Looking Back—The 2016-2018 Porsche 911 GT3 R
- Images by Shawn Glad
The Porsche 911 GT3 R, introduced in 2015 as a customer race car for the GT3 series, was a derivative of the 911 GT3 RS (991.1 series) and emphasized lightweight construction, aerodynamic efficiency, and maintenance economy. It inherited a legacy that dates back to the 1973 911 Carrera RS and showcased advanced materials such as carbon-fiber for components like the roof, front hood, and doors, paired with polycarbonate windows.
Central to the GT3 R’s performance was the 4.0-liter flat-six engine, almost identical to the road-legal 911 GT3 RS, coupled with a six-speed sequential gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. These features collectively maintained the car’s weight to just 2,689 pounds.
Aerodynamically, the GT3 R showcased adaptations for track performance, including pronounced wheel arch air vents to augment front axle downforce and a massive rear wing, spanning two meters, to ensure balanced aerodynamics. This wing worked in conjunction with the car’s Michelin tires—300 mm wide at the front and slightly wider at the rear—to stabilize and grip the racetrack effectively.
Overall, this generation of the 911 GT3 R epitomized Porsche’s commitment to racing and motorsports, blending rigorous engineering with cutting-edge technologies to dominate the GT3 competition landscape.
Illustration by Shawn Glad
About the Illustration
This illustration was drawn by hand in Procreate on an iPad. The reference photo came from Porsche’s press release in 2015, which depicted the car in prototype form, complete with “PORSCHE” letters abstracted in striped form. It was an inspiring photograph that showcased the new car’s aerodynamics. I immediately jumped on my iPad and began sketching. The finished illustration you see here evolved from that initial pencil sketch and subsequent line drawing. I loved the abstraction of the Porsche letters that Porsche employed, and it lent itself well to a pen and ink style drawing with a single red accent for the number plate.
Ink Line Drawing by Shawn Glad
Pencil Sketch by Shawn Glad
For those interested, all of these drawings were done in Procreate on an iPad. I chose not to employ any straight line tools, focusing instead on a “pen to paper” approach, which is most apparent in the lettering. Sure, I look at these drawings and wonder if I might appreciate them more with a bit more finish and polish, but truthfully, they’re just sketches, meant for fun.
Enjoy!
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