Porsche special models · 1967 (original); 2016 (991 generation)
Porsche 911 R: 2016 Specs, Price & the 1967 Original
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Porsche 911 R is a 991-generation special limited to 991 cars, shown at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. It put the 911 GT3 RS's 500 hp 4.0-liter flat-six behind a six-speed manual, the only gearbox offered, weighed 1,370 kg, and took its name from Porsche's lightweight 1967 911 R racer.
Porsche presented the 911 R at the 2016 Geneva show as a road-focused counterpart to the 911 GT3 RS. The motorsport department kept the RS's 4.0-liter engine, rear-axle steering, mechanical locking differential and ceramic brakes, then left off the fixed wing and fitted the Carrera's retractable spoiler. Carbon front fenders and hood, a magnesium roof, plastic rear windows and thinner insulation brought the weight down to 1,370 kg, 50 kg less than the GT3 RS. The only transmission was a six-speed manual.
Porsche limited the run to 991 cars and gave them visual cues from the past: red or green stripes running the length of the body, Porsche script on the sides, and Pepita tartan seat centers like the first 911. The original 911 R of 1967 was a stripped-out competition 911 that weighed about 800 kg, according to Porsche. It ran in rallies, in the Targa Florio and in world-record attempts.
911 R history, year by year
- 1967 — Porsche builds the original 911 R, a limited-series, road-homologated racing 911 that competed in rallies, the Targa Florio and record runs.[1]
- Late 1960s — Porsche quotes a curb weight of 800 kg for the race-ready 911 R, the starting point for later lightweight 911s such as the 911 S (ST).[2]
- 2016 — The 991-generation 911 R debuts at the Geneva International Motor Show with 500 hp, a six-speed manual and a 991-unit cap.[1]
- 2019 — The 991 911 Speedster uses the 911 R and 911 GT3 as its development basis and borrows the R's carbon front fenders.[3]
How many 911 Rs were made?
| Model / variant | Years | Units | What the figure counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 911 R (991) | 2016 | 991[1],[4] | Limited-edition cap stated by Porsche; each car carries its number on a carbon interior trim strip. |
Road-car totals for every Porsche model: Porsche production numbers.
Porsche 911 R specs
| Engine | 4.0 L naturally aspirated flat-six from the 911 GT3 RS[1] |
|---|---|
| Power & torque | 368 kW (500 hp) at 8,500 rpm; 460 Nm at 6,250 rpm[1] |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual only, with button-activated double-declutch function; single-mass flywheel optional[1] |
| Weight | 1,370 kg, 50 kg less than the 911 GT3 RS[1] |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.8 seconds[1] |
| Top speed | 323 km/h (about 201 mph, converted)[1] |
| Chassis & brakes | GT3 chassis with rear-axle steering, mechanical rear differential lock, PCCB ceramic brakes (410 mm front / 390 mm rear), 20-in center-lock forged wheels[1] |
| Body | Carbon hood and front fenders, magnesium roof, plastic rear and rear side windows; retractable rear spoiler instead of a fixed wing; titanium sport exhaust[1] |
| 1967 911 R weight | 800 kg (Porsche figure)[2] |
What made the 911 R significant
- At launch it was the lightest version of the 911 range at 1,370 kg.[1]
- Developed by the motorsport department, it widened Porsche's line of high-revving naturally aspirated 911s alongside the GT3 and GT3 RS, pairing the RS engine exclusively with a manual gearbox.[1]
- Its parts and philosophy carried into the 2019 911 Speedster, which Porsche developed from the 911 R and 911 GT3.[3]
- The name refers to the 1967 911 R, a lightweight racing 911 Porsche put through rallies, the Targa Florio and world-record runs.[1]
What to check before you buy a 911 R
- Check the limited-edition number on the carbon dash trim against the car's Porsche documentation and title history.[1]
- Confirm options from the original window sticker or build data. The single-mass flywheel, front-axle lift, air conditioning and audio were all options on this car, and they affect value.[1]
- Inspect the PCCB ceramic brakes, the center-lock wheels and the carbon front fenders and hood for wear, refinishing or repair.[1]
- Ask for clutch and service records, and have a specialist read the engine's over-rev data. Engine and clutch condition matter most on a high-revving manual car.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a shop that knows 991 GT cars, including a check for paint and panel repair.
See exactly how this 911 R left the factory.
For US-market cars with a 17-character VIN, the CarWhere build sheet decodes the VIN into its factory record: paint, interior, option codes and equipment as built. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay.
Porsche 911 R FAQ
How many Porsche 911 Rs were made?
Porsche limited the 991-generation 911 R to 991 cars. Each car's number appears on a carbon trim strip on the passenger side of the dash.
How much horsepower does the 911 R have?
Its 4.0-liter flat-six, the engine from the 911 GT3 RS, makes 368 kW (500 hp) at 8,500 rpm and 460 Nm of torque. Porsche quotes 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a 323 km/h top speed.
Does the 911 R come with PDK?
No. The 911 R was offered only with a six-speed manual, with a double-declutch function and an optional single-mass flywheel.
What did the 911 R cost new?
US pricing was announced at $184,900 plus a $1,050 destination charge in March 2016, before options.
What was the original 1967 Porsche 911 R?
It was a limited-series, road-homologated racing 911 that Porsche ran in rallies, the Targa Florio and world-record attempts. Porsche gives its weight as 800 kg. The 2016 car borrows its name, stripes and lightweight approach.
Related Porsche specials and race cars
Porsche history, specs and production research
Sources
Dates, production counts, specifications and results on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.
- Press Information: Geneva Motor Show 2016 (Wolf in sheep's clothing – the new Porsche 911 R) — Porsche Newsroom
- History: 911 S (ST) (1969 to 1972) — Porsche Newsroom
- The new Porsche 911 Speedster Press Kit — Porsche Newsroom
- The seven generations of the Porsche 911 (Part 7) - The 991: the 911 passes the one million mark (press release, 27 Nov 2018) — Porsche Newsroom
Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera and Speedster are trademarks of their owner.