Image: Porsche
Porsche Motorsport has officially unveiled and released full technical details of its new GT3 car that will enter global competition with customer teams next year.
The latest Porsche 911 GT3 R will be based on the 992 generation of the Porsche 911 road model. According to the German manufacturer, the key focus areas for the new vehicle are “more power, sophisticated aerodynamics and optimized balance.”
Porsche revealed the first images of its Type-922 GT3 car last month from an April test at Spa-Francorchamps, while this weekend it unveiled the car publicly for the first time at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa .
The new 911 GT3 R features a larger engine than its 2019 predecessor, with a displacement of 4.2 liters up from 4 liters in the Type-991.2 car now in its final season.
This has resulted in a 5 percent increase in engine capacity, which Porsche hopes will meet its goal of “utilizing larger reserves for different BoP classifications.”
Porsche says it has optimized the torque and power curves throughout the rev range to make the power unit “better suited” to enthusiast drivers.
Like the 2019 model, which has won several major endurance events, including the 24 Hours of Spa, Nürburgring and Daytona, the new car’s engine is a rear-mounted, water-cooled flat-six boxer with four-valve and direct technology. fuel injection
However, the engine has been tilted forward 5.5 degrees to create more space for the diffuser. Additionally, the alternator and A/C compressor have been moved forward and down in the car to sit in front of the engine and gearbox.
The six-speed sequential gearbox is derived from the current 911 GT3 Cup car, which is also part of the 992 generation.
“We hit the target with the highly successful predecessor,” said Porsche 911 GT3 R project manager Sebastian Golz.
“Consequently, the bar for his successor is high. Our task was less about making the new 911 GT3 R even faster: qualifying within the performance windows set by the BoP quickly negates that advantage.
“For us, it was mainly about our customers being able to drive the race car fast for longer.
“This requires durability and that is why we have mainly focused on improving the ride.
“This is reflected in the new 4.2-litre engine’s wider useful rev band, more stable and consistent aerodynamics and lower loads on the rear tyres, allowing its potential to last longer.”
The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 R also features “modified” suspension components designed for more precise steering and reduced tire wear. The front axle has a double wishbone design, while the rear axle has a multi-link design, as is the case with the 2019 product.
There has been a slight increase in the wheelbase from 2,459 to 2,507 mm thanks to the fact that the rear wheels are moved further back.
The new vehicle’s aerodynamic profile includes a raised underbody and a rear diffuser, while Porsche has introduced a ‘gooseneck’ bracket for the rear spoiler. Similar rear wing designs have been added to this year’s Evo II version of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 and next year’s Ferrari 296 GT3.
Inside the cockpit, the driver’s position has been moved closer to the center for better ergonomics within the safety box and side impact protection newly developed by the FIA.
The steering wheel features elements derived from other Porsche racing cars, such as the 911 GT3 Cup’s 10.3-inch screen and the clustered multi-switch concept found on the GTE-spec 911 RSR-19.
Porsche customer teams will be able to run the new GT3 car in a wide range of series using the global formula, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which accept GT3-based machinery from of 2024.
“The new 911 GT3 R has big shoes to fill,” commented Michael Dreiser, Sales Director of Porsche Motorsport.
“Its predecessor has won almost everything there is to win on the GT3 scene in four seasons since 2019.
“His notable achievements include overall wins at the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and also here at Spa-Francorchamps.
“Driven by our customers, the predecessor took class wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In addition, the car has taken numerous titles in international GT3 sprint and long-distance championships.”
Porsche has stated a price of €511,000 ($521,188 USD) plus VAT for its 2023 competitor, which is expected to make its race debut in non-homologated trim later this year.
Images: Porsche
Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.