Porsche Unveils £822k GT3 R Rennsport: A 620bhp Lightweight Successor to the Iconic 935 Racer
Porsche has revealed the Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport, priced at £822,000, as a limited-edition successor to the legendary Porsche 935 racing car, marking the firm’s most potent track-only offering to date.
This exclusive sports car, based on the 911 GT3 R, has been designed to transcend the constraints of FIA GT3 regulations. It is slated for a production run of just 77 units, with its official presentation scheduled for October 28th at the Rennsport Reunion, one of the largest gatherings of Porsche enthusiasts worldwide.
The 911 GT3 R Rennsport is available in two versions, each tailored to meet different racetrack noise regulations: an unsilenced variant and a silenced version, the latter offered in two configurations, both featuring catalytic converters.
Powering this track-focused machine is the same 4.2-liter six-cylinder boxer engine found in the 911 GT3 R, but a series of efficiency enhancements have elevated its output from 557bhp to 611bhp. This boost also increases its redline to 9400rpm and pushes its top speed from 184mph to 196mph. Notably, it achieves an impressive output of 148bhp per liter, a record for a naturally aspirated GT racing car engine. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.
Furthermore, the engine has been engineered to run on bi-ethanol fuels and e-fuels, emphasizing its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. However, it can also operate on conventional unleaded fuel.
Thomas Luadenbach, vice president of Porsche motorsport, remarked, “The new Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport offers the experience of driving a 911-based racing car in what is probably the most primal form. It gives you goosebumps whenever you look at it and combines the finest motorsport technology with a design language that is typical of Porsche.”
Designed by Grant Larson and Thorsten Klein of Porsche Style, the Rennsport shares only its bonnet and roof with the donor car. The remainder of the bodywork is entirely bespoke, featuring a lengthened wheelbase, widened wheel arches, lowered springs, and new 18-inch BBS alloy wheels.
The body itself is constructed entirely from carbon fiber and incorporates aerodynamically optimized fins and larger air intakes on the front wheel arches, in line with its track-oriented purpose. Notably, traditional exterior mirrors have been replaced by electronic screens fed by three body-mounted cameras.
Moving towards the rear, the design draws inspiration from past Porsche racers, with the bumper-width rear wing reminiscent of the seven-time Daytona-winning Brumos Porsche 935/77 and vertical spoiler supports inspired by the Porsche 962 Le Mans racer. Weight-saving measures include the omission of grille covers and certain panels, leaving components like the exhaust exposed.
Inside, further weight reduction is achieved by removing the front and rear passenger seats and the air conditioning system. The interior features a model-specific plaque indicating the chosen model number, two monitors replacing the traditional door mirrors, adjustable ambient lighting, and an FIA-spec roll cage.
The 911 GT3 R Rennsport offers a palette of seven colors, including Star Ruby, Signal Orange, and the brand-new Agate Grey Metallic, exclusive to the 911 range.
Additionally, three liveries are available: Rennsport Reunion Design, inspired by Laguna Seca’s iconic Corkscrew corner; Flacht Design, named after the town where Porsche Motorsport is based; and Speed Icon Design, featuring shades of blue to accentuate the car’s width.
Underneath, the chassis mirrors that of the GT3 R, featuring double wishbones at the front, a multi-link setup at the rear, and five-way adjustable shock absorbers. Bespoke Michelin tires have been developed to improve warm-up times and drivability compared to other motorsport tires.”
