Porsche has three core racing 911’s for 2015: the brand-new GT3 R, the GT3 Cup and works racing 9911 RSR.

All three are now on the 991 platform now that the GT3 R is updated from its previous 2013-2014 iteration.

Only the GT3 R and GT3 Cup are offered for sale, with pricing ratcheting up to multiples of the traditional Carrera GT3 road car. The Cup comes in around $250,00 while the new GT3 R is priced for customer racing teams at euro $430,000. If the RSR were for sale today, it would likely come in around $800,000.

In terms of the specification of the 911 racecars, the new R is far closer to the RSR than it is to the Cup. In fact, the four-liter boxer six of the new GT3 R produces “over 500-horsepower,” dropping from this estimaed 570HP only with race-mandated restructor plates. These contstrict airfow to the engine, drastically limiting power output, and used like a golf handicap as a way to level the racing field.

Speaking of race classes, the new R has its eyes set firmly on one: the FIA GT3 group.

Options for the GT3 R even include a quad set of bumper lights, replicating the RSR look almost exactly.

Overall, the new GT3 R’s design is marked out by its far slimmer main intake up front. This intake shoots all its warmed strategically out and back through the hood and fenders. Those fenders are also pure RSR: a massive width stretch combined with the lower rear part of the bodywork chopped out to drain out any remaining airflow from the wheel-well.

 

 

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 R vs. GT3 Cup vs. GT3 RSR – Visual and Specs Comparison

2015 Porsche 991 GT3 R	2015 Porsche 991 GT3 Cup	2015 Porsche 911 RSR (991)
Concept:	Concept:	Concept:
Single-seat customer racecar	Single-seat customer racecar	Single-seat racecar
Basis: 991 GT3 RS
Engine:	Engine	Engine:
Water cooled six-cylinder Boxer engine (rear mounted)	Aluminum six-cylinder rear-mounted boxer engine	Naturally aspirated engine with intake above rear side panel
4,000 cm3; stroke 81.5 mm; bore 102 mm	Sealed	Water cooled four valve flat six cylinder engine
Power: Subject to FIA BoP classification (air restrictor)	3,800 cc; stroke 76.4 mm; bore 102.7 mm	3,996 cc; stroke 80.4 mm; bore 102.7 mm
Single mass flywheel	Max. power: 338 kW (460 hp) at 7,500 rpm	Required fuel quality: 98 octane, unleaded
Four-valve technology	Max. rpm: 8,500 rpm	Dry sump lubrication
Direct fuel injection	Single-mass flywheel	Sequential multi-point fuel injection
Fuel quality: Super Plus lead free to E20 (minimum 98 octane)	Water cooling with heat management for engine and gearbox	Returnless fuel system
Dry sump lubrication	Four valves per cylinder	Modular light weight race exhaust system
Engine control unit (ECU) BOSCH MS 6.4 with integrated data acquisition (basic memory 1GB, max. 100 freely selectable channels, sample rate 50hz)	Sequential multi-point fuel injection	Muffler with twin, centrally aligned tail pipes
Race exhaust system (motorsport catalyst and country-specific pre-silencer available)	Required fuel quality: minimum 98 octane, unleaded	Additional oil tank
Rear silencer with twin tailpipes mounted centrally	Dry-sump lubrication	Quick oil refill system via front deck lid
Two electronically activated throttles	Electronic engine management (Bosch MS 4.6)
	Race exhaust system with regulated race catalytic converter
	Rear silencer with centered exhaust pipe
	Electronic acceleration pedal
Transmission:	Transmission	Transmission:
Porsche six-speed constant-mesh gearbox (sequential)	Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox	Newly developed Porsche six-speed racing gearbox with pneumatic paddle shift system
Gear ratios (FIA homologated, other ratios available on request):	Gear ratios:	Gear Ratios:
CWP 14/22 i = 1.571	Ring & pinion gear 14/22 i = 1.571	CW & P Gear 14/22 i = 1.571
Final drive 17/41 i = 2.412	Final drive 17/41 i = 2.412	Final drive 17/41 i = 2.412
1st gear 13/41 i = 3.154	1st gear 13/41 i = 3.154	1st – 6th gear according customer request
2nd gear 17/39 i = 2.294	2nd gear 17/40 i = 2.353	Internal pressure-oil lubrication with active oil cooling
3rd gear 20/37 i = 1.850	3rd gear 19/36 i = 1.895	Mechanical limited slip differential with viscous unit
4th gear 19/29 i = 1.526	4th gear 19/29 i = 1.526	Single-mass flywheel
5thgear 24/31 i = 1.292	5th gear 24/30 i = 1.250	Triple-disc-carbon racing clutch with forged housing
6th gear 31/34 i = 1.097	6th gear 34/35 i = 1.029	Hydraulic operated central clutch operator
Internal pressurized oil lubrication with active oil cooling by oil/water heat exchanger	Internal pressure-oil lubrication with active oil cooling	Oil-water heat exchanger
Mechanical limited slip differential	Limited slip differential
Motorsport clutch (carbon)	Triple-disc sintered metal race clutch
Pneumatic gear shift activation (paddle shift)	Pneumatic paddle shift system
Bodyshell:	Bodyshell:	Bodyshell:
Lightweight body featuring intelligent aluminum-steel composite design	Lightweight bodywork with smart aluminum-steel composite construction	Lightweight bodywork with smart aluminum-steel composite construction based on 911 C4 type 991 with add-on carbon parts
Integrated (welded) roll-cage (according to FIA Appendix J)	Welded-in roll cage, in compliance with FIA Homologation Regulations for safety cages	Removable roof section to apply KED
Front cover with two air intake ducts for cockpit ventilation, quick release fasteners	Front bonnet with two air inlets for cockpit ventilation and quick fasteners	Rescue bar analogue DTM system
Removable escape hatch in roof in accordance with latest FIA safety regulations	Removable roof section	Carbon add-on parts:
Pickup point for lifting device (identical to DTM system)	Rescue bar analogue DTM system	Front end cover with front lip
Lightweight design exterior panels:	Modified and widened 911 GT3 fenders	Air intake and outlet for center cooler
CFRP doors with sport design mirrors	Modified rear wheel arches	Front deck lid with louvers
CFRP rear cover with quick release fasteners	Modified and widened 911 GT3 front-end with spoiler lip	Fender and wheel house protectors
CFRP adjustable rear wing	Modified 911 GT3 rear-end with integrated rain light, in compliance with FIA Homologation Regulations	Sill covers
CFRP front extended wheel arches and louvres	Lightweight exterior:	Doors with side-screen frame and plastic mirrors
CFRP front fairing with cooling-air ducting and spoiler lip	CRP doors with sport-design rear-view mirrors	Rear wheel arch extensions with side intake air duct
CFRP rear fairing with integrated rain light in accordance with FIA regulations	CRP rear engine lid with quick fasteners	Rear wheel arch cover
Polycarbonate front, rear and side screens	CRP rear wing; adjustable	Rear deck lid with adjustable rear wing
Removable polycarbonate door windows in accordance with latest FIA safety regulations	PC rear window	Rear end cover with wheel house air de-ventilation
Rear underfloor with air ducting for brake and driveshaft cooling	Underbody tray with air routing for brake- and driveshaft cooling in the rear	Quick demount couplings for front and rear end cover
Modified 911 cockpit:	Modified 911 cockpit:	Closed flat bottom with rear diffuser
Ergonomic center console aligned towards driver for ease of operation	Magnesium sub-frame in light weight design	Pedal box
Switch covers with fluorescent labelling	Ergonomic driver-oriented center console	Built-in air jack system (four legs) with safety pressure valve
Steering wheel with quick release coupling, switch panel and shift paddles	Switch mask with fluorescent lettering	Race bucket seat (driver side only) with fire retardant upholstered cover
Racing bucket seat with fore/aft adjustment in accordance with FIA standard 8862/2009:	Steering wheel with quick release coupling, control panel and shift paddles	Six-point safety harness modified for use with HANS
Adjustable padding system to suit individual drivers (delivery with size M)	Race bucket seat with longitudinal adjustment:	Electrically activated fire extinguisher system
Six-point safety harness	Homologated to latest FIA requirements	Approx. 94l FT3 safety fuel cell
FT3 safety fuel cell (approx. 120 liter) with fuel cut off safety valve in accordance with FIA regulations	Individual padding system	Heated glass windscreen
Air jack system (four jacks)	Six-point seat belt	Modified 911 cockpit:
	100 liter fuel cell (FT3 safety fuel cell)	Magnesium sub-frame in light weight design
	Built-in air jack system (three legs)	Ergonomic driver-oriented center console
		Switch mask with fluorescent lettering
		Multi-function steering wheel with quick release coupling, control panel and shift paddles
Suspension:	Suspension	Suspension:
Front axle:	Front axle:	Front axle:
McPherson strut, adjustable in height (ride-height), camber and toe	McPherson suspension strut, adjustable in height, wheel camber and track	Double wishbone type front axle
Fabricated steel control arms:	Forged struts:	Four-way Multimatic shock absorbers
Stiffness optimized	Optimized stiffness	Twin coil spring setup (main and helper spring) with adjustable platform
High-performance spherical bearings	Double shear tie rod connection	Adjustable anti roll bar via both side blades
Wheel hubs with center lock wheel nuts	Heavy-duty spherical bearings	Electro-hydraulic servo assisted steering
Adjustable motorsport dampers	Wheel hubs with center lock
Machined aluminum top mount with camber adjustment	Racing shock absorbers, non-adjustable	Rear axle:
Adjustable anti-roll bar blades (left & right)	Forged supporting mounts
Power assisted steering with electrohydraulic pressure feed	Double-blade-type anti-roll bar	Multi-link rear axle
	Electrohydraulic power steering	Four-way Multimatic shock absorbers
		Twin coil spring setup (main and helper spring) with adjustable platform
Rear axle:	Rear axle:	Adjustable anti roll bar via both side blades
		Tripod type driveshafts
Multilink independent rear suspension, adjustable in height (ride-height), camber, toe	Multilink rear suspension, adjustable in height, wheel camber and track
Machined aluminum control arms:	Forged struts:
Stiffness optimized	Optimized stiffness
High-performance spherical bearings	Double shear tie rod connection
Wheel hubs with center lock wheel nuts	Heavy-duty spherical bearings
Adjustable motorsport dampers	Wheel hubs with center lock
Machined aluminum mounts	Racing shock absorbers, non-adjustable
Adjustable anti-roll bar blades (left & right)	Forged supporting mounts
	Double-blade-type anti-roll bar
Brake system:	Brake system	Brake system:
Two separate brake-circuits for front and rear axles. Adjustable by driver via brake balance bar System	Two independent brake circuits für front and rear axle, adjustable by the driver via brake balance system.	Two independent brake circuits for front and rear axle, adjustable by the driver via brake balance system
Front axle:	Front axle:	Front axle:
Six-piston aluminum-monobloc racing brake caliper	Aluminum four-piston racing calipers in mono-bloc design	Aluminum six-piston racing calipers with quick release coupling in single-piece design
Ventilated and grooved steel brake disc D = 380 mm, aluminum disc bell	Multi-piece steel brake discs; internally vented and slotted, 380 mm diameter	Ventilated steel brake discs, D = 380 mm
Motorsport brake pads	Racing brake pads	Race brake pads
Optimized brake cooling ducts	Optimized ventilation routing	Optimised brake cooling ducts
Rear axle:	Rear axle:	Rear axle:
Four-piston aluminum-monobloc racing brake caliper	Aluminum four-piston racing calipers in mono-bloc design	Aluminum four-piston racing calipers with quick release coupling in single-piece design
Ventilated and grooved steel brake disc D = 372 mm, aluminum disc bell	Multi-piece steel brake discs; internally vented and slotted, 380 mm diameter	Ventilated steel brake discs, D = 355 mm
Motorsport brake pads	Racing brake pads	Race brake pads
Optimized brake cooling ducts	Optimized ventilation routing	Optimised brake cooling ducts
Wheels/tires:	Wheels/tires:	Wheels/tires:
Front axle:	Front axle:	Front axle:
One piece BBS alloy wheels according to Porsche specification and design, 12.0 x 18 offset 17	Single-piece light-alloy rims according to Porsche specification and design with center lock, 10.5J x 18 ET 28	Forged single piece aluminum rims (BBS) 12.5J x 18 offset 25 with center-lock nut
Michelin transport tires, tire dimensions: 300/650-18	Michelin tires; tire size: 27/65-18	Michelin transportation tires 30/68-18
Rear axle:	Rear axle:	Rear axle:
One piece BBS alloy wheels according to Porsche specification and design, 13.0 x 18 offset 37.5	Single-piece light-alloy rims according to Porsche specification and design with center lock, 12J x 18 ET 53	Forged single piece aluminum rims (BBS) 14J x 18 offset 50 with center-lock nut
Michelin transport tires, tire dimensions: 310/710-18	Michelin tires; tire size: 31/71-18	Michelin transportation tires 31/71-18
Electric:	Electrics	Electrics:
COSWORTH color display ICD (basic memory 512MB, extendable)	COSWORTH color display ICD	COSWORTH ICD color display with integrated data acquisition
COSWORTH power module IPS32Race ABS	COSWORTH electrical system control unit IPS32	COSWORTH IPS – programmable multi-function system control unit
Race ABS	Electronic throttle system	COSWORTH telemetry
Traction control	Fire extinguishing system (extinguishing agent: gas)	Bosch MS 5.0 – Engine control unit
Fire extinguisher system (agent: gas)	Battery 12 V, 70 Ah (AGM), leak-proof, placed in the co-driver foot well	Electric throttle
Battery 12 V, 70 Ah (AGM), leak proof, mounted in passenger foot well	Alternator 150 A	Shiftec – Paddleshift system
180 A alternator	Fan in light weight design	Electrically adjustable mirrors with memory function
Windscreen wiper with direct drive	Wiper with direct drive	Rear view camera
Lighting system:	Lighting system:	Bosch data recorder C50 without WinDarab licence
Xenon main headlights	Bi-xenon-headlight	Oil level indication via telemetry and level sensor in the oil tank
LED technology taillights and rain light	LED daytime running light	Battery: 12 V 18 AH lithium ion
	LED rear lighting system and rain light	140 A Alternator
Options:		Damper travel sensors
		Tire pressure monitoring system
Endurance kit:		Brake disc temperature sensors
4x Xenon extra headlights in front fairing		Driver drink system
Engine oil quick refilll		Light-weight car wiring loom (with ACO logging – connection)
		Lighting system:
PAG options:		Xenon main and additional (4x) headlights
		LED rear lighting system and rain light
COSWORTH ICD memory expansion (1024MB memory)		Leader Light System
Mini IPS (expansion connections for high-current consumers)		Air conditioning system:
BOSCH MS 6.4		Air conditioning lines including quick release couplings
Option 1: channel expansion for internal data acquisition to maximum 720 freely selectable channels, highest resolution data sample rate 1000Hz		Compressor in gearbox areaCondenser in vehicle front
Option 2: data copy from data acquisition from internal memory onto an external USB stick		Condenser in vehicle front
Country-specific race catalyst		Fabric cockpit separation panel
Illuminated start number panels		Temperature sensor
TPMS System
Cockpit illumination
Weight/dimensions:	Weight/Dimensions	Weight/Dimensions:
Total weight: approx. 1,220 kg (subject to BoP)	Total weight: approx. 1,200 kg	Weight approx. 1,220 kg (ACO)
Overall length: 4,604mm	Total length: 4,547 mm	Total length: 4,537 mm
Overall width front axle: 1,975 mm	Total width: 1,851 mm	Total width: 1,962 mm (FA), 2,002 mm (RA)
Overall width rear axle: 2,002 mm	Total height: 1,280 mm	Wheel base: 2,465 mm
Wheelbase: 2,463mm	Wheel base: 2,458 mm

 

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 R (991)

 

 

 

World premiere at the Nürburgring

Stuttgart. 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 368 kW (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.

Adopted from its production sibling, 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. By applying systematic lightweight solutions for the body, add-on parts, and suspension, 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 will be delivered from December 2015.

 

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (991)