The German sports car manufacturer Porsche has just launched the new race ready 911 GT3 R built around the FIA GT3 regulations, making its world debut on January 14, 2010 at the Autosport International Motorsport Show in Birmingham, U.K. The track tuned GT3 R is intended for competitors of the one make Porsche Cup series that runs alongside Formula 1 as a support race over the Grand Prix weekend, not bad company to be in.

The race car starts life as a special 911 and is then lightened to 1,200 kilos and then the flat six's displacement is bumped up by 200 cc, the result is a 4.0 Liter boxer engine that makes a maximum output of 480 HP, and that is without the aid of any power adders. Making sure that every pony gets to the ground, the 911's already wide arches are further flared to accommodate some extremely wide rubber. Making the race car more reminiscent of what you see on the street, the rear light clusters feature Porsche's new LED design. Prices start at 279,000 Euro. Crew, tires and transporter are extra; but the memories of racing around with the Formula 1 crowd are sure to be well worth the expense.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

Following the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is entering yet another racing car in the 2010 motorsport season: The 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on the international FIA GT3 regulations, thus succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on even better drivability and even easier handling.

The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 bhp (353 kW) transmitted to the rear axle by a sequential six-speed dog gearbox.

The starting point in developing the 911 GT3 R weighing just 1,200 kg or 2,646 lb was the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup presented in September for one-make cup racing. Thanks to its increase in engine size by 0.2 litres, the GT3 R offers 30 bhp more than the Cup model. Both cars are based on the extra-wide body of the 911 GT3 RS street-legal sports car.

An anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control and an e-gas with “throttle-blip” function make it much easier to get used to this new GT3 racing car than its predecessor, meaning that the new model is also more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver.

Flared wheel arches added on to the body both front and rear bear clear testimony to the wider track than on the former model. And like all second-generation versions of the 911, the new 911 GT3 R also comes with striking LED rear light clusters.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R is making its world debut on 14 January 2010 at the Birmingham Motor Show. The car is built by Porsche’s Motorsport Department at the Weissach Development Centre and will be delivered to Customer Teams the world over as of spring 2010. The base price of the Porsche 911 GT3 R is 279,000 euros plus local sales tax/VAT.