Porsche has officially presented the new Porsche 911 GT3 R, the thoroughbred race car which is based on the road-legal 991 GT3 RS (991.2) and uses a largely identical 4.0-liter flat-six engine linked to a sequential six-speed gearbox. Compared to the version used in the previous 911 GT3 R, the engine delivers 50 additional horses for a total of 550 metric horsepower without restrictors.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 R model received some changes that improved the aerodynamic performance of the car. In addition to the mechanical upgrades, the 911 GT3 R’s aerodynamic package gains wheel arch air vents on the front fairings, a massive rear wing (1,900 mm x 400 mm), and front tires with a circumference raised from 650 to 680 mm for superior braking performance and consistency.
Porsche says the doors and side windows can be fully removed, and in the redesigned cockpit, which features realigned controls, the new 911 GT3 R has a bucket seat with six-point harness and adjustable pedal box. Carbon fiber Kevlar aluminum construction with energy-absorbing plastic foam within the driver’s door keeps the person behind the wheel safe in the event of a crash.
To make it easier to fill up the 120-liter fuel tank and lower the amount of time spent at a pit stop, the 2019 911 GT3 R can now be refilled from the left or right, depending on the track’s configuration. To keep the weight low as much as possible, all windows are made from polycarbonate while a carbon fiber composite material was used for the front hood, roof, doors, wheel arches, rear lid, and the interior trim.
An extensive testing and development program is already underway for the new car, which was recently spotted at Monza, with further tests planned in the run up to the FIA’s Balance of Performance test and final homologation.
The new car, with a price tag of €459,000 ($546,000), plus taxes, can be ordered immediately, with the first customer delivers set to begin in December.
While poised to make its competition debut in end-of-year endurance races, the new 911 GT3 R’s global customer launch is expected to come at next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.
