Porsche will give the new 991-model Porsche 911 GT3 R its race debut in January’s Daytona 24 Hours, running in the GT Daytona class of the Tudor United Sportscar series. The latest version of Weissach’s customer racer was unveiled to the press (below) at the Nurburgring on Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend’s 24-hour race.

Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser confirmed that while a 24-hour race wouldn’t have been his first choice for the car’s debut, but a late decision to use a new engine in the latest version of the car (instead of carrying over the existing engine as Mercedes has elected to with its new GT3).

The new car’s engine is based on the road-going 911 GT3’s 4.0-litre six-cylinder direct-injection unit. Aerodynamic efficiency and driver safety were both priorities and the new car features a roof hatch to aid the safe extraction of a driver in the event of an accident.

The radiator has been moved to a more central location to improve both aerodynamics and robustness, while the wheelbase has grown by 83mm. The revised engine is said to be both more driveable and more efficient than its predecessor and the car will carry a final price tag of 429,000 Euro plus local taxes.

Running costs have been reduced by 50%, at the request of customers, Porsche says, while first deliveries are expected in November or December. The company expects to sell between 20 and 30 cars in year one.

Stephen Errity

Images: Dan Bathie & Porsche