Yahoo Autos Porsche's Latest 911 GT3 R is Here to Conquer Daytona
GT3 Racing has beaten out GT2 and GT1-based classes to win the world over with a simple formula of customer-focused off-the-shelf cars, relative affordability, and manufacturer support that makes entering any series running the cars relatively easy. This makes Porsche, the world's most experienced purveyor of customer racing cars, the standard bearer for the class that will by 2024 have taken over GT racing in both America and Europe's top levels of sports car racing. That makes any new 911 GT3 R an important moment in global sports car racing. That moment is now.
This is the latest Porsche 911 GT3 R, the first based on the 992-generation 911 GT3. In development since 2019, the headline is the move to a larger and more powerful 4.2-liter flat six, a familiar number for those who followed the development of the last generation 911 GT3 RSR that is set to be retired with the GTE class after the 2023 season. That motor produces 565 hp in its unrestricted form, but GT3 racing is built around balance of performance changes that mean it will generally race at a lower number. Porsche says the new engine has freshly optimized torque and power curves across its entire rev band to better fit "a wider range of driver experience."
As most GT3 racing is pro-am, drivability for amateur racers was made a focus alongside performance for professionals. Affordability to run over the course of a season was another major focus, although affordability is always relative in the world of auto racing. The car itself starts at $567,210 for American customers, although that is before optional extras and significant operating costs.
Porsche says the new GT3 R will make its North American debut at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, the same race where the brand will debut the 963 sports car that will fight for overall wins in the world's top prototype classes throughout 2023. In IMSA, it will be eligible to compete in both the all-pro GTD Pro and the pro-am GTD classes. As it is a GT3 car, the newest 911 GT3 R will also be eligible to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with minor modifications starting in 2024.
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