Porsche has presented their new 911 RSR car, which will be used in the FIA World E2ndurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the three upcoming seasons.
By stating that, Porsche has confirmed that they will do FIA WEC at least until the end of the 2021/22 season.
Even though the car has got the same model name as its predecessor, 95% of the car is brand new. Headlights, braking system, clutch, drivers seat and some components in the suspension are the only things being carried over.
Photo: Porsche Motorsport
A new engine has been developed for the car, but in contrary to all the rumours this spring – and all kinds of spy videos – they will stick to a six cylinder boxer engine WITHOUT turbo. There is a change to the engine capacity goes up to 4194cc, and will be the most powerful RSR engine in the history. But like always, they won’t be allowed to use all that horsepower, since an air restrictor will have to be put on the car, to balance it against the opposition.
But there is a change in the exhaust system, which will now exit in front of the rear wheels, and not backwards like previously known from Porsche cars. Weight and room will be saved by doing it like that, continuing down the road from the 2017 model, where the engine was moved ahead of the gearbox. This will give a slightly different sound from the engine, but with them sticking to a normal aspirated engine, is a very positive thing regarding the sound from the car. Another positive thing regarding the repositioning of the exhaust, is that they will have more room in the back of the car, make the already complicated diffuser even more effective, giving the car more of “free” downforce at the rear, without adding more rear wing.
Photo: Porsche Motorsport
Porsche are the defending World Champions in both FIA WEC as a constructor, as well as with Michael Christensen and Kevin Estre amongst the drivers. All four drivers have been re-elected for the programme, so Christensen and Estre will continue in #92, while Richard Lietz and Gianmaria Bruni stick to #91.
The two cars will have two different designs. Both will have the base colours of white, red and grey again, but only the red stripe will be common on both cars. #91 will have primarily white front and roof, with grey on the sides – the grey and white colours will be swapped on #92.
The car was revealed to the public today at the Goodwood festival in England, and will be on-track with direct competitors during the FIA World Endurance Championship Prologue at Circuit de Catalunya in Spain, in just over two weeks’ time. The IMSA debut will be at the Daytona 24 Hours in January 2020.
