The 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R has been revealed boasting 368kW and is eligible for both the Bathurst 12 Hour, GT Championships and the GT3 Championships.
The 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R, the company’s purpose-built customer car, has been revealed overnight with Porsche saying its paid attention to the “lightweight design, better aerodynamic efficiency, reducing consumption, improved handling, further optimised safety as well as lowering service and spare parts costs”.
Based off the production 911 GT3, the GT3 R gets the distinctive double-bubble roof, and the wheelbase which had been lengthened by 8.3cm compared to the previous generation. To reduce weight, the GT3 R is made from “composite aluminium-steel” with 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 – are made from polycarbonate.
Powering the new 911 GT3 R is a cutting-edge four-litre flat-six unit which is virtually identical to the 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 310mm 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 positioned on the steering wheel.”
The brake system of the 911 GT3 R also underwent modifications and, thanks to increased stiffness and more precise control of the ABS, is now, according to Porsche, 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 380mm ensure outstanding braking performances. Fitted at the rear axle are four-piston callipers and discs measuring 372mm.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 R can be ordered immediately for 429,000 Euro plus country-specific VAT and will be delivered from December 2015.
Locally, Porsche Cars Australia has said the new 911 GT3 R will be eligible for GT3 racing in Australia, which includes the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race and the Australian GT Championship. But it hasn’t said anything about pricing.
2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R (991) key details:
Engine
– Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine (rear mounted)
– 4,000 cm3; stroke 81.5 mm; bore 102 mm
– Output: over 368 kW (500 hp) subject to FIA BoP (air restrictor)
– Four-valve technology
– Direct fuel injection
– Dry sump lubrication
Transmission
– Porsche sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox
– Mechanical slip differential
– Pneumatic gear-shift activation (paddle shift)
Bodyshell
– Lightweight body featuring intelligent aluminium-steel composite design
– Integrated (welded) roll-cage according to FIA Appendix J
– Removable escape hatch in roof
– Lightweight exterior design:
– CFRP doors, rear cover, rear wing, wheel arches, front and rear fairing
– Polycarbonate glazing
– Removable polycarbonate door windows
– FT3 safety fuel cell, approx. 120 litres, with fuel cut off safety valve in accordance with FIA regulations
– Air jack system (four jacks)
Suspension
– Front axle McPherson strut, adjustable in height, camber and toe
– Wheel hubs with centre-lock wheel nuts
– Adjustable anti-roll bar blades (left and right)
– Power-assisted steering with electro-hydraulic pressure feed
Rear axle
– Multilink independent rear suspension, adjustable in height, camber, toe
– Wheel hubs with centre-lock wheel nuts
– Adjustable anti-roll bar blades (left and right)
Brake system
Two separate brake circuits for front and rear axles; adjustable by driver via brake balance bar system
Front axle
– Six-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake calliper
– Ventilated and grooved steel brake disc, D = 380 mm, aluminium disc bell
Rear axle
– Four-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake calliper
– Ventilated and grooved steel brake disc, D = 372 mm, aluminium disc bell
Wheels/tyres
– One-piece BBS alloy wheels according to Porsche specification and design, 12.0J x 18 offset 17, tyre dimension: 300/650-18 front; 13J x 18 offset 37.5, tyre dimension: 310/710-18 rear
Electrics
– COSWORTH power module IPS32
– Race ABS
– Traction control
Weight/dimensions
– Total weight: ca. 1220kg (subject to BoP)
– Overall length: 4604mm
– Overall width front axle: 1975mm
– Overall width rear axle: 2002mm
– Wheelbase: 2463mm
