Porsche reveals new 911 GT3 R Racecar with 500 horsepower heart, $500k price tag

By Miles Branman May 15, 2015

Porsche has a rich motorsports heritage, and its 911 GT3 race car has amassed a ridiculous amount of wins over the years. Now, Porsche has revealed the latest iteration of the GT3 R for racing in global GT3 events.

Enhancing the 2015 911 GT3 RS’s components for track duty, the GT3 R has a three-inch longer wheelbase, a lower center of gravity, and substantial hardware upgrades.

The longer body and lower center of gravity improves weight distribution for better handling. Porsche engineers have also managed to shed weight thanks to a mix of aluminum, steel, and composite materials used in its construction. Other components are manufactured from carbon fiber, including the roof, front cover and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side, and tail section. Finally, the windows and windshield are made from polycarbonate.

At the heart of the new 911 GT3 R is the 4.0-liter flat-six from the GT3 RS road car, developing at least 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. A sequential six-speed gearbox transfers the power to the rear wheels.

Braking has been improved as well. The GT3 R’s 380mm slotted front discs are clamped by six-piston aluminum calipers and the 372mm rear discs are paired with four-piston calipers. The combined results should enable the new GT3 R to perform well in endurance racing.

Rounding out the upgrades will be a new safety fuel cell with 120-liter capacity and new racing bucket seats that will better protect the driver in collisions.

Prices for the 2015 911 GT3 R start at $490,000 USD.

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Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…

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