Filed under: Motorsports, Porsche
Porsche's 420 HP 911 GT3 Cup car
Porsche is producing 256 911 GT3 Cup cars for wealthy privateers to campaign in the 2008 season Mobil1 Supercup, Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge. The new GT3 Cup is a yet another evolution of the model, producing 420 HP from its 3.6-liter flat-six and expelling spent hydrocarbons through a competition-spec exhaust. Power is routed through a sequential six-speed 'box with a 5.5-inch three-plate clutch, oil/water heat exchanger and single mass flywheel allowing drivers to rip through the ratios while keeping the long pedal planted to the floorboard. Weight has been reduced to 2491 pounds through the use of carbon fiber and reinforced plastic door panels, boot lid and rear body panels, along with ceramic composite brakes. Sachs dampers and double coil springs keep things planted around the road course, and allow for infinite adjustability of height, camber and track.
All the techy tidbits are available in the press release after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is entering the 2008 motorsport season with engine output increased to 420 bhp. The car will be raced in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, the world's fastest international brand trophy, and worldwide in national Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges. 265 units of this production-based racing car developed in Weissach will be built on Porsche's production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, marking a new record for a car of this category.
The most significant modification compared with last year's model is the new rear end following the design of the production model. Air venting slits ensure better dissipation of heat at the rear. The 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine developed in Weissach is also based on the street-legal GT3 and develops maximum output of 420 bhp, 20 horsepower more than on the previous model. 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 1,150 kg in race trim, the new 911 GT3 Cup has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg per horsepower.
The 26 units of the 911 GT3 Cup built for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup feature a special exhaust system with an even more striking sound pattern reminiscent of the Formula 1 racing scene as well as PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as exclusive highlights. Compared with conventional brake discs, PCCB reduces unsprung masses by 20 kg and sets new standards in terms of responsiveness, resistance to fading, and a long service life. The racing cars entered worldwide in the Carrera Cup feature a modified exhaust system and steel brake discs.
Porsche's Racing Department in Weissach is responsible for the fine-tuning and running in the 911 GT3 Cup cars. Deliveries will be directly from Weissach, depending on the country of destination and the schedules to be observed. 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 early March 2008.
Specifications
Power Unit
Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer; 3,598 cc; stroke 76.4 mm (3.01"); bore 99.98 mm (3.94"); max output 420 bhp (309 kW); max torque 420 Nm (310 lb-ft); max engine speed 8,400 rpm; four-valve technology; dry sump lubrication; two-stage resonance intake distributor; central air intake; electronic MS 3.1 engine management; fuel injection (multi-point, sequential); fuel grade 98 RON premium plus unleaded; racing exhaust with fully controlled catalytic converter (400 cells); rear silencer with centrally mounted double tailpipe; special exhaust tailpipes for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
Power Transmission
Six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; compressed oil lubrication; oil/water heat exchanger; single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; 5.5-inch three-plate sintered metal clutch; limited-slip differential 40/60 %; rear-wheel drive.
Body
Monocoque body made of hot-galvanised steel; 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; bucket-type racing seat (on driver's side only) with flame-resistant seat cover; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system; 90-litre fuel tank; safety bar holding the battery in position.
Chassis and Suspension
Front: 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: 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).
Brakes
Brake system with balance bar control.
Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 380 mm (14.96") in diameter; racing brake pads.
Rear: 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).
Electrical System
Motec display with integrated data recording; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 90 Ah alternator.
Weight
Approx 1,150 kg (1,130 kg with PCCB).
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
porschedevotee 5:18PM (11/30/2007)
Almost 117 hp/liter from a N/A engine? *drool*
P.S. Why didn't they throw the PCCB discs on before? They've had them around for a few years (assuming these are the same as or very similar to the ones they have on the GT2, including the 996 version)
Reply
Freestyle4x4f150 5:21PM (11/30/2007)
420 hp dude.. puff puff pass
Mike 9:25PM (11/30/2007)
420HP / 3.6L = 116.7 HP/L
Freestyle4x4f150 = Fail
ermax18 3:16AM (12/01/2007)
Freestyle4x4f150,
GT3 Cup : 2491/420=5.9
Ford GT : 3485/550 = 6.3
GT3 Cup : 420/3.6 = 116
Ford GT : 550/5.4 = 102
1996 Honda Integra Type-R : 195/1.8 = 108
Freestyle, come on, it's a race car not a tank.
Equilibrium 11:15AM (12/01/2007)
What surprise?!
DTM car about 120bhp/L.
F1 car over 300bhp/L.
Kamil 11:58PM (11/30/2007)
"and allow for infinite adjustability of height"
Wow, that's freakin amazing... damn German engineers.
Reply
theguru 12:25AM (12/01/2007)
92 civic hatch > gt3
ermax18 3:16AM (12/01/2007)
Adjustable track? That is interesting.
Reply
Equilibrium 11:24AM (12/01/2007)
2005 Ferrari FXX: 6262cc 800bhp,over 127bhp/L.
2008 Ferrari FXX Evolution: 6262cc 860bhp,over 137bhp/L.
Reply
Mike I 10:09PM (12/01/2007)
Whao. 420HP in a car that weighs less than a Toyota Corolla. Amazing.
Reply
Thanh T. 7:35AM (12/02/2007)
Racing privateers are a rare breed...trying to find a racing vehicle in good shape and competitive is often hard to find. Porsche did a good thing by offering to produce 256 racing spec 911 GT3.
I think a lot of race car investors are interested...it takes a lot of money racing as a privateer...
nice article : )
Reply
Bob 12:03PM (12/02/2007)
Have you been to a PCA Club race or DE event recently? The field is packed full of 1st and 2nd generation Cup cars. As the mega dollar teams of the wall streeters and CEO's upgrade to the latest versions, thier previous cars get scooped up by the mearly wealthy.
There is a thriving market for used 1st line Cup cars. and once you can get past the intial investment, the yearly upkeep is no more than say ... a 40 - 50 power boat. same sort of $. ( maybe even less) differnt kind of fun.
Thanh T. 8:51AM (12/03/2007)
Hi, Bob. I got your message. No, I have not been on the race tracks lately...
The Porsche Club of America is a wonderful club with great events... perhap's I may join in the near future. I have a few memberships to other racing-driving-charity car clubs as well.
I started racing when I was a kid with go-karts and sprints as a got older autocross and underground imports...meet many wonderful folks over the years.
I still keep an old Skip Barber Racing School catalog-schedules from 15 years ago... : )
Thanks, for the tip on Porsche 1st and 2nd generation Cup cars Bob. I appreciate it. Have a safe holiday season and Merry Christmas.
Reply