It's been only a week since Porsche unveiled a camouflaged version of the 911 GT3 Cup race car and we can now see it in all its glory. Unveiled for the 2021 racing season, the 911 GT3 Cup is based on the yet unveiled, road-going 911 GT3. While identical to its road-legal sibling, the GT3 Cup gives us a preview of the upcoming 992-generation 911 GT3.

The 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup features a turbo-spec body for the first time

Previous GT3 Cup models were based on the regular Carrera body-wise, but Porsche decided to change that for the 992 generation. The 2021 911 GT3 now sports a turbo-style body, so it features notably wider rear fenders with integrated vents. The rear end is 1.1 inches wider than the previous model and although it might not seem like much, it actually gives the GT3 Cup a more aggressive stance. The front end is also wider as extended wheel arches were needed to house the wide, race-spec wheels.

Widebody aside, the GT3 Cup remains familiar. The headlamps and front LED lights are still based on the regular production model, but the former now feature X-shaped marks as a tribute to race cars from the past. Front end details that make the GT3 Cup model stand out include the wide bumper vent with a fine mesh grille and the heavily vented front hood. The lower intakes on the hood look a lot like the nostrils that Porsche previewed for the upcoming 911 GT3.

The rear fascia also looks a lot like the road-legal 911 GT3. Of course, the bumper and taillights were bound to be similar since they're heavily based on the regular 911, but the big spoiler and the diffuser are also similar to the 911 GT3 (down to the blue detailing). It even features a similar with with gooseneck-shaped posts, although they're not identical to the road-going 911 GT3.

The 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is made mostly from aluminum

Porsche made some big changes under the paint, opting to replace many of the previous model's steel bodywork with aluminum.

These figures do not include the doors, hood, and rear wing, which are made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. Porsche did not release a curb weight figure, but the 992 model should be notably lighter than its predecessor.

The 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the most powerful yet

As expected, the 992-generation GT3 Cup retains the naturally aspirated, 4.0-liter flat-six of its predecessor. However, the dry-sump lubricated engine is now more powerful than before at 510 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. That's an extra 31 horses over the previous GT3 Cup model. The flat-six also revs higher now toward 8,750 rpm. Power goes to the wheels through an upgraded sequential six-speed transmission with paddle shifters, a single-mass flywheel and a three-plate sintered metal racing clutch. Three different exhaust systems are available depending on the racing series you want to compete in.

Porsche will deliver all GT3 Cup cars with a complete accessory kit. The bundle includes special tools and wishbone spacers required for track adjustment. These were only available as individual parts previously, so it makes setting up the car for each track much easier and less expensive.

2021 Porsche 911 GT3 specifications

As before, the 911 GT3 Cup will compete in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, a one-make series for the nameplate. It's also eligible for national Porsche Carrera Cup series in countries like Germany and France, but also in areas like Benelux and across Asia. For the first time ever, the 911 GT3 Cup will also be featured in a Carrera Cup series in North America.

Deliveries to teams are scheduled to commence in February 2021.

Porsche hopes that the 992-gen 911 GT3 Cup will help the company surpass the 5,000-unit production mark. With 4,251 examples built since 1990 and with the latest 991.2-gen GT3 Cup built in 1,410 units, the new Cup model will definitely help production see new heights and expand well beyond 5,000 cars in just a couple of years.