The naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six motor that powers the Porsche 911 GT3 in all probability isn’t very lengthy for this world in its present type. Talking with Autocar, Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger stated that in simply two 12 months’s time, the 502-horsepower motor that has powered the GT3 and different Porsche sports activities vehicles since 2018 would wish to both acquire turbochargers or some form of hybrid element to fulfill emissions requirements.
Proper now, it’s certainly one of solely two motors constructed by Porsche that doesn’t have a turbocharger or a hybrid component. Because it seems, the opposite motor is the 4.0-liter flat-six that’s discovered within the Cayman and Boxster GTS 4.0 fashions. Preuninger says the NA 4.0 goes away as a result of, in just a few years, it’s not going to have the ability to adjust to Euro 7 emission requirements that take impact in 2026. Perhaps meaning the motor will dwell on in its present type within the land of the free, but it surely’ll be a while earlier than we all know for positive.
Right here’s extra of what Preuninger advised Autocar, and why he’s not frightened about the GT3 shedding its naturally aspirated signature:
“It might dwell ceaselessly with out the legal guidelines coming,” he advised Autocar, referring to new Euro 7 requirements, efficient from 2026. “I don’t suppose we are able to deal with Euro 7 with out electrification or with out turbos. [As it stands] we are able to promote this automotive for one more two years, but it surely is dependent upon the markets.”
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One answer could be to modify the GT3 to a variation of the brand new hybrid system utilized by the 911 GTS. This attracts energy from a 3.6-litre turbocharged engine paired with a gearbox-mounted electrical motor to make 473bhp. Rivals from Lamborghini and Ferrari all now use turbocharged engines or hybrid set-ups.
Nevertheless, Preuninger advised the 2 vehicles have completely different use instances that require completely different powertrains. He stated: “For the GTS, this can be a nice [set-up]. In straight-line efficiency, it’s as quick as a GT3 and perhaps even faster off the road.
“However I couldn’t care much less: for a GT3, a straight is the connection between two curves. “The system itself is the best strategy to place electrification in a sports activities automotive, however there’s a motive we don’t use that on a GT3. We might have had to make use of the PDK II – the gearbox we’ve in the usual Carrera, which is greater than 20kg heavier than our ‘Sport’ PDK.”
It was apparently even a wrestle to maintain the present motor in compliance with Euro 6 laws. Preuninger talked about what engineers needed to do to make that motor work with right this moment’s legal guidelines and nonetheless produce over 500 horsepower. From Autocar:
“The brand new automotive is Euro 6 ‘AP’ [compliant, so with] a 3rd much less nitrous oxides, 40% much less particulate emissions – this was the largest problem, to maintain 9000rpm and the [same] energy, and to keep away from turbocharging and electrification, as a result of we all know that’s not what the shopper desires – and it provides weight to the automotive on the incorrect finish of the automotive, on the again.
“So we’d moderately minimize the ultimate drive ratio to make the automotive a bit extra energetic, as an alternative of constructing the automotive heavier and never puristic.”
He additionally hinted on the return of the 911 GT2 however stated the prototype that has been seen operating across the Nürburgring was only a idea automotive. He did say his “absolute interior want” is to construct a brand new GT2 RS, but it surely isn’t going to be round “within the subsequent couple of months,” Autocar studies.
As all the time, there’s lots to look ahead to at Porsche, and whereas some of us will bemoan the very fact the GT3 will lose its pure naturally aspirated goodness, a few turbos or a 48-volt hybrid system isn’t going to spell doom for the automotive.
