Paris 2016: 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Breaks Cover

The latest version of Porsche’s most produced GT racing car; the 911 GT3 Cup has been officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, together with all the details we need to know about the car.

The big news is that it will not be powered by a downsized turbocharged engine like the road-going 911 as many predicted, but a completely redeveloped drive comprising a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder flat engine producing 485hp.

Among the updates the car has received include a valve drive with rigidly mounted rocker arms and a central oil feed, which is being used for the very first time.

Besides that, an integrated oil centrifuge is used to optimise oil defoaming in the engine. A crankshaft with significantly increased rigidity has also been installed.

According to Porsche, the new 911 GT3 Cup will be used in the 2017 race season, namely 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.

The car will also be available for the other brand cups in 2018. Porsche added that in total, it is organising 20 of these race series for customer teams around the world, with the 911 GT3 Cup being used exclusively.

On the exterior, the 911 GT3 Cup, which weighs only 1,200kg thanks to the aluminium-steel composite chassis, comes with a new front apron and a new rear end, which provides improved downforce.

However, the 184cm wide rear wing and the wheel dimensions of 18-inches have been carried over from the predecessor model.

Having sold more than 3,000 units since 1998 in the forms of the 996, 997 and 991 model lines, the new 911 GT3 Cup will be manufactured on the same production line as the 911 road car in its main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, while basic race tuning is performed at the Weissach motorsport centre, where vehicles are thoroughly tested by a professional race driver prior to delivery to the customer.  

Looking for a Porsche? Find one now at Carlist.my