(2005 – 2013) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (997) – Ultimate Guide
2005 – 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
In February 2006, Porsche unveiled the second generation of GT3, the 997 commonly now known as the 997.1 GT3. In addition to a new 415 PS (305 kW) 3.6 litre flat-six engine, the vehicle featured “zero lift” aerodynamics, meaning the car creates only aerodynamic downforce and no grip-diminishing “lift” upwards and away from the road surface. The GT3 made use of a modified, track oriented version of Porsche’s active PASM suspension making it the first of Porsche’s RS or GT3 versions to feature an electronically adjustable suspension system. Also available was a navigation system and Porsche’s “sports chrono” gauge package. The car went to sale in summer of 2006. A total of 917 units were sold in the United States and 46 units in Canada.
2008 – 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is entering the 2008 motorsport season with engine output increased to 420 bhp. The car will be raced in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, the world’s fastest international brand trophy, and worldwide in national Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges. 265 units of this production-based racing car developed in Weissach will be built on Porsche’s production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, marking a new record for a car of this category.
The most significant modification compared with last year’s model is the new rear end following the design of the production model. Air venting slits ensure better dissipation of heat at the rear. The 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine developed in Weissach is also based on the street-legal GT3 and develops maximum output of 420 bhp, 20 horsepower more than on the previous model. The sequential six-speed transmission with interruption of engine power enables the driver to shift up under full throttle without disengaging the clutch. The transmission itself has been optimised and the gear ratios adjusted to the characteristics of the engine. Weighing 1,150 kg in race trim, the new 911 GT3 Cup has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg per horsepower.
The 26 units of the 911 GT3 Cup built for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup feature a special exhaust system with an even more striking sound pattern reminiscent of the Formula 1 racing scene as well as PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as exclusive highlights. Compared with conventional brake discs, PCCB reduces unsprung masses by 20 kg and sets new standards in terms of responsiveness, resistance to fading, and a long service life. The racing cars entered worldwide in the Carrera Cup feature a modified exhaust system and steel brake discs.
Porsche’s Racing Department in Weissach is responsible for the fine-tuning and running in the 911 GT3 Cup cars. Deliveries will be directly from Weissach, depending on the country of destination and the schedules to be observed. While the cars for the Carrera Cup New Zealand have already been shipped, delivery of the racing cars for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the Carrera Cup Germany is scheduled for early March 2008.
2010 – 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Stuttgart. Stronger, wider, faster – the new version of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup offers its many customers the world over even greater value than ever before. The successor to the best-selling racing car of all time built in a production series of more than 1,400 units is based for the first time on the 911 GT3 RS, with the weight of the racing model reduced significantly versus the lightweight road-going version.
This is the first GT3 Cup to feature the 44-millimetre (1.73″) wider body at the rear, providing sufficient space for even larger wheels. Wider wheel arches also at the front clearly show that the front wheels are likewise new.
Engine capacity is up by 0.2 litres over the former model, engine output is 30 bhp more than before. The most important facts and figures: 3.8-litre six-cylinder horizontally-opposed power unit developing 450 bhp (331 kW), sequential six-speed manual gearbox, weight 1,200 kg (2,646 lb), racing version of the 911 GT3 RS.
The new GT3 Cup is clearly recognisable at very first sight through the special looks and design of the front end. The striking daytime driving lights come straight from the current generation of the 911, the front body panels are the same as on the 911 GT3 RS. The front spoiler lip is however 15 millimetres or almost 0.6″ lower to provide significantly more downforce on the front axle. Downforce on the rear axle is also increased by the rear wing extended in width from 1.46 to 1.70 metres (57.5 to 66.9″) and fitted higher up as a feature carried over from the even faster 911 GT3 Cup S in international FIA GT3 racing. The rear air dam with its striking air vent openings as well as the rear lights in LED technology, in turn, come straight from the road model.
The power unit featured in the new 911 GT3 Cup is largely identical to the production engine in the 911 GT3 RS – same output of 450 bhp and same maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm. Capacity of the Cup engine, however, is up from 3.6 litres on the former model to 3.8 litres on the new car, helping to increase engine power by 30 bhp.
A racing exhaust system with a fully controlled catalytic converter helps to reduce harmful emissions to a minimum. As an exclusive feature in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup held on the occasion of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship races, the new 911 GT3 Cup comes with a modified, special exhaust system offering an even more dynamic and muscular sound. Another feature exclusive to the Supercup version is PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes also available on Porsche’s road models. Compared with the composite cast brake discs featured on the Carrera Cup cars, this reduces the weight of the car by approximately 20 kg or 44 lb.
The wheel arches wider at the front and the flared wheel arches at the rear provide ample space for even wider wheels. Hence, the front axle comes with three-piece light-alloy rims measuring 9.5 J x 18 (previously 9 J x 18) and running on 24/64-18 Michelin racing tyres. The three-piece light-alloy rims on the rear axle are up by one inch in width, now measuring 12 J x 18 and running on 27/68-18 tyres.
Additional Unibal joints are featured on the track control arms and the sword-shaped anti-roll bars front and rear are now adjustable to seven different positions on both sides, allowing an even more precise set-up of the car in accordance with the respective race track.
The cockpit of the new 911 GT3 Cup caters even more than before for the specific needs of the driver. An additional vent in the upper part of the front lid, for example, provides the driver with an even better supply of fresh air. The controls for the Info Display are now positioned directly on the steering wheel housing a total of six switches. And in addition to fore-and-aft adjustment, the steering wheel may now also be adjusted for height as on the regular production car.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup available exclusively in Carrara White will be delivered to customers as of the end of October. In the upcoming season it will be raced in no less than seven cup trophies – not only in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on the occasion of Formula 1 races, but also in the Porsche Carrera Cups in Germany, Asia, Japan, and Italy, as well as the GT3 Cup Challenges in the USA and the Middle East.
2008 – 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S
To a large extent, the 3.6-litre boxer engine is identical to the power unit used in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the international Carrera Cup championships. Power output has increased by 20 horsepower to now 440 hp (324 kW) at 8,000 rpm. Maximum torque is up by ten Nm to 430 at 7,250 revs per minute. The power increase results from optimised engine electronics and a modified exhaust system.
In contrast to the GT3 Cup, the body of the Cup S is not based on the road-going GT3 but on the GT3 RS. In the wider wheel arches, considerably larger wheels can now be mounted. At the front, the rims measure 10.5 inches in width with 12 inch wheels fitted at the rear. The front section and flares are significantly different to the GT3 Cup components. An adjustable front-splitter generates more downforce at the front axle. The rear-wing is wider and positioned higher than the Cup version and provides more downforce at the rear axle.
Several suspension components for the GT3 Cup S have been taken from the more powerful GT3 RSR which races in the GT2 class at international long-distance championships. The braking system of the GT3 Cup S was adjusted to the increased power compared to the GT3 Cup. At the rear the diameter of the brake discs has grown by five millimetres to now measure 355mm.
The new GT3 Cup S costs 250,000 Euro plus national VAT and is scheduled for delivery to customer teams from April. Additionally, Porsche offers a kit to upgrade the 2007 Cup models to the GT3 Cup S standard.
