Autoblog

Porsche updates competition-spec 911 GT3 Cup before new model arrives

Noah Joseph — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:28:00 EST

If you thought your local country club parking lot or swanky bistro driveway was filled with Porsche 911s, that's nothing compared to the proliferation of the rear-engined sports car on race tracks around the world. Porsche claims that, with over 2,200 examples sold, the 911 GT3 Cup - never mind any other racing variant - is far and away the most popular customer racing car on earth. And now it's set to get just a bit more popular.

Though the next-generation 911 is just around the corner, Porsche's racing department has updated the GT3 Cup one last time. The principal difference is a new 100-liter fuel tank that now complies with an even broader rage of racing regulations. Otherwise it's largely the same as the model we recently drove, packing the same 450-horsepower flat-six as the GT3 RS road car on which it's based, but with 18-inch alloys wearing Michelin slicks and mounted to an adjustable competition-spec suspension. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also available depending on the series.

The new GT3 Cup will be available for delivery to privateer racing teams as of next month, with a price tag starting at 161,750 Euro ($232k by today's rates). Follow the jump for the full press release and scope out the quintet of high-resolution images in the gallery for a closer look. Or better yet, just head down to the local race track, because there's bound to be a few of 'em lapping down there at any given time.

Continue reading Porsche updates competition-spec 911 GT3 Cup before new model arrives

Porsche updates competition-spec 911 GT3 Cup before new model arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video]

Michael Harley — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Racing

Taming A Real Race Car At The GT3 Cup Experience

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Click above for high-res image gallery

Beads of sweat itch as they drip down the bridge of my nose, but there is nothing I can do about it. My hands are buried deep inside fire-resistant racing gloves and my face is covered by a clear Lexan shield sealing the front of my full composite racing helmet. Waiting patiently for the signal from the pit crew, I shake my head side-to-side but the movement is thwarted by the nylon straps of the HANS device determined to keep my vertebrae stable. Eventually, the salty drops fall and they are absorbed by the Nomex balaclava resting against my chin.

Speakers in my foam earplugs crackle to life and a broken voice tells me it is time to start the engine. I had rehearsed this drill earlier in the day, so I use my right hand to switch on the master power. After a quick check to ensure the sequential gearbox is in Neutral, my other hand reaches to the left side of the carbon fiber dash and presses the start button. The engine fires to life and settles down to a coarse growl.

Several pit monkeys line up behind the vehicle, resting their hands on the rear wing, while the crew chief stands in front of the hood holding up a gloved palm. As the seconds tick by, I cinch my harness straps and scan the LCD instrument panel one more time. The voice in my ears cackles back with a simple, "Let's go."

I take a deep breath, put the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car's gearbox into first gear and ease out the clutch...

Continue reading 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video]

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pavlov's Bell: Porsche reveals, prices new 911 GT3 Cup racer ahead of Frankfurt debut

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Click above for high-res image gallery

On any given weekend, Porsche GT3 Cup cars are racing on circuits around the world. It's a trackside fixture, and just about anybody seriously competing in sports car racing at some point gets behind the wheel of the GT3 Cup. There are countless series and racing classes set up around the globe just for this car - and Porsche has just released a new version.

Based on the upgraded 911 GT3 RS, the GT3 Cup gets a host of enhancements for track use. The bodywork is wider, it sits lower, it's got more downforce, a competition-spec exhaust, racing wheels housed in flared wheel wells, firmer suspension settings and more - all to improve the most hardcore 911's competition capabilities. There's also a new steering wheel with controls mounted on the fascia and hooked up to a full adjustable column, while the Supercup version, used for F1 support races, comes with carbon-ceramic brakes.

The 3.8-liter 450 horsepower flat-six carries over from the street-legal GT3 RS, but even that is bigger and more powerful than the GT3 Cup it replaces. You can order it in any color you want, as long as it's white, and it'll set you (or your team) back 150,000 euros - about $215k - minus loose change. The new GT3 Cup is a confirmed debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, and we'll be there to reel off some live photos for your enjoyment, but in the meantime, you can scope out the full details in the press release after the jump and the high-res images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Pavlov's Bell: Porsche reveals, prices new 911 GT3 Cup racer ahead of Frankfurt debut

Pavlov's Bell: Porsche reveals, prices new 911 GT3 Cup racer ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche's 420 HP 911 GT3 Cup car

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Porsche

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.

Continue reading Porsche's 420 HP 911 GT3 Cup car

Porsche's 420 HP 911 GT3 Cup car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche opens new Motorsport Centre in Weissach

Alex Nunez — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:04:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Porsche

Logistics building at the Porsche Motorsport Centre

Porsche Motorsports has a new home in Weissach. Following a year of construction, the Porsche Motorsports Centre occupies over 107,000 square feet in 4 connected buildings that will house workshops, race car production, a truck terminal, a logistics center, and of course, the motorsport administrative offices.

This complex is double the size of the old Motorsports facility, and even though it's mostly going to support Porsche's factory and privateer race efforts, drivers of certain road cars will also find themselves unwitting members of the Porsche Motorsports family. The Centre will also supply spare parts for the 911 GT3 and GT3 RS street cars, illustrating just how closely connected those vehicles are to the company's legendary race program.

(Additional photo and more info after the jump)

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche opens new Motorsport Centre in Weissach

Porsche opens new Motorsport Centre in Weissach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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