Porsche unveils the new 911 GT4 R for global customer motorsport

Porsche unveils the new 911 GT4 R for global customer motorsport

Porsche has introduced the 911 GT4 R, a new race car designed for global GT4 competition. The vehicle marks a departure for the manufacturer, as it is the first car designed for global GT4 racing to be based on the 911 platform. It replaces the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport; since 2016, Porsche had produced more than 1,500 Cayman-based race cars for the class.

The new model is built on the technical foundation of the current 911 Cup, which itself is based on the road-legal Type 992.2 911 GT3. This alignment allows drivers to progress through the Porsche Motorsport pyramid, moving from single-make series toward GT3 competition while remaining on a single 911 platform. According to Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, this expansion allows for a simplified transition from one-make racing into GT4.

Powertrain and Performance

At the center of the 911 GT4 R is a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine. Depending on the source, the unit delivers up to 520 PS (382 kW) or 513 hp, with maximum torque reaching 346 lb-ft (469 Nm). Performance figures are subject to Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations. To meet these, the car leaves the factory with 53.7 mm air flow restrictors, which reduce power to 430 PS or 424 hp.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed dog-gearbox with electronic paddle shifters and a four-disc racing clutch. For endurance applications, the car features a single-mass flywheel and active oil cooling. The engine also includes dry-sump lubrication, a reworked intake with dual resonance flaps, and a race exhaust equipped with a catalytic converter.

Chassis and Aerodynamics

While the 911 GT4 R shares DNA with the 911 Cup, several chassis modifications exist to meet GT4 class requirements:

• Weight: The GT4 R is heavier, weighing 1,515 kg compared to the 1,260 kg of the 911 Cup. To maintain limits, the car weighs approximately 3,340 lbs.
• Wheels: The wheels are one inch narrower than those on the 911 Cup and utilize a five-bolt mounting pattern instead of center locking.
• Suspension: The car features double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, dual-adjustable dampers, and three selectable spring rates.
• Braking: It uses 380-mm ventilated steel rotors with monobloc calipers—six-piston in the front and four in the rear—supported by Bosch Gen 5 Race ABS.

Aerodynamics have been refined with a larger splitter, a wider bumper, and integrated cooling ducts. A swan-neck rear wing is manually adjustable across 11 positions. To reduce weight, Porsche used natural-fiber-reinforced plastic (NFRP) with epoxy resin for the engine cover, doors, aerodynamic parts, and sections of the cockpit.

Cockpit and Technology

The interior is designed for both professional and amateur drivers, featuring an FIA-approved adjustable bucket seat with interchangeable padding. A 10.3-inch color display provides driver information, complemented by an integrated data logger and a precise GPS system for performance optimization.

Control is managed via a multifunction carbon-fiber wheel containing traction control, ABS, and paddle shifters. A new touch panel with physical click feedback allows for vehicle setting adjustments. Safety and utility features include a 110-liter FT3 fuel cell, an air-jack system, and an LED lighting system with stall-warning and rain lights.

"With the new race car based on the Porsche 911 GT3, we are taking our successful GT4 program to a new level. The combination of iconic 911 DNA and the tried-and-tested GT4 concept creates a unique offering in the market,"

Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport, via performanceracing.com

Market and Competition

The 911 GT4 R is eligible for any series following SRO GT4 technical regulations, including the GT4 European Series and Pirelli GT4 America. In North America, it will compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Porsche Sprint Trophy PCA, the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America.

In the U.S., the car is priced at $375,000, including import and delivery, which is the same price as the 911 Cup. Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year to Pilot Challenge teams taking part in Daytona according to Holzmeyer.

The car is expected to make its official race debut in January at the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, with a broader rollout before the 2027 season begins. It was also scheduled for display at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.