A rather wet Weissach test track that requires a quick 45 minute drive from Zuffenhause in Germany gets you to Porsche Aktiengesellschaft’s (AG) very own test track the Stuttgart-based company uses to hone the handling attributes that come with every Porsche that our roads have been graced with, especially the new 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (type 991) – a racing version of the new 911 GT3.
Born in Flacht, a municipality in the district of Rhein-Lahn, Germany and home to Porsche Motorsport, the 911 GT3 Cup in mention is configured as a single-seater with Porsche touting this steel-aluminium hybrid constructed bad-boy as a ‘Precision Tool for Track Use’, weighing in at only 1,175kg, which means its an uncompromising vehicle that seems to have an innate ability to instantly turn on your magnanimous personality.
And especially so when it comes equipped with a water-cooled 3.8L flat-6 boxer engine that churns out 10 more horses than its predecessor at 460bhp at 7,500rpm before redlining at 8,500rpm. No mention of torque figures just yet for its NA (Naturally Aspirated) powerplant, which is coupled to a sequential 6-speed “dog-type” gearbox with steering wheel paddle shifters (a first for Porsche).
However, though previous versions used a lever-operated sequential gearbox, there’s still the existence of three pedals; requiring you to balance the clutch on take-off and then placing your concentration on using the paddles thereafter.
The new paddle-shift equipped gearbox delivers power to a set of 18″ strengthened aluminium rims that have been widened by 10mm for the rear at 310mm, while the front gets widened by 20mm at 270mm. They now house the upgraded 380mm x 32mm slotted and vented steel discs brakes with a six-piston aluminium monobloc callipers up front while 380mm x 30mm slotted with internal cooling steel disc brakes and a four-piston aluminium monobloc callipers are found at the rear for stopping power.
The new 911 GT3 Cup also gets outfitted as standard with a mechanical slip differential, rescue roof hatch, welded-in Roll Cage, 2-mount rescue device, ram air-intakes, optimised aerodynamics, 100L FT3 safety tank, 3-piston pneumatic lifting system, adjustable safety seat, high performance racing shock absorbers – adjustable double strut stabilizers, forged links with optimised stiffness, reinforced racing wheel hubs and a long bench for a rear spoiler.
With all that installed, it seems that the 911 GT3 Cup is now easier to handle at the limits with plenty of fun; so said Porsche works driver, Timo Bernhard and according to Porsche Motorsport, the monstrosity can be had exclusively in white with a price tag that’ll set you back some 181,200 euros (not including taxes). That’s around the RM730,000 mark at current exchange rates.
