Porsche unleashes ultra-lean and mean 911
Ripped, stripped 911 GT3 Cup set to make an impact on racetracks around the globePorsche has unveiled arguably the ultimate interpretation of its normally aspirated 911 -- and the car in question is the race-prepped 911 GT3 Cup for the 2008 motorsport season.
The car will be raced in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup -- billed as the world's fastest one-make series -- and worldwide in national Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges.
Porsche plans to build 265 units of the production-based racing car, and it will be assembled on Porsche's production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Its maker says the production volume of the new GT3 Cup marks a new record for a car of this category.
The most significant modification compared with last year's model is the revised rear end, which features new air venting slits to ensure better heat dissipation. The 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine has also been uprated to produce 309kW -- 15kW more than its predecessor.
Porsche claims the sequential six-speed transmission with "interruption of engine power" enables the driver to shift up under full throttle without disengaging the clutch.
The transmission itself has been "optimised" and the gear ratios adjusted to the characteristics of the engine. Weighing 1150 kg in race trim, the new 911 GT3 Cup has a sprightly power-to-weight ratio of 3.7 kg per kilowatt.
The 26 examples of the GT3 Cup built for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup feature additional upgrades, including a special exhaust system with a "sound pattern reminiscent of the Formula 1 racing scene" as well as PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes).
Compared with conventional brake discs, PCCB reduces unsprung mass by 20kg and is more resistant to fading.
While the cars for the Carrera Cup New Zealand have already been shipped, delivery of the racing cars for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the Carrera Cup Germany is scheduled for March 2008.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (2008 model)
Engine:
Power: 309kW
Torque: 420Nm
Exhaust: Racing exhaust with fully controlled catalytic converter (400 cells); rear silencer with centrally mounted double tailpipe; special exhaust tailpipes for the
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
Drivetrain: Six-speed gearbox with sequential shift; limited-slip differential; rear-wheel drive.
Body: Monocoque hot-galvanised steel body; aerodynamically optimised
front end with front spoiler; doors with side frames made of CFP and
reinforced plastic door panels; rear lid with adjustable rear wing made of
CFP; rear body panels made of CFP; air jack; welded-in rollcage;
Front suspension: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); front axle arms adjustable for camber;
adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar; reinforced front axle crossbar with
six-point fastening and double clamping; power steering with
electrohydraulic pressure supply.
Rear suspension: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle subframe; Sachs gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); rear axle track
arm adjustable for camber; rear axle tiebar reinforced and infinitely
adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar.
Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).
Front brakes: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 380 mm (14.96") in diameter; racing
brake pads.
Rear brakes: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 350 mm (13.78") in diameter; racing
brake pads.
Wheels/Tyres: Front - Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (9J x 18); ET 43 with central locking; Michelin rain tyres (24/64-18); Rear - Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18); ET 30 with central locking; Michelin rain tyres (27/68-18).
Kerb weight: Approx 1150 kg (1130 kg with PCCB).
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