Production Years: 2016 | Generation: 991.1 | Units built: 991
Engine: 4.0-liter flat-six | Power: 500 bhp | 0 – 60 mph: 3.7 s | Top Speed: 200 mph
Porsche went dual-clutch only with the 991.1 generation 911 GT3 and GT3 RS which upset a lot of Porsche buyers. In true Porsche fashion, they made every kosher again by building the amazing 911 R with the GT3 RS’s engine and a perfect six-speed manual. Our perfect 911 (if we could afford the $400k+ used prices they fetch for these days).
The original Porsche 911 R was built specifically for motor racing in 1967. Making the car lightweight was an obsession with bumpers, fenders, windows and more all made from light plastic. This 911 R was powerful, extremely fast and way ahead of its rivals at the time.
In 2017, the Porsche 911 R came back and we’re very happy campers. Think of it as a manual GT3 RS and you’re pretty close. The limited-edition (991 units were made) is the perfect Porsche on paper with its 500 hp 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine, 6-speed GT sport manual transmission, exotic lightweight materials and lots of cool Porsche motorsports tech thrown in.
This isn’t the fastest 911. It is designed to be a sports car, something you can enjoy driving even if you’re not wringing its neck out or trying to break lap records. It is refreshing. As much as the current GT3 and GT3 RS are epic cars, they’re not much fun or approachable on real roads. The Porsche 911 R is much more than that. It is the kind of car you take when you want to hit some mountain passes or some back roads to let off some steam.
Flat-six naturally aspirated engine. Screw turbocharging, this is what engines should be like. Naturally, aspiration and large-volume flat-six engines will always have a place in our hearts. This masterpiece takes it to an even higher level. From its 4-liter displacement, it delivers 500 hp (specific output of 125 hp per liter). Maximum torque is 346 lb.-ft and it revs to a stratospheric 8,800 rpm.
6-speed GT sport manual transmission. A high-performance Porsche with a 6-speed manual gearbox. As if that wasn’t enough, the precise manual transmission also includes a cool rev-matching function. The focus of the box is not on shaving tenths of a second off lap times on the Nordschleife but on pure driving pleasure and unfiltered emotion. This is Porsche driving the way it used to be.
The chassis of the new 911 R is based on the 911 GT3 and provides extremely sporty day-to-day driving. The tuning is extremely direct, and the vehicle lies as low as the 911 GT3. All chassis control systems have been adapted to the manual transmission. The 911 R includes rear-axle steering, dynamic engine mounts, PASM, PSM, and Porsche Torque Vectoring.
