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LMU Porsche 911 GT3 R Guide – The Inside Line

The Porsche gets a lot of love in Le Mans Ultimate, but is it the right car for you?

The Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 is based on the recent addition to the Porsche sports car family, the 992 variant 911 GT3 R. The car was slightly modified to comply with the latest LMGT3 World Endurance Championship class. The LMGT3 class is similar to ordinary GT3 machinery but has a few changes by FIA WEC, such as torque sensor, aero tweaks, Goodyear tyres and position lights.

Porsche is its Own Unique Car

Porsche is powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six engine located at the rear. The rear-engine layout remains the core of the 911 GT3 R’s character. Unlike other GT3 cars in Le Mans Ultimate, which are either front-engine (BMW, Aston Martin, Ford) or mid-engine (Ferrari, Corvette, McLaren), Porsche provides strong traction on corner exits thanks to engine weight over rear wheels.

This 911 GT3 R is ideal for intermediate to advanced sim racers who can appreciate the character of this car and manage the precise steering and throttle control required for fast lap times.

For some practical tips, check out this lap guide in the Porsche 911 GT3R at Sebring by Gregor Schill on the Coach Dave Academy YouTube channel:

Car Specifications & Key Features

The Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 is powered by a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine that produces up to 565 horsepower. The car can reach a top speed of 290 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. Porsche weighs 1,317 kg without the balance of performance (BoP) adjustments, which is lighter than other LMGT3 cars.

Le Mans Ultimate replicates Porsche’s key real-world features, including rear-engine balance and weight distribution. Additionally, the sim accurately models setup options that make the 911 GT3 R a formidable machine on the track. 

For example, you get two-stage traction control (TC), split into TC slip angle (which specifies how much wheel slip is allowed before electronics restrict engine power delivery) and TC power cut (which determines how much to cut the engine power at the slipping threshold specified by the TC slip angle).

Handling & Performance on Track

The Porsche 911 GT3 R’s rear-engine layout offers a unique driving style. Compared to front-engine GT3 cars, it requires a more measured approach when entering corners, as overcommitting on the throttle can unsettle the rear. The car does not respond well to abrupt adjustments at any stage of cornering and rewards a controlled, steady approach, especially when braking and turning in.

This behaviour is also evident in slower corners, where the heavy rear end reduces the load on the front tyres. If the car isn’t properly settled and rotated before opening the throttle on the exit, understeer will compromise the corner.

Porsche’s top speed is not great, at least under the current BoP. In particular, Porsche struggles to make moves in slipstream trains because of that. 

LMU Setups

Gain seconds in lap time with our incredible Le Mans Ultimate setups developed by professional sim racers and qualified engineers.

Best Tracks for Porsche 911 GT3 R in Le Mans Ultimate

The success of real motorsport teams in the 2024 WEC and IMSA seasons proves that Porsche is a well-balanced and competitive machine on most tracks with the right setup and driving style. 

For example, the Manthey team was consistently fast with the Porsche 911 GT3 R throughout the 2024 WEC season. The #92 car won in Qatar and Interlagos and achieved multiple podium finishes. This performance helped win the LMGT3 class championship, with their teammates in the #91 car finishing as runners-up.

Similarly, the AO Racing team made an impact with the Porsche 911 GT3 R in the 2024 IMSA championship. The team secured GTD Pro victories at Laguna Seca, Detroit and Indianapolis, complemented by a podium finish at Mosport. AO Racing won the title in the GTD Pro category and outperformed several factory teams.

Setups for Optimal Performance

Extracting the most from the Porsche 911 GT3 R couldn’t be easier with Coach Dave Academy’s Porsche Setup Bundle. As the official partner for Le Mans Ultimate, Coach Dave Academy provides qualifying, safe race and pro race setups with telemetry data so you can see how our pro drivers extract the time.

How It Compares to Other Cars in the Class

Relative to main competitors in the GT3 class, Porsche offers superior turn-in response and mid-corner rotation but requires more driver finesse in low-speed sections. Unlike the front-engined BMW, which is more forgiving, the 911 GT3 R’s weight balance requires skilled management of weight transfer.

Porsche performs well in qualifying but has an issue with rear tyre wear during longer stints. The car is initially strong but becomes difficult to manage later in the stint. The grip deteriorates after four to five laps when rear tyres overheat above 90°C. Long stints are mostly manageable with high wing.

Final Verdict: Is the Porsche 911 GT3 R the Right Choice for You?

The Porsche 911 GT3 R is a rewarding but demanding car that will excel in the hands of drivers who can handle its unique rear-engine balance.

ProsCons
Fast in qualifying and over short stintsA unique car, difficult to switch from or to front- and mid-engine GT3s
Exceptional mid-corner rotationHigh rear tyre wear, requires management over full stints
Great traction under acceleration with fresh rear tyresBalance changes significantly with tyre deg and fuel load
Poor top speed

Overall, the Porsche is not the easiest GT3 car to master and is better suited for experienced drivers. Due to its rear-engine layout, it demands careful throttle management and smooth inputs to extract maximum performance. While it offers excellent rotation and traction, the driving style required for Porsche may not suit everyone.

Wrapping Up

The Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 stands out as a unique car in Le Mans Ultimate and delivers an authentic Porsche racing experience. You will be rewarded with good results if you commit to learning this special rear-engine GT3.

Looking for more Le Mans Ultimate car reviews? Check out our other in-depth analyses, like this guide for the Ford Mustang GT3 in Le Mans Ultimate.

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