New 911 GT3 Cup with ultra-modern drive

New edition of the world's best-selling racing car

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Boasting a completely redeveloped drive, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will take to the starting line on race tracks around the world starting in 2017. The rear of the world's most-produced GT racing car now houses a 4-litre, six-cylinder flat engine for even more drive. Thanks to thoroughbred motorsport technology, the compact engine with direct fuel injection delivers peak performance of 485 hp.

A range of innovative details also improve efficiency in addition to engine performance, ensuring even better durability of the naturally aspirated engine in racing mode and reduced maintenance costs. A valve drive with rigidly mounted rocker arms and a central oil feed is being used for the very first time. An integrated oil centrifuge is used to optimize oil defoaming in the engine. A crankshaft with significantly increased rigidity has also been installed.

A new front apron and a new rear end improve the downforce of the new 911 GT3 Cup and therefore enhance traction and performance. The prominent 184-centimetre wide rear wing has been retained from its predecessor. The wheel dimensions are also unchanged: One-piece 18-inch racing wheels with a central locking mechanism are used – with 270-millimetre Michelin racing slicks on the front axle, and a massive 310-millimetre tread on the rear axle. The intelligent aluminium-steel composite construction ensures maximum rigidity and a lightweight body. The new 911 GT3 Cup is ready to race weighing in at just 1,200 kilograms.

The engineers have also once again focused specifically on driver safety during development. The driver is protected by a solid safety cage and an innovative, bucket-style racing seat that is molded particularly heavily around the head and shoulder area. The enlarged rescue hatch in the roof, in line with the latest FIA standard, makes it easier to provide initial treatment and recovery in case of an accident.

Porsche manufactures the 911 GT3 Cup on the same production line as the 911 road car in its main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The basic race tuning is performed at the Weissach motorsport centre, where vehicles are also thoroughly tested by a professional race driver prior to delivery to the customer. A total of 3,031 units of the 911 GT3 Cup have been built in the 996, 997 and 991 model lines since 1998. This makes the brand cup racing car from Stuttgart the most-produced and most-sold GT racing car in the world.

The new 911 GT3 Cup will be used in the 2017 race season, initially exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which is held alongside the Formula 1 races, and in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, as well as in North America including the next season of the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. In 2018 the car will also be available for the other brand cups. In total, Porsche holds 20 of these one-make race series for customer teams around the world.

The 911 GT3 Cup can already be ordered now for $284,900 CAD.

Porsche Cars Canada, an independent subsidiary of Porsche AG, imports and distributes Porsche vehicles in Canada. The company employs a team of 36 in sales, aftersales, finance, marketing, and public relations. Last calendar year, Porsche sold an unprecedented 6,413 units in Canada, up 30% over 2014.

SOURCE Porsche Cars Canada

Image with caption: "A new edition of the world's best-selling racing car, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, will take to the starting line on race tracks around the world in 2017. (CNW Group/Porsche Cars Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160929_C4248_PHOTO_EN_785208.jpg

CONTACT: Porsche Cars Canada Ltd., 5925 Airport Rd, Suite 420, Mississauga, ON L4V 1W1, Public Relations, Patrick Saint-Pierre, (647) 531-2992, patrick.saint-pierre@porsche.ca