Track weapon: what is the Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport?
The GT3 R rennsport - an exclusive racecar freed of motorsport competition regulations
Based on the 911 GT3 R, Porsche has created a phenomenal track car that combines a design-led approach with the technical benefits gained from not having to follow standard competition rules. A car that celebrates the pure joy of racing
Extraordinary. Exclusive. Emotional. Just a selection of the adjectives that spring to mind when it comes to describing the Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport. Unveiled at Rennsport Reunion 7 in September 2023 – the legendary Porsche gathering at California’s Laguna Seca circuit that gave this awesome track car its name – the 911 GT3 R rennsport takes high performance to extreme levels. Here’s the story behind a car that celebrates the joy of driving on the track.What is the 911 GT3 R rennsport?At its heart, the 911 GT3 R rennsport is an artistic blend of pure motorsport design and performance. Limited to just 77 examples, and aimed at sports car enthusiasts and collectors alike, it’s been designed without the constraints of strict FIA GT3 regulations. The ability to design a car free of such restrictions gave Porsche designers and engineers the chance to push the car’s performance and aerodynamics forward in order to explore new frontiers for Porsche racecars. Although it must be mentioned that the 911 GT3 R rennsport is designed as a track car, likely to attract collectors, rather than a competitive racecar.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport offers the experience of driving a 911-based racing car in what is probably the most primal form
“[The car] gives you goosebumps whenever you look at it,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. “It combines the finest motorsport technology with a design language that is typical of Porsche. With its exceptional performance, the 911 GT3 R rennsport makes our brand’s history both tangible and audible. It offers the experience of driving a 911-based racing car in what is probably the most primal form.” The Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport track car is limited to just 77 examples. The model shown features Rennsport Reunion Design, one of three heritage livery designs availableWho designed the 911 GT3 R rennsport?The design of the 911 GT3 R rennsport is the work of the Style Porsche duo of Grant Larson and Thorsten Klein. Their aim went beyond simply designing an efficient racecar – they envisioned creating a track legend that would inspire for generations to come. The logical successor to the modern Porsche 935 (not to be confused with the ground-breaking Porsche racecar of the mid-late 1970s, although undeniably something of an influence), it’s another stylish and hugely powerful limited edition track car. While the trademark design aesthetic of the Porsche 911 is readily evident in the sloping roofline and bonnet of the 911 GT3 R rennsport, there is ground-breaking innovation throughout. “Beneath the extensively redesigned carbon skin is a thoroughbred racing car,” says Grant Larson. As Director Special Projects at Style Porsche for the past 14 years, Grant is responsible, together with Thorsten Klein, for designing the exclusive, one-off vehicles made by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. “We have given the limited edition model a little more width and have visually stretched the length, while at the same time it sits very low on beautifully designed wheels,” adds Thorsten Klein. “This gives it perfect proportions and makes it look even more spectacular.”One of the most eye-catching elements is the sizeable rear wing of the 911 GT3 R rennsport. It not only creates impressive downforce numbers, this imposing aero is also a nod to a Porsche motorsport legend of the past – the Brumos Porsche 935/77 raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1978. At Porsche, motorsport history continues to be both celebrated and something to be inspired by. The 911 GT3 R rennsport, which features an LED strip running the length of the car’s rear, is dominated by a rear wing that was inspired by the legendary Brumos 935/77 racecarContinuing at the rear of the 911 GT3 R rennsport, there is an extended LED light bar that illuminates the Porsche logo and adds a signature touch both day and night. Just below that, a prominent rear apron with grille detailing aids in weight distribution while providing a hint of the technical marvels within. Like the 911 GT3 R, the limited track car is a single-seater.Can you customise the 911 GT3 R rennsport?Customers of the 911 GT3 R rennsport will have plenty of choice when it comes to the paintwork on the car, with seven distinct colours and three special livery paints to choose from. These include an Agate Grey Metallic bodyshell with bodywork in pure carbon. If you’re after something more playful, then options include Star Ruby and Signal Orange. And there are three unique motorsport-inspired livery designs to further consider.The first is the Rennsport Reunion Design, which draws inspiration from traditional motorsport colours to create a visual flow that mirrors the shape of the legendary Corkscrew turn at Laguna Seca – the famed Californian circuit where the 911 GT3 R rennsport made its world debut. Then there’s the Flacht Design which embraces the classic red and white colour palette long associated with Porsche Motorsport. It also pays homage to the Flacht district, where the Porsche Motorsport Centre is based. Finally, the Speed Icon Design features shades of blue which help emphasise the width of the 911 GT3 R rennsport. Typically, all of the designs are finished with a semi-gloss clear coat.The interior of the single-seater 911 GT3 R rennsport features RaceTech upholstery and a fully digital control panelHow fast is the Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport?By being freed from the restrictions that competition cars have to abide to, the 911 GT3 R rennsport is able to present a singular and outstanding driving experience on the track. The heart that thumps underneath its bonnet is a 4.2-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, derived from the 911 GT3 R. The engine revs up to 9400rpm, while a number of efficiencies boost its power (up to 620PS from the 565PS in the 911 GT3 R) and top speed (which increases by 20km/h over its racecar sibling). With it tipping the scales at 1240kg, you’re looking at an extraordinary power to weight ratio of 2kg/PS.The chassis is almost identical to that of the GT3 racing car, featuring a double wishbone suspension layout on the front axle and a multi-link suspension in the rear. And customers of each of the 77 cars also get the opportunity to benefit from Michelin racing tyres offered exclusively by Michelin for 911 GT3 R rennsport customers. These incorporate a new compound tread that helps for improved warm-up and driveability. Meanwhile, the exclusive unsilenced exhaust system on the 911 GT3 R rennsport produces a compelling roar that’s sure to tweak the emotions – although there are quieter exhaust options for those racetracks with noise restrictions.It’s also a vehicle designed to primarily run on eco-friendly E25 fuels, including bio-ethanol and sustainably-crafted e-fuels, for near carbon-neutral track sessions. It can, however, also run on conventional fuels.The 911 GT3 R rennsport can use either conventional or eco-friendly E25 fuels for near carbon-neutral runningHow much does the 911 GT3 R rennsport cost?Such exclusivity and innovation comes at a price. The 911 GT3 R rennsport will cost European customers €951,000, excluding VAT and options. In North America, that figure US $1,046,000 excluding VAT and options. But then this is a racecar built from a legacy that’s destined to create one of its own.NOTE This car is not street legal and can only be raced on closed circuits. It’s also not homologated and does not comply with any current race series regulations.
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