Porsche has unveiled its 2017 911 GT3 Cup, which features a completley new drivetrain. The rear of the world’s most-produced GT racing car now houses a 4-liter, six-cylinder flat engine, which delivers peak performance of 485hp.
Porsche states that a range of innovative details have been added to improve efficiency in addition to engine performance, better durability and reduced maintenance costs. Revisions to the valvetrain include the first time use of rigidly mounted rocker arms and a central oil feed. Porsche sats an integrated oil centrifuge is used to optimise oil defoaming in the engine, whilst a new crankshaft with significantly increased rigidity has also been installed.
The 2017-spec 911 GT3 Cup also gains a revised aerodynamics package, through the use of a new front apron. The 184cm wide rear wing has been retained from its predecessor, as are the wheel dimensions: One-piece 18″ racing rims with a central locking mechanism are used – with 270mm Michelin racing slicks on the front axle, and a massive 310mm tread on the rear axle.
Porsche also states that its engineers focused specifically on driver safety during the car’s development. The driver is protected by a solid safety cage and an innovative, bucket-style racing seat that is moulded particularly heavily around the head and shoulder area. The enlarged rescue hatch in the roof, in line with the latest FIA standard, makes it easier to provide initial treatment and recovery following an accident.
Porsche manufactures the 911 GT3 Cup on the same production line as the 911 road car in its main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The basic race tuning is performed at the Weissach motorsport centre, where vehicles are also thoroughly tested by a professional race driver prior to delivery to the customer. Some 3031 units of the 911 GT3 Cup have been built in the 996, 997 and 991 model lines since 1998.
The new 911 GT3 Cup will be used in the 2017 race season, initially exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which is held alongside the Formula 1 races, and in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, as well as in North America. As of 2018, the car will also be available for the other brand cups. In total, Porsche is organising 20 of these race series for customer teams around the world, with the 911 GT3 Cup being used exclusively.
