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Porsche is celebrating 25 years of the GT3 by unveiling the 2025 911 GT3, the latest iteration of its iconic sports car. This updated 992.2 model retains the hallmark features that have made the GT3 so revered, including its naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine that produces 502hp and revs to 9,000 rpm. Remarkably, it remains purely powered by internal combustion despite stringent emissions regulations, incorporating two gas-particulate filters and four catalytic converters to meet modern standards.

To maintain its performance edge, the GT3 has received several mechanical upgrades, including hotter camshafts from the GT3 RS, new throttle bodies, revised cylinder heads, and new oil coolers. For those who enjoy the manual experience, the 6-speed manual transmission now has a shorter final drive, addressing complaints about the long gearing in previous manual 911s. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is also available.

Enhanced Aerodynamics and Suspension

Borrowing some aerodynamic lessons from the GT3 RS, the front suspension now features suspension links with an aerofoil shape, improving both downforce and brake cooling. The lower mounting point for the front wishbone helps reduce dive under braking, while the new headlight design allows for larger aerodynamic inlets. At the rear, updates to the diffuser and engine cover help balance the front downforce improvements.

Performance Tyres and Wheels

The 255/35ZR20 front tyres and 315/30ZR21 rear tires enhance performance, particularly in wet conditions, with a track-focused, stickier tire option available. The new standard wheels shave off 1.4kg of unsprung weight, contributing to overall performance gains.

Weissach and Touring Packages

The Weissach Package, previously exclusive to Porsche’s RS models, is now available for the GT3. This includes carbon-fibre components such as the roof, anti-roll bars, and mirror caps, as well as the option for lighter magnesium wheels.

Touring

Simultaneously, Porsche has also launched the GT3 Touring Package, which removes the rear wing for a more understated appearance. It includes a Leichtbau (lightweight) package, featuring carbon-fibre suspension components, a body-colour carbon-fibre roof, and magnesium wheels.

Interior and Features

Inside, the GT3 shares many updates with the new 911 Carrera but keeps its ignition switch instead of the newer push-button start. New carbon-fibre bucket seats with folding backrests and optional heating are available, and for the first time, the GT3 Touring can be equipped with rear seats.

Touring

At its lightest, the 2025 GT3 weighs 1,419kg, impressively lean for a modern performance car.

The new 911 GT3 continues Porsche’s legacy of building thrilling, track-focused sports cars, and while it’s an evolution rather than a revolution, it’s a fitting tribute to 25 years of one of the most desirable 911 models.

911 GT3

911 GT3 (Touring)

Mercedes-AMG is marking a significant milestone in motorsport history this year by celebrating 130 years of racing excellence under the iconic three-pointed star. The celebration pays tribute to the first-ever automotive competition, held on July 22, 1894, from Paris to Rouen, where a Daimler-licensed engine claimed victory.

To commemorate this anniversary, Mercedes-AMG introduced the highly exclusive GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport, which debuted at the Automotive Week in Pebble Beach, California. This limited-edition car, created under the theme “Racing Legend Remastered,” bridges two legendary eras of motorsport by blending cutting-edge racing technology with the timeless design of 1950s racing cars. With a potent engine, this non-homologated model is the most powerful GT3 vehicle ever produced in Affalterbach, and it stands as the final GT3 version to feature a naturally aspirated engine. Only 13 units of this collector’s item will be available worldwide.

Performance and Aerodynamics: Advanced Features

The Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport goes beyond the standard homologation requirements, allowing the iconic 6.3-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine to be further refined. Without the constraints of an air restrictor and equipped with a specialised exhaust system, the engine now produces an impressive 680hp. The car’s aerodynamics have also been enhanced, resulting in a 15% increase in downforce compared to the base GT3 model. This improvement comes from a redesigned front splitter, new air outlets in the front wings, modified side skirts, an upgraded underfloor, and a re-engineered rear diffuser.

A wider rear wing, combined with the innovative Drag Reduction System (DRS) inspired by Formula 1® and DTM Class 1, allows the car to achieve top speeds exceeding 315km/h. This system adjusts the main rear wing element to reduce drag at the touch of a button, with active front-floor elements ensuring the aero balance is maintained. The braking system, featuring carbon brake discs, further contributes to weight reduction and performance, making the Edition 130Y Motorsport model lighter and more agile than its homologated counterparts.

Power delivery is managed through a sequential six-speed racing transmission with modified gear ratios, while the transaxle transmission is mounted on the rear axle for enhanced stability. Fully adjustable 4-way motorsport shock absorbers and advanced safety features, including a carbon fibre safety cell, five-point harness, steel roll cage, and a comprehensive fire extinguishing system, round out the vehicle’s high-performance package.

Track Record: Setting New Standards

After two years of meticulous development and rigorous testing, Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Jules Gounon showcased the exceptional capabilities of the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia on February 17, 2024. Driving a prototype, Gounon shattered the GT car lap record by an impressive 2.074 seconds, clocking in at 1 minute and 56.605 seconds on the 6.213km circuit.

Design: A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

Drawing inspiration from the legendary 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W 194 racing sports car, the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport features a design that honours the past while embracing the future. The special edition boasts a unique silver paint finish reminiscent of the iconic Silver Arrows, with blue rhombuses on the front wings and a colour-accented radiator grille harkening back to historic racing victories.

The car is equipped with lightweight 18-inch magnesium rims and extensively incorporates carbon fiber elements, blending classic design cues with modern racing technology. Inside, the connection between tradition and innovation continues, with the interior drawing aesthetic inspiration from the 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR 300 models. This is evident in the blue checkered seat upholstery and brown leather headrests and door loops, while advanced technologies like the Bosch DDU 10 cockpit display enhance driver control and experience.

Exclusivity: A Complete Package for Collectors

Each of the 13 GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport models comes with an extensive and bespoke delivery package. This includes a specially designed vehicle cover, a full set of personalised racing gear co-created with Mercedes-AMG’s official partner PUMA, and a custom helmet from BELL. Additionally, buyers receive a stylish bag matching the car’s seat cover design and a 1:8 scale model of the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport. To certify the vehicle’s authenticity, an exclusive, personalized certificate is included, further cementing its status as a prized collector’s item.

Rennsport Reunion 7, a significant event celebrating Porsche’s racing heritage, is currently taking place in California. To mark this occasion, Porsche has unveiled a special and extraordinary automobile – the Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport.

This model, while not street-legal or compliant with GT3 competition standards, is a, well we call it a monster and remarkable machine designed for the track.

The 911 GT3 R Rennsport is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre flat-six engine, borrowed from the GT3 race car. However, it’s not built to GT3-class specifications, allowing it to produce a formidable 611hp. The engine is tuned to run E25 fuel and features bespoke pistons, camshafts, and a higher compression ratio. It’s a powerhouse capable of reaching an impressive 9,400 RPM.

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Chevrolet and Corvette Racing have a brand new GT3 racing car for customer teams to run in 2024. Although its competition debut is a year away, Chevrolet recently displayed the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R, its first racing car that fully meets FIA GT3 technical regulations.

Designed and developed as a collaborative effort between GM’s Competition Motorsports Engineering division and Pratt Miller Engineering, the Z06 GT3.R is a therefore a landmark racing car for Chevrolet. It takes the level of technology transfer between racing and production to a new level with more shared components and features than ever before.

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Since making its entry in 2015, Viper Niza Racing has been among the more successful fully Malaysian racing teams in regional and international competition. Its most significant victory was the class win at the 2019 TCR SPA500 24-Hour endurance race in Belgium with a CUPRA Leon.

Now, after 105 race starts by its driver and Team Principal & Owner, Douglas Khoo, Viper Niza Racing is taking a big step forward with two new racing cars for an assault in international and regional GT sportscar racing.

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For its 55th anniversary this year, AMG has been celebrating in various ways and one more is the production of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EDITION 55. This will be a very exclusive edition because there will be only 5 units in the world, so it will be a much-coveted collectors’ model.

To guarantee and to document the minimal production run, a specific range of numbers (“GT3.190-55”) was created for the chassis numbers of the cars. Each car will have an ex-factory price of 625,000 euros (around RM2.8 million).

While this has a GT3 designation, it is not FIA-homologated so it is not subject to the stringent regulations of the racing class. This has allowed the engineers at AMG to raise the power output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine to 650 bhp, around 100 bhp more than in the homologated version that can be used for racing. Appropriately, the performance exhaust system made of Inconel comes without a silencer, generating an even more characteristic sound pattern as a result.

Maximum exclusivity is also assured as the colour is a special finish in MANUFAKTUR alpine grey uni with red accents. This perfectly complements the matte finish of the aero components in visible carbonfibre (front diffuser, rear diffuser, rear wing including end plates, flicks, louvre, radiator grille, side skirts).

The Affalterbach crest has been painted on the doors, while next to the AMG logo, the 55 year anniversary logo can also be seen on the rear wing.

In the functional racing cockpit, the GT3 EDITION 55 has exclusive details such as the anniversary symbol on the seat embroidery and plaques with ‘EDITION 55 – 1 OF 5’ inscription can be found on the centre console and the carbonfibre seat.

The matte Anthracite metallic is characteristic for the AMG interior with the high-quality visible carbonfibre elements harmoniously blending in, from the door sills, door covers and centre console to the dashboard. Another exclusive feature in the interior are the seatbelts with silver accents.

As a technical highlight, the cockpit of the includes a Data Display Unit (DDU) of the latest generation. The Bosch DDU 11 has a high-resolution graphic display that shows relevant information like speed, engine speed, operating temperatures, lap times, gear and shift indication, among others. The 55 year anniversary logo makes its appearance each time the car is started.

Besides a tailor-made and specially designed car cover, each owner will also receive an exclusive watch. IWC Schaffhausen has created a limited EDITION 55 box that contains a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘AMG’ with each watch matched to the specific unit by the Mercedes-AMG car’s chassis number engraved on the back of the watch case made of grade 5 titanium.

Ferrari has unveiled its 2023 contender, the 296 GT3, at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium ahead of this weekend’s TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa race. The 296 GT3 was developed with extreme use in mind, typical of the Pro classes, but also for gentlemen drivers, for whom racing is first and foremost about having fun.

The entire Ferrari 296 GT3 project concept emerged in 2020 and went live with the first simulations and simulator models. Then came the indoor testing, which defined the car’s aerodynamic shape in the wind tunnel, the bench-tuning of the engine and rigidity testing the chassis. The car finally completed the endurance tests in Maranello’s 4WD Dyno. Since the first shakedown at the Fiorano track on April 12, 2022, the new Ferrari has completed tens of thousands of kilometres preparing it for racing.

This is the first modern-day Ferrari GT that has been designed and developed completely in-house and is the mid-engined successor to the 488 GT3 Evo 2020.  ORECA will put together the 296 GT3 as well as provide parts support for customers.

The Ferrari 96 GT3 grew out of the 296 GTB, the latest evolution of the company’s two-seater mid-rear-engined sports berlinetta concept. It’s a new approach in terms of design, car management at all stages of a race weekend, electronics, and even the engine architecture, a 120° turbocharged 6-cylinder (600 ps/710 Nm) – in compliance with the new GT3 regulations.

6-cylinder-engined Ferrari returns to track

This new model marks the return to the track of a 6-cylinder-engined Ferrari even though, in compliance with technical regulations, it doesn’t have the electric unit featured in the 296 GTB. Like its road-going twin, the positioning of the turbos is inside the vee. All this brings significant benefits in terms of compactness, lower centre of gravity and reduced mass

The gearbox of the 296 GT3 is new and specially developed for this car. The designers opted for a single-disc clutch unit with 6 gears, arranged transversely for better aerodynamics and weight distribution. Clutch actuation is now electronic and can be controlled from the steering wheel, rather than mechanical via the foot pedal, while the gear change is electrically actuated.

Connection to production car

The car’s design, minus the aerodynamic devices or features specific to the racing version, has retained its connection to the production model. The Ferrari engineers have been able to define an aerodynamic configuration within the homologation performance window by reducing ride height sensitivities with the aim of improving handling and driveability. This precise and detailed work on the shapes yielded a gain of 20% in downforce on the car over the previous generation.

Development of the cabin design was done without neglecting essential aspects such as safety and comfort. In endurance racing, performance depends on these features. The cabin was completely redesigned over the 488 GT3, in response to input from factory drivers and customers. The result is a cockpit that allows its occupant to quickly and effectively find the best driving position, with the main functions always within easy reach.

F1-inspired controls

Many controls and functions have moved to the new Formula 1 single seater-inspired steering wheel, while the position of the Sabelt seat provides optimal visibility, both day and night. It also adds a new level of comfort for drivers of different sizes and statures who can use the adjustable pedals and steering to find their best position in the car. The air conditioning system and airflow inside the cabin were designed to provide adequate ventilation in all conditions, helping the driver to concentrate during every stage of a race.

While the 296 GT3 chassis draws on the experience of the 488 GT3, it is entirely new and is made of aluminium. It allows the car to exploit the grip potential offered by the tyres without compromising their integrity in just a few laps, benefiting performance and repeatability. The chassis’ extreme lightness, which in the 296 GT3 also allows better and more efficient ballast management, contributes to this. The safety structure has been carefully designed using the most sophisticated simulations and innovative technologies and research, especially in alloys and materials.

Suspension differences

The 296 GT3 has a longer wheelbase than its road-going counterpart, within the regulatory limits, and a different suspension design to the 488 GT3, with dedicated kinematics and structures. The double wishbone arms in the front and rear suspensions are designed to offer maximum grip even at high speeds, limiting stress on the tyres as far as possible, to the benefit of tyre life, performance and reliability. The suspension, like the anti-roll bars, features the widest possible range of settings providing drivers with the best possible setup.

Ferrari is still working on the pricing which will be available towards the end of the year. The first customer teams will get their cars late in the year but in time for them to prepare for the debut race which will be the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

With the new FIA technical regulations coming into force this year, Lamborghini Squadra Corse has developed a new Huracan GT3 EVO2 which is an entirely new project. Compared to the Huracan GT3 EVO, which was homologated in 2019 and based on the Huracan EVO road car, the GT3 EVO2 is based on the Huracan STO and features all-new aerodynamic solutions and intake system.

It shares key design elements and rear-wheel drive only with the Huracan STO, and also the naturally aspirated V10 engine which, in the road version, delivers 640 bhp.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO
Huracan STO

Huracan GT3 EVO

The two strong design elements – the hexagonal airscoop design and the rear fin – are derived from Huracan STO, contributing to a more efficient intake system and better car balance. The airscoop is connected to a snorkel, replacing the side air intakes, which optimally channels the airflow directly into the engine, resulting in greater responsiveness to the driver’s demands.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

The introduction of 10 electronically actuated throttle bodies increases the efficiency of the V10 with titanium valves; the entire system, designed in-house by Lamborghini Squadra Corse, is fixed to the engine by just 4 screws, a solution introduced for the first time on the Essenza SCV12, to facilitate maintenance work.

The fully carbonfibre bodywork has a muscular design created in collaboration with Lamborghini’s Centro Stile. The new splitters, diffuser and underbody enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The carbonfibre floor, coated with high-strength Zylon fibre, together with the new diffuser, provides greater downforce than the current generation GT3 EVO.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

Other innovations include the rear wing, which is mounted on aluminium alloy pillars inspired by those of the STO. The new supports allow for greater precision in adjusting the wing compared to those of the EVO model.

The redesigned roll cage, with the introduction of two rear pillars, and the new carbon-Kevlar honeycomb side panels, already tested on the Essenza SCV12, increases safety in the event of impact on the doors in compliance with the FIA 2022 regulations. The plexiglas side windows are now fixed to the carbonfibre door panel by means of a ring of screws for greater structural rigidity and reliability.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

Stopping power has also been optimised as the brake system has been updated with new calipers and pads designed by Squadra Corse for both endurance and sprint races. These solutions, combined with dedicated traction control and ABS, have been developed to make the car easy to control in low-grip conditions. The car is delivered to customers equipped with PZero tyres (325/680-18 at the front; 325/705-18 at the rear) from Pirelli.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

“The new Huracan GT3 EVO2 is not simply an evolution of the current car. It’s a new project that reinforces the technological transfer between Lamborghini’s motorsport division and the company and inherits two difficult tasks: to prove as successful as the previous generations of Huracan GT3, which have won more than 40 international titles in 6 seasons, and to match its commercial success by helping to reach the target of 500 Huracán racing cars since 2015,” said Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini Head of Motorsport.

The first customers will get their cars from the second half of 2022, with the track debut to be at the 2023 Daytona 24 Hours. Those who are running the previous Huracan GT3 EVO model can upgrade it to the GT3 EVO2 specifications via an evolution kit.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2

The TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa this weekend is special for Mercedes-AMG. It was 50 years ago that the classic endurance race in Belgium saw the still young AMG brand scoring its first major success. Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz won their class and finished second overall with the AMG 300 SEL 6.8, a victory that brought AMG to the attention of the motorsports world. It was not a works racing car entered by Mercedes-Benz but a car developed by the engineering firm which was founded in 1967, hence the car’s entry as an ‘AMG’.

The ‘Red Pig’
The big W109 Mercedes-Benz sedan, painted in red and nicknamed ‘Red Pig’, weighed 1,635 kgs. AMG engineers got its 6835 cc engine to generate up to 428 ps and 620 Nm, giving a 0 to 100 km/h capability of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of more than 265 km/h. It suited the old course of Spa-Francorchamps – 14.863 kms long, with many straights that could be driven at full throttle.

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

3 ready-to-race cars
As homage to the legendary red car, Mercedes-AMG (the company became part of the Daimler Group in 2005) has developed a trio of cars in limited edition with the theme of ‘50 Years Legend of Spa’. For maximum exclusivity, the number has been limited to one of each. Next to the iconic red livery, the three unique pieces incorporate further exclusive characteristics and specifications. The limited edition consists of one SLS AMG GT3, one GT3 (2016 model year) and the current evolution version of the GT3.

All three racing cars are ready-to-race. Their livery recalls the iconic looks of the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG from 50 years ago. Next to the red basic colour, the surfaces for starting numbers and sponsors have been inspired by the race participation at Spa at the time.

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

The extras in the interior include a finish in Graphite Metallic Matt and a dashboard fascia in carbonfibre. On the dashboard, there is an anniversary plaque with the original signature of AMG founder Hans Werner Aufrecht.

Without FIA homologation
Technically, the special editions have a bit of differentiation too. The AMG 6.3 litre V8 engine, with a performance exhaust system, can develop its full power level without an air restrictor but as supplied ex-factory, it does not have FIA homologation.

The SLS AMG GT3 ‘50 Years Legend of Spa’ is a brand-new competition gullwing car classified as a 2021 model. Officially, production of this model ended in 2015 but for the anniversary edition, Mercedes-AMG took the final and only available bodyshell of the model from its warehouse to build the special version. Together with the other characteristics and specifications of the special version, the result is a car that can’t be exceeded in terms of uniqueness.

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

The 2016 anniversary car has been a fascinating model from the first model generation. Next to the typical special colour schemes for the interior and the exterior as well as the numerous special features, the race car has another feature that makes it special: its chassis number. The spaceframe, made from aluminium, has the number 100.

The 2020 car, in special edition form, is the latest GT3. Apart from the exhaust system that enhances performance, its technology is identical to that of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars that have been racing around the track in this year’s 24-hour race.

Mercedes-AMG 50th anniversary special edition GT3

StayAtHome

The Real Race’ is Lamborghini’s first official entry into eSports, delivering a new sim racing championship blending the real and virtual worlds of racing. In partnership with Assetto Corsa Competizione by Kunos Simulazioni, its inaugural virtual one-make series started at the end of May and will have 5 qualifier weekends till August 2, 2020. After that, a live final will be run at Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy on September 18, 2020.

Assetto Corsa Competizione was developed alongside car manufacturers and provides a dynamic platform for Lamborghini’s latest racing series. The game is also used by official Lamborghini Squadra Corse test and race drivers in their real-world preparations.

Lamborghini eSports

The immersive eSports competition will have the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO for participants. Its exclusive race livery is the work of Centro Stile, Lamborghini’s in-house design department. Participants can customize the looks in 12 different versions, with each car displaying the trademark logos of long-standing Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s partners – Pertamina, Pirelli and Roger Dubuis.

The top three players from the tournament’s live finals will enjoy a 3-day experience in Italy. They will have a chance to train alongside Lamborghini Squadra Corse drivers and to drive a real Lamborghini race car at a racetrack.

Lamborghini eSports

“Sim racing is one of the fastest growing sectors in eSports, with eSports increasingly important to younger generations. I also follow it closely! This is an opportunity for us to combine the excitement of virtual racing with the appeal of Lamborghini cars and our motorsports program,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

“ESports creates an environment where race heroes and top drivers can be challenged by anyone. This encourages wider engagement with real-life racing, reflected by Lamborghini’s investment in this new sports platform,” he added.

BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

David Coulthard, the former Formula 1 racing driver who will be the studio-based commentator for the live event, had this to say: “I’ve paid close attention to the rise of eSports. Seeing the realism of racing games and how drivers are using racing simulators to practice, or professional eSports players going from simulation to the real thing, is just incredible.”

The Real Race is designed to portray realism and professionalism. Skills in sim racing are so transferable, which is why Lamborghini wants to give players an opportunity to test drive the real thing as part of the prize. There’s nothing quite like getting behind the wheel of a Lamborghini,” Coulthard said.

Lamborghini GT3
A real Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO in action(above).The photorealism of the cars of The Real Race makes it hard to tell the difference (below).

Lamborghini eSports

Assetto Corsa Competizione is the new official GT World Challenge videogame. It offers an authentic atmosphere of the FIA ​​GT3 homologated championship, competing against official drivers, teams, cars and circuits, all reproduced in-game with the claim of the highest level of accuracy ever achieved. Sprint, Endurance and Spa 24 Hours races take full advantage of Unreal Engine 4 to ensure photorealistic weather conditions and graphics, night races, motion capture animations, reaching a new standard in terms of driving realism and immersion.

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