Usually, the focus of new race vehicle development is on increasing speed. But in order to maintain fairness and prevent one manufacturer from dominating, a mechanism known as “balance of performance” restricts the vehicles’ capabilities in the two premier endurance racing subgroups FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 R was created with endurance and drivability in mind, rather than pure speed, to help sports car racers more easily overcome difficult events like the 24 Hours of Daytona. Of course, the Porsche 911 GT3 R is built on the same chassis as the current 992-generation 911, but the wheelbase has been stretched by 1.9 inches, and the body panels are now nearly completely made of carbon fiber.
Porsche 911 GT3 R Is Impressive
The 4.2 liters naturally turbocharged, water-cooled flat-six engine is an expansion of the 4.0-liter unit from the road vehicle. The maximum output soars to 565 horsepower, but more importantly for Porsche is focused on maneuverability, the torque and power bands are dispersed over a wider range of revs.
The sequential six-speed gearbox was taken from the GT3 Cup vehicle, which competes in a slower, one-make Porsche Supercup series, and adapted for use in the GT3 R. The engine is still located in the back, but Porsche pushed it forward by 5.5 degrees to create room for the rear diffuser. The front and rear suspensions of the Porsche 911 GT3 R are both multi-link designs with unequal-length control arms, and the adjustable KW suspension systems have five settings.
According to Porsche, the suspension has been created to reduce tire wear on the rears, allowing racers to drive for longer periods of time without losing performance, as well as to make setup adjustments simpler. Additionally, it is claimed that the larger wheelbase will increase tire life and grip consistency across a wider range of track time.
