2017 Porsche GTE

It has been reported in several magazines, that next year Porsche GTE, which is already testing, will have a central engine instead of the traditional rear engine layout.

Interestingly, with Porsche having no production 911 GT3 central engine, the ACO would have given an exemption allowing the Stuttgart firm to relocate the unit.

It's not a small feat to relocate an engine from rear to central position without altering the appearance of the car, but Porsche seems to have managed that. Large cooling air intakes on the flanks, just before the rear wheels give the game away.

Although Porsche said that the engine would still be atmospheric, there are signs that they are working on a turbo unit too, maybe introduced later.

The central location of the engine should make the Porsche more competitive against the Ferrari and Ford GT next year.

 

Another waiver....
What's next? BMW i8 GT2 with a V6/V8

GTE becoming GT1?

 

That wouldn't be all that different from Ford's "We haven't built the road going GT40's yet, but if you let us race this year, we promise we will build them."

That's the problem with making exceptions. Once you start...

 

+1

Yes, the Ford exemption created an embarrassing precedent.

Since Porsche is one of the only 2 contenders left in LMP1, it makes sense for the ACO not to antagonise them and to grant an exemption for the GTE racer.

I expect a mid-engine 911 will be able to fend the Ferrari and Ford next year.

 

it basically already is.

 

Correct ACO needs Porsche...and BMW soon
Cost cut for lmp1 is next so Peugeot will be back in.

 

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2W40p8vi6U[/ame]

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI2-YYragzY[/ame]

 

Isn't a mid-engine Porsche already known as a Cayman? The videos look more like a wide-body Cayman than a 911.

 

This really isn't all that different. Think back to the Grand-Am days where you had a tube frame 3 rotor Mazda RX-8. What part of that car had anything to do with a production car? I think it actually had the same tube chassis as the BMW M6 that Turner ran at the time.

 

The M6 and RX-8 chassis were built by Riley Technologies. Pratt & Miller built the Pontiac GTOs which were reskinned as G6 GXPs IIRC.

 

Meet your new 24H Le Mans winner in GT catergory 2017, a prototype, single seat, 510 hp
Porsche Reveals Mid-Engined 911 RSR - Sportscar365

 

ridiculous...

 

It is ridiculous yes
A prototype!
This will lead to GT1

 

Why they bother in building a prototype? That´s what BOP was made for.

 

I really like it and i'm curious to see how it will go against the Ferrari and Ford. A mid-engined RSR sounds very interesting. The body design is great too. The only thing that i don't like is the rear wing mountings and the way it was placed..

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9EwbWbqZiI[/ame]

 

In your opinion, is this a good thing?

I liked the GT1 racing era. I also liked the 911 GT1 when it came out.

 

No dont think so
I do not understand why the fia/aco allowes Ford with their prototype and now porsche, again with a prototype.
Maybe Ferrari needs to build a prototype too, 488 based but non standard base engine, a prototype engine and carbon light weight tub.
As said before, what is next? Mid-engine Aston Martin Vantage GTE??

Pay the ACO and your car will get a waiver for WEC

 

Agree 100%.

 

Why is there no protest by Corvette, Ferrari and Aston?
Or do they have some privileges too?
Is the engine further back and lower in the car? Are sub-frames non street type?
Is the engine standard road but modified or prototype and thus not based on a street car engine?

 

"From the LMGTE Regulations.
Location: Defined relative to longitudinal centreline of the car, the middle of the wheelbase on the longitudinal centreline of the car, the engine compartment, the cockpit, the
luggage compartment.

And from the regulations regarding the engine's location, position, and orientation.
Location : As original.
Position : Free.
Orientation : Free, but the engine must remain longitudinal (or transverse) if originally
longitudinal (or transverse).

The shorthand is that per the ACO regulations, only front (Aston Martin, Corvette) and rear (911, 488 GT) engined cars exist. You still have to have the car's engine fore or aft of the wheelbase centerline if it was that way on the road car, and the engine still has to be longitudinal or transverse the way it was on the road car, but from there, you can have the engine anywhere you want"

 

They won't pay the ACO.
I hope Ferrari do not build a prototype to compete in GTE.
Because eventually you find that it will get beaten by a Kia GT or a Hyundai GT or a Ssangyong GT. Go figure how that will figure in Maranello's marketing plan.
I hope it encourages an LMP project... but I think I'm a guy that wishes for the good old days that will never return.
All this will really do is cause a withdrawal at worst.... a participation in a lesser series at best.
Just my 5 cents....

 

Exactly, for revenge Fiat should enter a prototype Panda 4x4 instead and show how it can compete against other sports cars

Or Max an alfa 4c instead of a full blown Ferrari

 

Interestingly, Porsche claims they acted within the regulations and didn't receive an exemption!!

I think switching from a rear engine location to a mid engine layout is stretching it a bit too far. Somebody is taking the p**s here ...

 

Ferrari doesn't need to build a new car, untie the beast from the silly BoP and the 488GTE will be way ahead...

 

Yep, the 488GTE is the best car of the field, but badly handicapped by the BOP.

In performances, dynamic and design, it's way ahead of a Corvette, an Aston or a Porsche 911. Only the Ford GT could rival it, and it's not a "proper" GT in my book but a proto allowed by the ACO.