The last 997 based racer, get your checkbooks ready! Details and more wallpaper sized awesome for you after the jump.
Press Release 04/11/2011
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
New customer sport top model for 2012 race season
Stuttgart. The new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is ready to race. The top model of Porsche Motorsport’s customer racing vehicles will head into the 2012 season with extensive modifications. Particularly striking at first glance are the changes to the body: the width of the new GT3 RSR has grown by 48 millimetres. Built to conform to the A.C.O. “LM” GTE regulations, the 911 represents the crowning pinnacle of a range of successful customer sport race cars that are based on the 997 type 911 GT3 RS street sports car.
Powering the new 911 GT3 RSR is a particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine with a four-litre capacity. With a mandatory air-restrictor, it generates 460 hp (338 kW) and drives the 310 millimetre wide rear wheels. The diameter of the front wheels has increased by 30 mm to now measure 680 millimetres. The Porsche sequential six-speed gearbox is operated via paddle shifts on the steering wheel.
The nose and rear panels are adapted to the flared front and rear wheel arches, as are the door sill and the wheel arch coverings. The aerodynamic concept is complemented by a new ducting of the intake air. Openings in the rear side sections, as known from the turbo variants of the Porsche 911, replace the air scoop on the engine hood, which is very similar to the 911 GT2 RS street sports car.
The new 911 GT3 RSR can be raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Le Mans Series, the American Le Mans Series as well as the International GT Open and in other series and races.
“Our customer teams can expect a technically mature, high performance race car with which they will be highly competitive at international long distance races,” assures Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “Our test programme on various international race tracks is currently running at full speed. We are very pleased with the car’s performance and driveability.”
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR will be delivered to customer squads around the world from January 2012. The selling price is 498,000 Euro plus value added tax of the respective countries.
Victory for Olaf Manthey's team with the Porsche 997 RSR of Marc Lieb, Lucas Lühr, Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard.
Check out that RSR, that is a warrior's car!
Really, all those who finished the Eiffel classic deserve a big round of applause. Among them, a fantastic 20th overall for the EVO sponsored GT3 Chris Harris was driving and the 38th placing of or friend Sergio "Sergini" Negroni. Congratulations to everyone!
Videos are on a separate post but make sure you hop over the jump to see some great shots Julien Mahiels sent for us. Brilliant as usual!
Here is the 2011 Porsche GT3 RSR. Full details and more pictures after the jump. I uploaded desktop sized pictures you can download on our Flickr! account.
(hit ''full screen'' for added fun!)
Debut for the 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car
Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new motorsport season with extensive modifications. The 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car celebrated its international premiere at the “Night of Champions” party held at the R&D Centre in Weissach to mark the end of the motorsport season. Priority in the further development of the GT3 RSR was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear, changes to the suspension kinematics and to the engine.
The 4.0-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine now delivers 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 revs, five horsepower more than its predecessor. The power increase results from an engine management system which adapts even better to different fuel grades, as well as a redesigned exhaust system and a modified air intake housing. Moreover, the driveability of the famously efficient engine has undergone further improvements. Maximum revs remain unchanged at 9,400 rpm.
Clearly visible are the modifications to the front. A new front lip provides higher downforce at the front axle. The front wheels are now wider with the rims growing from 11 to 12 inches giving additional grip and less of an understeering tendency. The position of the rear wing and the shape of the wing mounting also underwent optimisation and were adapted to the new rear fairing with additional air outlet louvers. The rear lid was also redesigned for optimised air ducting. Like the 911 GT3 Cup and the GT3 R, the RSR has now been equipped with the LED rear lights taken from the latest 911 road-legal cars.
The 911 GT3 RSR joins the 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup as the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s product range. The successful long distance racer from Weissach can be ordered now at a price of 410,000 Euro plus country-specific value added tax. All 2011 modifications are available as a kit for GT3 RSR cars from the 2010 season.
Technical description Porsche GT3 RSR (2011 model year) Engine Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine; 3,996 cc; stroke 80.4 mm; bore 102.7 mm; 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 rpm; max. torque 450 Nm; air restrictors 2 x 28.6 mm; max. revs 9,400 rpm; four valve technology; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle butterflies; fuel injection.
Body Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel; aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; aerodynamically optimised front underfloor; adjustable rear wing; 90-litre FT3 safety fuel tank with fast filling function; air jack; welded-in safety cage; race seat (driver’s side only) with flame retardant upholstery; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire extinguishing system.
Suspension Front axle: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar; power steering. Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary); rear axle tie-bar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar. Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).
Brake system Brake system with balance bar control. Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner vented, 380 mm diameter; racing brake pads. Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner vented, 355 mm diameter; racing brake pads.
Wheels Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (12J x 18 ET 34); central bolt. Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18 ET 12.5); central bolt.
Electrical system Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable traction control; battery: 12 volt, 80 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.
A rumor that has been rolling around for a while, make of it what you will, It goes like this: Porsche will top off the 997 production run with a limited production, carbon fiber paneled 4.0 liter GT3 perhaps designated as 997 GT3 RSR.
This ultimate 500 hp 997 GT3 would be sold alongside the next generation 991 but limited to 500 copies and priced in GT2 territory.
We know nothing more at the moment but will add that Porsche does have a penchant for special editions. Producing this special model would probably cost Porsche little and produce what is sure to be one of the most sought after special models ever.
Meanwhile as widely expected, the 997 Speedster was announced. Check it out on EVO
Toto Wolff's fast, 7:03.28 fast! Two days ago, he had just completed that record lap onboard a 997 RSR and going for a second, as he hits the Fuchsroehre compression his rear right outside tire explodes. He's fine, the car, probably less so.
If you've driven the 'Ring you should be able to create a vivid mental picture of what losing a tire on that particular corner might mean for your underwear.
For another spectacular rear tire failure clip, don't miss this old classic from 2006 : "Ich bin abgeflogen!"
