Porsche has taken the wraps of its all-new 911 GT3 Cup – the car that will be used in the 2014 Carrera Cup Australia.
The new 911 will run exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2013, before 24 of the German machines make their way to Australia to compete in the domestic championship.
The car, built specifically for one-make racing, was revealed at the end of motorsport season ‘Night of Champions’ celebration at the R&D Centre in Weissach, Germany.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder flat engine. It generates 460 hp (338 kW) at 7500 revs, surpassing the predecessor by 10 hp. A six-speed dog-type gearbox is operated via shift paddles at the steering wheel – a first for one-make Porsches.
The single piece race wheels with centre mount were also newly designed by Porsche Motorsport. The width of the Michelin race slicks was increased by two centimetres to 27 centimetres at the front and by ten millimetres at the rear axle (now 31 centimetres).
A newly developed race braking system further improves the endurance qualities compared to its successful predecessor. The 380 millimetre slotted and inner-vented steel brake rotors at the front axle are decelerated by six-piston aluminium fixed callipers. The rear axle features a four-piston version.
The 911 GT3 also features safety innovations. A newly-designed safety cage protects the driver in case of a roll or a collision, as does a newly developed race seat which is shaped around the head and shoulders of the driver and can be adjusted individually with the help of padding. A rescue hatch in the roof provides easy access for primary medical attention and driver extrication.
The basic price for the vehicle, available exclusively in white, is 181,200 Euro (AUD $223,302) plus the country-specific value added tax.
