Porsche unveils new 911 GT3 R customer race car for 2019 GT3 series

Porsche 911 GT3 R – the single seat race car

Porsche has unveiled its new single seater customer race car, the 911 GT3 R for the 2019 GT3 series. The car is based on the 911 GT3 RS.

Under the skin

At 541.7bhp, the car produces 28.1bhp more power over the regular 911 GT3 RS with its 4-litre flat six engine. All those 541.7 horses are transmitted to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox with an electronic shift actuator fast shifting times. The electro-hydraulically controlled race clutch eliminates the need of a clutch pedal. The direct fuel injection operates at pressures up to 200 bar. The variable valve timing of the intake and exhaust camshafts has been tweaked. The electronically operated six throttle valves to improve fuel delivery and fuel efficiency.

A light weight race car

To keep the car’s weight in check, Porsche has used carbon-fibre composite material (CFRP) for components like roof, front hood and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections and in the interiors. The windows are of polycarbonate. There a lot of changes to the 911 GT3 R to make it track friendly and cutting edge in terms of aerodynamics. Safety too is given importance as the seats are bolted at six points. The driver side door gets an impact element made of carbonfibre Kevlar aluminium construction. Energy-absorbing plastic foam and the doors and windows can be removed. As per FIA regulations, it comes with a welded in roll cage. It also comes with LED headlights and tail lamps.

A track devouring demon

With all the aerodynamic tweaks done to make it faster on the track, the car looks aggressive and the white and green colour combination looks unique. The front gets a low slung spoiler and blacked out front section. The rear gets a massive wing. It measures 1900mm in width, supported by two columns on the sides. The rear also gets a diffuser and the centrally mounted dual race exhausts sit above the diffuser while the rear section gets the all black treatment. The side mirror handles sprout from the door to form an ‘L’ shape layout. The front hood gets two provisions to fill fuel from both sides to reduce the pit stop duration. The car also gets a single wiper blade for the windscreen. The air dams on the front fairings provide more downforce to the front axles. 390mm and 370mm ventilated discs at the front and rear respectively haul the car to a standstill. They are operated by six piston and four piston aluminium monobloc calipers. The 18-inch alloys are shod with Michelin rubbers.

Race spec interiors

The interior is a massive departure from the 911 GT3 RS. The race spec 911 GT3 R comes with a fully redesigned cockpit. There are a slew of buttons and controls to scare the daylights out of you. The Alcantara wrapped sport steering is ditched for a multi-function CFRP race steering wheel with shift paddles that can be fitted. In case all these buttons have made you sweat, fret not, as the GT3 R comes with air conditioning for the first time. Besides, the driver helmet and the seat also connects to the AC. To help you concentrate on your lap times. The colour display, data logger, and power management system are from Cosworth and a digital multi touch panel. The racecar also comes equipped with Porsche Motorsport traction control (PMTC). The Porsche 911 GT3 R is yet to receive final approval from the FIA. The race car is all yours for Rs 3.71 crore plus taxes and duties.

Click here for our first drive impressions of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.