on the 992-generation 911, following the 911 GT3 Cup. Its lightweight body, constructed with an intelligent aluminium-steel composite design, is derived from the production model but incorporates significant modifications for racing. Weight reduction is a key focus, with almost all body panels, including the front and rear lids, doors, side panels, rear wing, and roof, crafted from lightweight carbon fibre. The wheel arches are made from aramid fibres, further minimizing weight and enhancing strength.
Aerodynamics and Safety Innovations
While functionality is paramount in a racing car, Grant Larson from Style Porsche has once again successfully blended performance with visually stunning design. The aerodynamics of the 911 GT3 R represent a significant step forward. Key aerodynamic features include an elevated underbody at the front axle, combined for the first time with a smooth undertray, and a rear diffuser. This combination increases downforce without a substantial increase in drag. The rear wing now utilizes a swan-neck mount, ensuring clean airflow under the wing and improving its aerodynamic efficiency.
Safety is also paramount in the new 911 GT3 R. The driver’s seat has been moved closer to the car’s centre, allowing Porsche to optimize the ergonomic seating position in conjunction with the improved roll cage and newly developed FIA side impact protection. Like its predecessor, the steering wheel and pedals are longitudinally adjustable to accommodate different drivers. The six-point safety harness has been refined with special ramps that allow the tongues to slide into the clasp faster, saving approximately one second during driver changes in pit stops. The steering wheel design has also been upgraded, incorporating elements proven in the latest generation 911 GT3 Cup and 911 RSR race cars. A 10.3-inch display, adopted from the successful one-make cup racer, and a multi-switch concept from the Le Mans class winner, enhance driver interface and control.
The high-performance LED headlights on the 911 GT3 R utilize collimator technology, developed by Porsche for the new LMDh 963 prototype. This system, similar to a reverse magnifying glass, provides exceptional illumination across a wide area of the racetrack, representing a significant improvement over the already class-leading headlights of the previous model.
Detailed information about the new 911 GT3 R is available on the Porsche Motorsport website: Porsche Motorsport 911 GT3 R.
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Technical Specifications for Model Year 2023
Concept: Single-seater customer race car; FIA GTE category homologated; based on Porsche 911 GT3 (992 series).
Weight/Dimensions:
- Base weight: Approximately 1,250 kg (depending on BoP classification)
- Wheelbase: 2,507 mm
- Length: 4,619 mm
- Width: 2,039 mm (front axle) / 2,050 mm (rear axle)
Engine:
- Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer, rear-mounted
- Capacity: 4,194 cc
- Stroke: 81.5 mm
- Bore: 104.5 mm
- Max rpm: 9,250/min
- Power: Approximately 565 PS (416 kW)
- Four-valve technology
- Single throttle butterfly system
- Direct fuel injection
- Engine control unit: Bosch MS 6.6
- Dry sump lubrication with oil-water heat exchanger
- Single mass flywheel
- Race exhaust system with twin tailpipes and DMSB certified catalytic converter
- Fuel quality: Superplus unleaded to E20 (min. 98 octane)
Transmission:
- Porsche six-speed sequential constant-mesh gearbox
- Steering wheel shift paddles with electronic shift actuator
- Mechanical limited slip differential with adjustable preload system unit
- Three-plate carbon race clutch
Body:
- Lightweight aluminium-steel composite design
- Mounting points for lifting device, removable roof rescue hatch
- Welded-in roll cage, co-driver approved
- Six-bolt carbon racing seat (FIA 8862-2009)
- Six-point safety harness (HANS® compatible)
- Adjustable pedal assembly and steering column
- Front cover with quick-release fasteners, cooler exit-air duct and central air intake
- Widened front bumper with spoiler lip, fender extensions
- Rear trim with integrated FIA rain light
- Carbon-fibre doors, rear lid and rear wing
- Rear wing with swan neck mounts
- Polycarbonate glazing with hard coating, heated windscreen
- Four-post air jack system, valve mounting points on each side
- 117-litre FT3 fuel cell
Interior:
- Carbon-fibre trim, multifunctional carbon-fibre steering wheel with quick release
- Shift paddles and illuminated push buttons
- Ergonomic digital touch panel with multi-color backlighting
- Safety nets (FIA safety regulations)
- Integrated CFK side impact protection
- Driver’s seat with ventilation
- Fire extinguishing system
Suspension:
- Forged aluminium control arms and top mounts
- High-duty spherical bearings with dust protection
- Wheel hubs with central locking
- Five-way adjustable racing shock absorbers
- Suspension adjustment via shims
- Sword-type anti-roll bars (adjustable)
- Spring travel potentiometer, tyre pressure monitoring system
Front Axle:
- Double wishbone, adjustable ride height, camber and toe
- Electro-hydraulic power steering
- Single-piece alloy rims: 12.5J x 18, tyre size 30/68-18
Rear Axle:
- Multilink, adjustable ride height, camber and toe
- Racing driveshaft with tripod flanges
- Single-piece alloy rims: 13.5J x 18, tyre size 31/71-18
Brakes:
- Dual independent brake circuits, front/rear pressure sensors
- Driver adjustable brake-force distribution
- Racing brake pads, optimized brake ducting, temperature sensors
- Ergonomic brake pedal for left/right foot braking
- Bosch Generation 5 racing ABS
- Front: Six-piston aluminium monobloc callipers, 390 mm steel discs
- Rear: Four-piston aluminium monobloc callipers, 370 mm steel discs
Electrical System:
- 992 EE Motorsport architecture, streamlined Porsche toolset
- Latest generation Cosworth electronics
- Porsche Logger Unit, Porsche power box
- 10.3-inch Porsche colour display, data recording via USB
- Leak-proof LiFePo4 battery 12V, 40 Ah
- 210 A alternator, digital touch panel
- Single-arm windscreen wiper
- LED headlights with auxiliary lights, LED taillights, rain light
- Attachments for Accident Data Recorder (ADR)
Pricing and Availability
The new 911 GT3 R from Porsche Motorsport is priced at 511,000 Euros, excluding country-specific VAT and optional extras. This represents a significant investment in a cutting-edge GT3 Porsche racing machine designed for victory and driver satisfaction.
