8 reasons why car geeks will love Porsche's newest sports car

Porsche 911R f
Porsche

If anyone knows what car people want, it's Porsche. Its new 911R is a perfect example of that.

Advertisement

From the outside, it might look pretty much like your standard 911, but trust me, it's a bit more than just that.

I'll explain.

These are the 8 reasons why car lovers are in awe over the new 911R.

Advertisement

Its high-performance motor gets it going really fast.

Porsche 911R
Porsche

Thanks to the 911R's 500 horsepower motor, the same one that's used in the GT3RS, the car is capable of doing zero to 60 miles per hour in a quick 3.7 seconds.

Advertisement

A manual transmission is the only option.

Porsche 911R
Porsche AG/Vimeo

Putting the manual Cayman GT4 aside, car enthusiasts have been shaking fists at Porsche for selling the highly-coveted 911 GT3 and 911 GT3RS with an automatic transmission as the only option.

It's not that the PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission that Porsche used in the GT3 and GT3RS is a bad transmission. In fact, it's one of the best automatics on the market. 

But for car people, there's just nothing like rowing your own gears. They feel that shifting their own gears and matching revs between shifts allows for a more connected and invigorating driving experience, which I'd happen to agree with.

Now, the 911R is here, with what is probably an amazing 6-speed manual transmission. 

Good call, Porsche.

Advertisement

Its aerodynamics.

Porsche 911r rear
Porsche

You'd probably think that because Porsche left off the GT3 and GT3RS style spoilers that the 911R wouldn't have the aero to hold itself down at high speed. Thankfully, it does.

Similar to the lower trim Carrera models, the 911R has an auto-raising electric spoiler that is mounted right above engine cover in the rear of the car. Porsche also added a more aggressive lower diffuser underneath the rear of the car to make up for any additional lost aero.

 

Advertisement

Its heritage dates back almost 50 years.

Porsche 911R
Ben Garrett/Flickr

The 1967 Porsche 911R was an extremely stripped-down 911 built primarily for racing purposes. Only 20 cars were built by Porsche and the car has since lived on as one of the most iconic racing 911s to come out of the '60s. 

The new 911R isn't exactly a full on race car, but it does encompass almost everything the original 911R was about.

That's an awesome feeling to have when piloting a modern sports car.

Advertisement

Its interior is a perfect mix of history and performance.

Porsche 911R cockpit
Porsche

Gauges rounded with numbers brightly-lit in blue? A pattern on top gear selector? Tartan-patterned seats? Are we sure this isn't the 1967 car's interior?

Just kidding.

With only 991 911Rs being made, it's really rare.

Porsche 911R Stripesq
Porsche

Which probably means that after purchase, values will skyrocket and these things will almost instantly become classics. 

Advertisement

It's light.

911R
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

Like its inspiration, the original 911R, weight has been dropped from all around the car to make it quicker and even more nimble. 

To achieve a lower weight, some body panels were switched out for lighter ones and some heavy and not-so necessary parts were left off as options.  

Advertisement

It sounds amazing.

The new Porsche 911 R from Porsche AG on Vimeo.

 

Cars Transportation
Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.