GENEVA: Purists will be happy to hear about the new Porsche 911 R, a sports car with a naturally aspirated engine and manual transmission.
Unveiled today at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, the new Porsche 911 R is a pure-bred sports car built to conform to a time-honoured formula; a powerful 500hp four-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine driving the rear wheels, a six-speed manual transmission, and a lightweight body. It is also limited to just 991 examples worldwide.
These characteristics place the 911 R firmly in the tradition of its historic namesake: a road-homologated racing car from 1967. Produced as part of a limited production series, the original 911 R was campaigned in iconic road races of the period, such as the Tour de France and Targa Florio, and also in world record runs.
This special model has an overall weight of 1,370 kilograms and is thus the lightest version of the 911.
In the rear of the 911 R lies the charismatic flat-six 'boxer' engine with a displacement of four-litres, familiar from the 911 GT3 RS. The race-bred engine delivers 500 hp at 8,250 rpm and generates 460 Nm at 6,250 rpm.
From a standing start, 0-100kph is possible in 3.7 seconds. In keeping with the pure character of the 911 R, it is available exclusively with a six-speed manual sports transmission. The short gearshift travel emphasises the interactive driving experience. The forward thrust of the 911 R continues to a potential top speed of 323kph, and Combined NEDC fuel consumption is 13.3 l/100 km.
Fitted as standard with specially-tuned rear-axle steering, direct turn-in and precise handling is guaranteed while maintaining high stability. In addition, the mechanical rear limited slip differential ensures maximum traction.
Ensuring the greatest possible deceleration are Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), also fitted as standard. The discs measure a generous 410 mm diameter on the front axle and 390 mm on the rear. Ultra High Performance Tyres of 245 mm width at the front and 305 mm width at the rear provide assured contact to the road. These are mounted on lightweight, forged aluminium wheels with centre-locking and matt-finish.
Motorsport development has adapted the control systems of the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) for the 911 R, tailoring the car for a focused driving experience. An optional single-mass flywheel for the engine is one example of this, resulting in a significant improvement in spontaneity and high-rev responsiveness of the engine. A double-declutch function - activated by pressing a button - for perfect gearshifts when changing down is also part of the repertoire of the 911 R.
For broad everyday versatility, a lift system can also be ordered: it raises ground clearance of the front axle by about 30 mm at the touch of a button.
With an overall weight of 1,370 kg, the 911 R undercuts the 911 GT3 RS by 50 kg. The bonnet and front wheel-arches are made of carbon fibre and the roof is magnesium, which reduces the centre of gravity. Rear windscreen and rear side windows are lightweight plastic. Additional weight-saving factors are the reduced sound insulation in the interior and the omission of a rear bench seat.
The optional air conditioning system and the audio system also hint at the intense slimming regime.
At first sight, the body resembles that of the Carrera. The nose and rear body will be familiar from the 911 GT3, and hint at the birthplace of the 911 R: namely the motorsport department in Flacht.
All the lightweight components of the body and the complete chassis originate from the 911 GT3. However, with a view to road use, the body does not have the fixed rear wing familiar with that model. Instead, a retractable rear spoiler shared with the Carrera models and a bespoke aerodynamic diffuser beneath the rear underbody provides the necessary downforce.
The front and rear apron come from the 911 GT3, with a re-designed spoiler lip installed on the front. The sports exhaust system consists of the lightweight construction material titanium.
Continuous coloured stripes in red or green over the entire mid-section of the vehicle provide a visual cue to the legendary predecessor. A further leitmotif is provided by the 'Porsche' script along each side of the vehicle.
The driver and front passenger sit in a carbon-fibre bucket seat, trimmed with bespoke fabric centre panels in Pepita tartan design, a nod to the first 911 in the 1960s. Fabric pull straps on each door are a familiar hint to the focused intent of all 911 models from the GT department.
Ahead of the driver sits an R-specific 360 mm diameter GT sport steering wheel, and a short shift gearlever - not to mention the obvious clutch pedal in the footwell - contribute to the specific interior ambience. And underlining the special nature of this limited production model, carbon trim strips in the interior with an embedded aluminum badge on the passenger's side indicate the limited number of each 911 R.
The 911 R is available to order from today, with deliveries by mid-year.
