In the mid-2000s (I won’t speculate as to the timing of The Fast and the Furious hype coincidence here…), a new phenomenon in racing launched to help the everyman get an opportunity to enter into a very exclusive culture: racing. The entire point of it was to offer a more accessible alternative to the super-expensive racing world, where customers could bring their love of racing to the streets for a little go-fast competition. Porsche has been in that world for a long time, and deepened their racing portfolio with a 911 version that will allow the lovers of the street-legal 911 to take it to the racing world with the new Porsche 911 GT4 R.
With the new race car based on the Porsche 911 GT3, we are taking our successful GT4 program to a new level. The combination of iconic 911 DNA and the tried-and-tested GT4 concept creates a unique offering in the market. – Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President, Porsche Motorsport
Continuing the Porsche excellence
The new model features a high-revving 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, which delivers up to 520 PS (382 kW). They jumped the maximum torque up to 346 lb.-ft. Under GT4 regulations, these figures will vary depending on the Balance of Performance classification. And due to the GT4 class requirements, the chassis is an inch narrower than the 911 cup.
“Our decision to bring the 911 platform into the GT4 category underlines the growing importance of this class in international motorsport. GT4 has evolved from an entry-level segment into a highly competitive, globally relevant racing platform,” says Laudenbach.
Since Porsche entered GT4 a decade ago, drivers have seen 12 championships, including a sweep of last year’s Manufacturer.
“In North America, the GT4 category is a strength of customer racing in open competition,” Volker Holzmeyer, Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO, said. “The expansion of the 911 platform for use in GT4 allows for a simplified transition from Porsche one-make racing into GT4. Race drivers and teams will benefit from a shared platform with the 911 Cup across our Porsche motorsport one-make system and open competition Series across North America.”
