Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (997) (2006 – 2012)

ATLANTA – July 13 – Using the full resources of the Porsche engineering staff at its Weissach motorsports facility, and combining the racing technology developed over 50 years of motorsports competition, Porsche has announced the introduction of the new 2007 911 GT3 RSR (type 997) for the American Le Mans Series and other world GT racing venues. The latest version of the most successful racing sports car in history is based on the street production model 911 GT3 RS (model year 2007) which will be launched in late 2006.

Featuring the body of the 911 GT3 RS, which is based on the 911 Carrera 4, the 911 GT3 RSR has wider rear fenders and rear track to improve performance capabilities over its predecessor. The car has also been developed to fit into the 1,225 kg class, which allows for two inch-wider rear wheels (14 inches), and part of the added weight has been used to lower the center of gravity. The new 911 GT3 RSR will also improve aerodynamic efficiency by seven percent and body stiffness has been increased by 10%.

The new car is built in accordance with the 2006 ACO LMGT2 Regulations and the 2006 FIA Article 257 (Technical Regulations for Series Grand Touring Cars).

More than 250 of GT3-R family of 911 race cars have been sold around the world since the introduction of the 911 GT3 R in 1999, and the car has won hundreds of professional races and championships including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and 53 class wins in the American Le Mans Series. In ALMS, the Porsche teams using the GT3 R/RS/RSR have won the championship six of the series’ seven-year existence.

Employing a 3.8-litre, flat six-cylinder boxer engine, the 911 GT3 RSR delivers 485 hp at 8,400 revs per minute (with two 30.0 mm restrictors). Maximum torque is now 435 Nm at 7,250 rpm.

The 911 GT3 RSR also has many notable changes from its predecessor. The sequential six- speed dog-type transmission gearbox has been redesigned to reduce the drive shaft angle which increases efficiency and improves durability. The brake master-cylinders, clutch master cylinder and pedals have been pre-mounted to a sub-frame, which is then bolted onto the floor to gain stiffness and a lower center of gravity. The re-designed electrical system optimizes serviceability by placing all relevant elements in the immediate vicinity of the driver.

The racing suspension, with McPherson struts in the front and the Porsche multi-link axle at the rear, feature new kinematics and closely corresponds to the configuration of the street- legal 911 GT3 RS. The new ZF-Sachs shock absorbers build up less friction and offer excellent response. The adjustable double coil springs, roll bars and shock absorbers ensure precise tuning to suit each circuit.

The 911 GT3 RSR features a brake system with six-piston fixed brake calipers measuring 380 mm in the front, four-piston fixed calipers measuring 355 mm in the rear.

Over the 2006/07 winter, 35 units of the new racing sportscar will initially be built.

2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

To keep up with the more successful Ferrari F430 GT, Porsche updated their RSR for the 2008 sports car season. This model includes a redesigned transaxle which is lighter, has less internal friction and allows for a wider radius of suspension adjustments. Minor aerodynamic upgrades include small front flicks on the front valance and a small Gurney Flap on the engine cover. Porsche updated the design in 2009, but many of the 2008-spec models were still used.

Press Release

2008/02/13 – The Porsche GT3 RSR launches into the new model year with extensive modifications. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last year scored wins at the 24 hour races of Le Mans and Spa as well as overall victory at the Nuerburgring 24 hours, competes in the GT2 class at international long distance races. The most distinguishing feature of the new GT3 RSR is the front end which received major improvements to the aerodynamics. The majority of innovations however are hidden under the weight-optimised body.

Aside from the easily recognisable additional spoilers on the front apron, so-called flicks, an optimised air ducting with newly-designed side air outlets generates more downforce and reduces drag. The rear end including the rear wing was taken over from the predecessor. Extensive changes to the suspension cinematics increase mechanical grip considerably. The range of possible suspension set-ups was broadened.

The 3.8-litre boxer engine of the GT3 RSR remains unchanged apart from slight improvements to details. It delivers 465 hp (342 kW) at 8,000 revs per minute and delivers a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 revs. The rev limiter of the efficient six-cylinder kicks in at 9,400 rpm.
Much of the know-how in the GT3 RSR’s totally new gearbox has come from the RS Spyder sports prototype. The sequential six-speed unit, developed by Porsche engineers, is considerably lighter than its predecessor. Internal friction was substantially reduced. The flat angle of the drive shafts allows teams a wider range of suspension set-ups.

Aside from the GT3 Cup and the GT3 Cup S, the GT3 RSR is the third race car based on the Porsche 911 offered by Porsche Motorsport. Thirty-five units of the fastest and most powerful long distance racer made in Weissach, apart from the exclusive RS Spyder sports prototype, are now being produced and delivered to customer teams around the globe. The price of the GT3 RSR is 349,800 Euro plus VAT.

2009 – 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

To keep pace with Ferrari domination in GT2, Porsche updated their RSR for the second year straight in 2009. To accommodate air conditioning, Porsche had to relocate the cooling system to the front of the car and include an air exit on the top of the hood. Flying Lizard, Felbermayr, IMSA Performance, Trackspeed and Endurance Asia received new cars in 2009.

Press Release

January 22, 2009 — The successful Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new model year with extensive modifications. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last season secured wins in the American Le Mans Series and at the
Nürburgring 24 Hours, competes in the GT2 class at international long-distance races.

The most distinguishing feature of the new GT3 RSR is the redesigned front end with large air outlets on the front hood. Under the lightweight bodyshell, major changes were also made to the quickest 911.

Indeed, the louvers on the front hood are an indication of the completely redesigned air ducting of the radiators, which became necessary through the installation of an optional air-conditioning unit. The aerodynamics under the rear underwent further optimization; the rear wing now features a wider adjustment range. The weight-optimised brake system and the lighter wiring harness contribute to improved handling compared to the previous model.

The capacity of the well-known six-cylinder boxer engine has been increased from 3.8 to 4.0
litres. After another reduction in the size of the air restrictors for the 2009 season, the engine now delivers around 450 hp at 7,800 rpm and maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm. The rev limiter of the efficient six-cylinder unit kicks in at 9,000 rpm. The engine also features an optimized torque curve and offers better driveability.

In the cockpit, a new multi-function display located above the dashboard indicates the optimum moment to change gears. Another new feature is the programmable multi-function, onboard supply system control device, giving teams the choice of many individual functions. For instance, it can be used to infinitely adjust the blinking frequency of the lights in the front apron, which helps identify race cars when they enter the pits in the dark. For easier servicing under race conditions, other modifications were made. The GT3 RSR now features a new air jack system with overpressure valve and the oil refill with fast filling function has now moved to the rear lid, giving mechanics better access.

Aside from GT3 Cup and the GT3 Cup S, the GT3 RSR is the third race car based on the Porsche 911 offered by Porsche Motorsport. About 20 of the successful long distance racers have been built in Weissach and are now being delivered to customer teams around the world. The GT3 RSR costs 380,000 Euro plus VAT specific to each country.

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

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 (355 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.

2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

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.