As part of the recent V1.9 update for Assetto Corsa Competizione, fans of the flat-six were greeted with Stuttgart’s newest offering. The Porsche 911 is iconic for petrolheads and racing fans everywhere, so it’s only fitting that sim racers get to enjoy the newest generation in their title. Welcome to the Porsche 992 GT3 R.
Introducing the Porsche 992 GT3 R
The newest in the long line of Porsche GT cars, the 992 GT3 R recently made its long-awaited competition debut alongside new entries from the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. In fact, we have already taken a dive Under the Hood of the Ferrari 296 here at Coach Dave Academy.
What stands out with the Porsche is the same thing that makes any Porsche a hallmark of GT racing. The iconic shape and the roar of the flat-six engine, usually right at the back of the car, which as we get into this article, creates some unique challenges when it comes to understanding the car.
If you’d like to get a headstart on the cars from the V1.9 update for ACC, be sure to check out our setup subscription which includes setup bundles for all three of the new cars!
The basic car characteristics
The main thing that sets the Porsche apart from the other cars in ACC is its engine placement. Where some cars have it in the front, and others in the middle, the Porsche is the only one to have it right at the back of the car. This provides a unique experience as well as unique challenges and obstacles as a result.
The other things that are recognisable are the iconic flat-six scream and those beautiful curves. Those are quintessential Porsche and something that will be vividly in the minds of petrolheads everywhere.
Convinced that the Porsche is the right car for you? Then check out our setup bundle for the Porsche 992 GT3 R, which will be updated to keep you up to speed whenever the next update drops!
Steering and Cornering
The first unique challenge comes with the car’s handling. With the heavy engine mounted behind the rear axle, this car isn’t the same as your front-engined “throw it into the corner” machine. If you try to drive it like the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT3, for example, you’ll be backwards before you ever see the apex of the corner.
The best way to get to grips with the Porsche is to brake early and apply some throttle through the corner, however, this must be done sensibly and in a measured manner. The traction control will cut in to fight the on-throttle oversteer, whilst the power being applied prevents you from picking up any issues with the off-throttle oversteer.
However, the Porsche does have more on-throttle understeer than you may notice in many other cars in ACC, which is something to keep in mind on corner exits as you could find yourself drifting out wide.
Don’t apply too much steering lock, and let the natural strengths of the rear-mounted engine help you turn in and through the corner on entry.
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Aerodynamics and Bodywork
The 992’s aerodynamics and bodywork reward delicate driving and smooth inputs. Much like its predecessors – the 991 and 991.2 – the 992 GT3 R has phenomenal launch and acceleration. However, in addition to this, the 992 also has a good straight-line speed.
This means that, whilst carrying speed through the corner is still the best way to make the most of the car, it’s not as much of a hurdle to get the car back up to speed once you’re clear of the corner.
Want to know how the pros handle it? Check out our YouTube channels, which include live setup sessions as well as hotlaps with our newest setups. We recommend our hotlap of Valencia with the Porsche 992 GT3 R, featuring the car from this very article on the newest track in the sim!
Power Delivery and Braking
The Porsche has a phenomenal launch, there’s no two ways about that. But it’s also amazingly efficient on the brakes, as long as you’re sensible under braking. That means you don’t stomp on the brakes while you’re turning, as that will cause the back of the car to step out and try its best to put you into a spin – you will notice that the 992 GT3 R does feel slightly trickier compared to its predecessor on the brakes if you’re putting down too much pressure.
If that sounds tricky, it’s not to worry! You can get hints and tips from the pros through our Coaching service, which has helped pros from the sim to the circuit to refine their skills and correct little issues that they didn’t even know that they had!
Final thoughts
The Porsche 992 GT3 R is deservedly up at the sharp end of ACC’s pecking order. Long-standing fans of the Stuttgart brand are definitely elated by the newest offering, and it’s a car that’s easy to fall in love with if you’re new to sim racing too.
