Meet Porsche’s Greener, Faster, Wilder New Track-bred 2021 911 GT3 Cup Racer
Stronger, nimbler and quicker, Porsche’s new 2021 911 GT3 RS Cup spews less carbon through during a race, too.
Porsche has been teasing us for a while with wild winged prototypes of this car circulating the Nürburgring at race pace. It seems the real thing is worth the wait. Meet the new 2021 911 GT3 RS Cup, locked, loaded and ready to destroy many a driver’s record laps the world over.
Stuttgart promises that the new GT3 Cup will be ‘a good percent’ faster than its predecessor around a racetrack, courtesy of a power hike, improved aero and chassis tweaks, among other highlights.
510 hp 2021 GT3 RS Cup is Ready to Race
The new track weapon pre-dates the road-going roadgoing GT3 due out early next year and retains the previous generation’s 4-litre naturally aspirated dry sump boxer six. The 2021 machine however gains 25 hp to deliver 510 hp at a heady 8400 rpm. Torque remains at 347 lb-ft. The street GT3 RS will have the same engine and output. Albeit re-tuned for and adequately hushed for road use, when it comes.
GT3 Cup will be released earlier to allow teams to have the first racing version of the 992-generation 911 ready to race in the Mobil 1 Supercup and other Porsche Carrera Cup series around the world. Porsche has not yet made any performance claims for the newcomer, but we’d but expect the GT3 Cup to improve upon the previous GT3 road car’s 3.4 second 0-60 mph time.
Synthetic Fuel-Prepared to Save on Racing CO2
A novel point of difference is that the ’21 RS Cup is synthetic fuel ready. Porsche claims the car will enjoy significantly reduce CO2 emissions through a race when so fueled. The racer’s engine should be maintenance checked after every 100 hours of track time. The six-speed sequential gearbox requires a minor inspection every 60 hours.
Besides that significantly larger rear wing and aerodynamically improved front splitter, the new RS Cup also uses 911 Turbo’s wide-body shell for the first time. Now comprising 70% aluminum and 30% steel, rather than the other way around. So it’s 1.1 inches wider than before and has an additional pair of cooling vents ahead of the rear wheels. Its heavier though — the 2777 lb racer gains 77 pounds thanks to additional stressed members to improve rigidity.
2021 GT3 RS Cup Even has Better Ergonomics for the Race Driver!
New Uniball bearing double-wishbone front suspension promises sharper turn-in and wheel feedback. Improved shock absorber valve technology loses the previous need for an hydraulic pump to operate.
Porsche has also responded to driver feedback to make the seat height adjustable. The steering wheel button layout has been simplified, the 10.3 in color display improved. And a new rotary control knob added to adjust brake balance. The control units and data loggers have also been relocated. To allow for easier fitment of a passenger seat, if so required.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Cup customer deliveries begin in February, starting at $275,000 free on board.