Porsche unveiled its 2023 GT3 racecar at the Spa 24 Hour race held at the end of July 2022. This latest 911 GT3 R is based on the current 992-generation 911 road car. It has been developed since 2019 and compared to its GT3 predecessor it features a larger, still naturally aspirated engine producing up to 416 kW (558 bhp) at 9250 rpm running on E20 fuel.
A bore of 104.5 mm is combined with a stroke of 81.5 mm for 4194 cc compared to the 3997 cc of the previous GT3 engine. This is a near-standard dry sump engine based on the 992-generation 911 power plant. Porsche states that like in the previous model, it is a water-cooled flat-six engine with four valves per-cylinder and direct fuel injection. It is run by a Bosch MS6.6 engine management system.
The engine remains in the classic rear position but has been tilted forwards 5.5 degrees to provide more leeway for the underbody diffuser. Auxiliary units such as the alternator and the air conditioning compressor have been moved a metre forward and further down into a space in front of the engine and gearbox, which has a positive effect on the weight distribution. The sequential six-speed constant mesh gearbox is derived from that of the current 911 GT3 Cup car, which was likewise based on the current 992-generation 911.
Sebastian Golz, 911 GT3 R Project Manager at Porsche Motorsport said, “Our task was less about making the new 911 GT3 R even faster – the classification within performance windows set by the BoP quickly cancels out this advantage. For us, it was primarily about our customers being able to drive the racing car fast for longer. This is reflected in the new 4.2-litre engine’s broader usable rev band, more stable and constant aerodynamics and lower loads on the rear tyres, which allow their potential to last longer.”