LA 2016: Porsche unleashes the 911 RSR Le Mans racecar

Porsche has just revealed their all-new endurance racecar that will compete at next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona. Called the 911 RSR, the newly-developed GT racer features a mid-mounted 4.0-liter flat-six that is lightweight, and carries the brand's latest powertrain tech.

According to the Stuttgart-based automaker, the 911 RSR has new components all-around. The suspension, body, aerodynamics, engine and transmissions were all designed from the ground up.

“While retaining the typical 911 design, this is the biggest evolution by now in the history of our top GT model,” said Dr. Frank Steffen Walliser, head of Porsche Motorsport.

As mentioned earlier, Porsche engineers were able to place the engine in front of the rear axle. Not only were they able to balance weight distribution, it also allowed engineers to place a large rear diffuser, along with a top-mounted rear wing adopted from the LMP1 racecar to improve downforce.

In addition, the 911 RSR has an all-carbon fiber body. The body panels can also be easily removed/replaced with the use of quick-release fasteners. Size-wise, the 911 RSR measures 4,557mm long (no wing, diffuser and splitter), 2,048mm wide (rear axle) and has a wheelbase of 2,516mm.

Over to its engine, the 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six is lightweight and benefits from direct injection and a rigid valve drive. Other details about the engine were not revealed but Porsche did mention it can deliver 510 PS, depending on the size of the air intake restrictor. It is then married to a 6-speed sequential gearbox that comes with a locking rear differential.

The front and rear suspensions, on the other hand, are comprised of double wishbones that come with four-way vibration damper, twin coil setup, anti-roll bars and adjustable by-blade positions. Stopping power is provided by 390mm ventilated steel discs at the front and smaller 355mm solid discs at the back. Both are clamped by one-piece aluminum racing calipers, with the front benefitting from six-pistons while the rear gets four-pistons.

Delivering grip is a set of Michelin slick racing tires while all corners get 18-inch one-piece forged alloy wheels.

Inside, the 911 RSR has a full FIA roll cage, along with a racing bukcet seat, race harnesses, a unique steering wheel with a multitude of controls and adjustable pedals.

For safety, the 911 RSR has the Collission Avoidance System. It uses a radar-based system which can warn drivers of fast-approaching vehicles. It is intended to alert drivers before changing lanes in case they have to overtake or avoid other cars.

The Porsche 911 RSR will make its racing debut at the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona on January 28.