Rather than build an all-new 911 GT3 R racer based on the recently released 991 road car, which is built on a different platform to the previous 997, Porsche has opted to upgrade the existing GT3 R, introduced in 2010, with an extensive package of aerodynamic and suspension modifications.
It's a case of 'Why mess with success?'
In 2012 production-based GT3 R's entered 131 GT3 endurance races and won 41 of them.
So the 2013 GT3 R comes with wider track and more deeply-dished rims, under wider wheel-arch flares front and rear. The new aerodynamics generate substantially more downforce, allowing for higher cornering speeds and later braking points.
The front bumper panels, all four fenders, the sill covers, the rear panel and the underbody with rear diffuser whave been revised in the wind tunnel, while the rear wing has been stretched to match the width of the wheel-arches and repositioned to work better with the revised body.
WIDER TRACK
The track of both front and rear axles has been extended by 50mm, 300mm wide front rims replaced the previous 275mm hoops and the wheelbase has been stretched by 10mm.
The 368kW, four-litre flat-six engine, however is unchanged, as is its six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox with pneumatic shift system, operated via shift paddles on the steering wheel. The transmission even has a throttle-blip function, and its electronics make skipping gears and then over-revving the engine virtually impossible.
Porsche is also offering a kit to convert existing GT3 R's to the 2013 spec at €45 000 (R540 000) ex works.