Porsche has officially introduced the new 911 GT4 R, marking a major shift in its customer racing strategy. For the first time, Porsche is moving its GT4 racing program from the Cayman platform to the iconic 911, creating a new entry point for teams and drivers who want to compete in global GT4 championships. Priced at $375,500 in the United States, the new race car will begin competing in 2027.
New Porsche 911 GT4 R brings the 911 into GT4 racing
Since 2016, Porsche has relied on the Cayman platform for GT4 competition, building more than 1,500 Cayman-based race cars over the past decade. The new 911 GT4 R changes that formula by bringing Porsche’s most famous sports car platform into the GT4 category.
The move is not only symbolic but also strategic. Porsche wants to simplify the transition between its one-make racing series and open GT4 competition. By basing the GT4 R on the 911 platform, drivers can move more naturally from Porsche Cup racing into wider customer motorsport programs.
Technical specs: race engine from the 911 Cup
The Porsche 911 GT4 R uses a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine derived from the 911 Cup race car. It produces 512 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox and paddle shifters.
Key technical highlights include:
- 4.0-liter flat-six racing engine
- 512 hp
- 362 lb-ft of torque
- Six-speed sequential transmission
- Paddle shifters
- Rear wing with 11 adjustment positions
- Three selectable spring rates
- Dual-adjustable dampers
- 10.3-inch color display
- Integrated data logger
- GPS system
Although the GT4 R shares its technical foundation with the 911 Cup, Porsche made several changes to fit GT4 racing requirements. The wheels are one inch narrower than the Cup car’s wheels and use a five-bolt mounting pattern instead of the center-lock design.
Why this matters for Porsche Motorsport
The 911 GT4 R is important because it gives Porsche a more unified motorsport ladder. Teams and drivers can start in Porsche one-make racing and then move into GT4 competition while staying on a shared 911-based platform.
Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, said the expansion of the 911 platform into GT4 will make the transition from Porsche one-make racing to open competition easier for drivers and teams.
This also comes at a significant moment for Porsche’s sports car lineup. With the combustion-powered Cayman and Boxster era coming to an end, the 911 becomes the natural replacement for Porsche’s future GT4 racing efforts.