Porsche: The Evo 911 GT3 R is absolutely majestic

Sebastian Goltz, Project manager Porsche 911 GT3 R

“Our focus for this update was on optimisation. Small changes can make a big difference when built on a solid, proven foundation. Driver feedback after the first race outing during the development phase in April confirmed our direction. We’re confident this evolution will allow our customer teams to continue competing successfully across the globe.” This is the introduction about the new Porsche 911 GT3R Evo

Overall look of the car, launch in 2026

Since its debut at the start of 2023, the current Porsche 911 GT3 R has built an impressive track record, with numerous victories and titles from more than 500 race starts worldwide. In the past season alone, customer teams secured the unofficial GT3 World Championship for manufacturers in the Intercontinental GT Challenge and claimed first place in all three GTD Pro classifications of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

In the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), the current GT3 R – of which Porsche Motorsport has delivered 106 units to customer teams to date – took the chequered flag first in six of the eight races on the legendary Nordschleife. The car also won the inaugural Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 teams and drivers in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, triumphing over eight rival sports car manufacturers. This season, the up to 416 kW (565 PS) Porsche 911 GT3 R remained unbeaten at the French classic again. In the DTM, 2023 champion Thomas Preining reignited his 2025 title challenge with a recent victory at the Norisring.

The newly evolved race car, refined by Porsche Motorsport in numerous key areas, now follows in the footsteps of its highly successful predecessor. The primary focus of the evolution was on optimising suspension and aerodynamics, with the goal of achieving an even more balanced handling and improved drivability – particularly for non-professional drivers – even under variable conditions.

Chassis and aerodynamics optimisations

The most striking visual feature of the new 911 GT3 R is the addition of ventiducts on the upper side of the front wheel arches. These so-called “louvres” significantly contribute to improved aerodynamics. Coupled with the optimised kinematics of the double wishbone front suspension, which provides an anti-dive effect by enhancing force resistance, the louvres help to counteract front-end compression during deceleration, thereby maintaining aerodynamic balance. This reduces the tendency of the car to tilt forward during braking, also known as pitch sensitivity. As a result, the new 911 GT3 R offers more precise and predictable braking behaviour, improving overall control.

A bit more power for the 2026 GT3R Evo

The 4.2-litre flat-six engine, which delivers up to 416 kW (565 PS) depending on its Balance of Performance (BoP) classification, and the drivetrain of the current 911 GT3 R remain largely unchanged. For existing vehicles based on the 911 generation 992, Porsche Motorsport plans to offer around 60 update kits at a unit price starting at 41,500 Euros plus country-specific sales tax. The new-generation modifications can then be installed on existing vehicles.

Development and testing on track

Development of the new 911 GT3 R began in August 2024. Porsche Motorsport conducted testing both at its in-house facility in Weissach and on permanent race circuits such as Sebring, Paul Ricard, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. A key test took place in mid-April under competitive conditions, when a test vehicle entered by Herberth Motorsport competed in the Michelin 12H Spa-Francorchamps on the Belgian Grand Prix circuit. Former Porsche Junior and reigning IMSA GTD Pro champion Laurin Heinrich, along with his German compatriots Ralf Bohn and Alfred Renauer, secured second place overall in the two-part race.

GT3R Evo: Techinal data

Weight/dimensions

• Base weight: ca. 1,265 kg (depending of BoP classification)
• Length: 4,619 mm
• Width: 2,039 mm (front axle) / 2,050 mm (rear axle)
• Wheelbase: 2,507 mm

Engine

• Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer, rear-mounted; capacity 4,194 cc, stroke 81.5
  mm, bore 104.5 mm; max rpm 9,250/min; power: ca. 416 kW (565 PS); fourvalve technology; single throttle butterfly system; direct fuel injection; engine
  control unit Bosch MS 6.6; dry sump lubrication with oil-water heat exchanger;
  single mass flywheel; race exhaust system with twin tailpipes and DMSB
  certified catalytic converter; fuel quality: Superplus unleaded to E25 (min. 98
  octane) and appropriate eFuels; Improved traction control including adjustable
  engine brake function

Transmission

Porsche six-speed sequential constant-mesh gearbox; shift paddles on the
steering wheel with electronic shift actuator; mechanical limited slip differential
with adjustable preload system unit; three-plate carbon race clutch; wear
optimized differential

Body

Lightweight body featuring intelligent aluminium-steel composite design;
mounting points for lifting device; removable rescue hatch in the roof; weldedin roll cage; six-bolt carbon racing seat pursuant to FIA 8862-2009; six-point
safety harness for use with HANS®; longitudinally adjustable pedal assembly
and adjustable steering column with steering angle senor; front cover with
integrated quick-release fasteners, cooler exit-air duct and central air intake
for cockpit ventilation; widened front bumper with spoiler lip; fenders with
extensions and additional louvres on top for improved front axle
aerodynamics;

Rear trim with integrated rain light in accordance with FIA;
doors, carbon-fibre rear lid and rear wing; rear wing with “swan neck” mounts
and 4 mm gurney flap; fully polycarbonate glazing with hard coating; heated
windscreen; four-post air jack system; valve mounting points on either side;
117-litre FT3 fuel cell in front of the car incl. modification parts for left-hand
side fueling; completely closed underfloor with additional mounting point for
rear underbody; side skirts including NACA-inlets for drive-shaft cooling

Front axle:

• Double wishbone front axle, adjustable ride height, camber and toe
• Electro-hydraulic power steering with additional fluid cooling for improving
  thermal behaviour of the power steering
• Improved kinematics to increase the anti-dive rate
  
• Rear axle:
• Multilink rear suspension, adjustable ride height, camber and toe
• Wheel hub with ceramic wheel bearings
• Racing driveshaft with tripod flanges; additional drive-shaft cooling on the
  upright side independent of brake cooling to improve wear; guiding pins to
  ease mounting
• Improved kinematics to increase anti-squat rate

Some more Technical data on https://racing.porsche.com/cars/911-gt3-r-2026