September 30th 2023
Rennsport Reunion 7 kicks off in California, and Porsche unveils a unique vehicle to commemorate the event. If you’re not familiar with it, the Rennsport Reunion is Porsche’s way of honoring its illustrious racing heritage. And this isn’t your typical 911 GT3 R – it’s not street-legal, nor does it meet GT3 competition standards. This is the Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport, and it can be described in one word: extraordinary.
Porsche officially calls it the 911 GT3 R rennsport, with a lowercase ‘r.’ However, this lowercase ‘r’ is in stark contrast to the car itself. Beneath that imposing rear wing, which requires additional supports to manage the immense downforce it generates, lies a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter flat-six engine borrowed from the GT3 race car. However, this isn’t built to GT3-class regulations, so it churns out a formidable 611 horsepower. The engine is optimized for E25 fuel and receives custom pistons and camshafts. The compression ratio is higher, and you can only imagine the spine-tingling sound it makes as it revs up to 9,400 RPM.
As the photos reveal, you can probably hear the GT3 R rennsport from a mile away when it’s in full throttle. With no rules governing its use on the street or in GT3 races, Porsche opted to keep the rear end of this 911 largely exposed to save weight. Instead of panels and covers, you’ll spot various mechanical components in action, including the exhaust system, which can be fully open or equipped with mufflers and catalytic converters for tracks with noise restrictions. The six-speed sequential gearbox from the GT3 R is fitted with minor tweaks and powers only the rear wheels.
Speaking of wheels, these are special 18-inch rims from BBS, wrapped in Michelin tires tailored specifically for this car. The chassis and suspension setup is straight from the racing GT3, though Porsche has given the rennsport its unique factory tuning.
The body is arguably the centerpiece here. Porsche claims that only the hood and roof are shared with the GT3 R. The front end draws inspiration from the racing version but takes a radical approach with redesigned vents, panels, and fins. As you move towards the rear, you’ll notice the absence of side mirrors, replaced by cameras that feed displays in the rennsport’s bespoke cockpit. And, of course, there’s that distinctive rear wing reminiscent of the iconic 935/77 – Porsche sees the 911 GT3 R rennsport as a contemporary successor to the 935.
Porsche doesn’t just view this as a high-performance machine; it’s also seen as a collector’s item. Consequently, buyers can select from seven color options and three exterior designs.
Thorsten Klein, Style Porsche project manager for the GT3 R rennsport, commented, “Porsche has been shaped by its rich history, especially in racing. This heritage inspired us, but we didn’t want to merely replicate the past or apply an obvious retro paint job. The three options we’ve chosen are fresh interpretations.”
If you want one of these exclusive 911s in your collection, you’ll need to act swiftly and have deep pockets. Porsche is producing only 77 GT3 R rennsports, with prices starting at a substantial $1,046,000.
Source and Images: Motor1