Though the Porsche name has been virtually synonymous with motorsport from its earliest years, Weissach has never really embraced the DTM. Yes, the DTM is one of Germany’s hottest series, but it’s largely been a touring car affair, attracting sedan manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and others. Even still, a new rules package may cause a re-think on the series… or at least that’s what livery and racecar design firm ssMedia is wondering with this new 911 design.
Impetus for the thought of a “911 DTM” car comes from a merging of formulas that’s been rumored for years. You see, DTM and Japan’s Super GT series have been converging for a while. DTM’s current mix of all-German marques and Super GT’s mix of mainly Japanese brands have been using similar silhouette chassis and and aerodynamic aids for a while now. However, the two thus far hadn’t been able to come to terms on engines. That is likely changing though.
Just this week, the DTM put out a statement announcing its agreement with Super GT to finally crate a joint set of technical relations. It read:
The new “CLASS 1” regulations for DTM and the Japanese SUPER GT series have been completed. Within the framework of the DTM tradition-steeped race meeting at the Norisring, Masaaki Bandoh, Chairman of the SUPER GT umbrella organisation GTA and Gerhard Berger, Chairman of the DTM umbrella organisation ITR presented the new technical regulations to take effect next year. “A milestone for international motor racing,” Berger described the result of the collaboration of ITR and GTA. “These regulations enable manufacturers and teams to participate in spectacular motor racing at reasonable costs on two continents – and thereby to reach many people.”
The new, joint regulations are based on three pillars that have been pursued by DTM for many years and guarantee enthralling motor sport: safety, cost reduction and equal opportunities. Already now, the cars of the two series resemble each other in many areas. From the 2019 season, the DTM vehicles will fully meet the “CLASS 1” regulations. One year later, SUPER GT also will adopt a version of the new regulations that will be slightly modified for the endurance races that are a part of the series’ calendar.
“CLASS 1”: Common part concept as guarantor of success
The most important factor of the new regulations will be the common part concept. It results in clear cost reductions while also adding to the safety and equal-opportunity areas. Components of nearly all the areas of the car will be standardised and will be produced and distributed both in Europe and Japan. For all these components, the manufacturers needn’t to invest in expensive design and development efforts. The core of the car is the carbon-fibre monocoque with integrated safety cell that already has been used in DTM for years.A significant difference to the previous technical DTM regulations will be the engines. A state-of-the-art two-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine will replace the V8 power units used to date. The engine will produce some 620bhp – about 100bhp more than their predecessors – and will accelerate the DTM cars to more than 300kph. Due to the additional power the cars also will need more brake energy. Therefore, the aero design of the front of the car will be adapted to gather more air for cooling both the engine and the brakes. Furthermore, front and rear diffuser and the rear wing will be modified as the current SUPER GT specs will be incorporated in the new regulations, in this area.
First joint races of DTM and SUPER GT in 2019
Although SUPER GT will adopt the “CLASS 1” regulations only in 2020, ITR and GTA plan to hold two joint race meetings – one in Europe and one in Asia – as early as 2019. The format will resemble the sporting regulations of DTM, with two sprint races without a driver swap or refuelling but an obligatory pit stop for the change of all the four tyres. For these race meetings, a one-off “Balance of Performance” (BoP) will be created to make for equal chances of the still slightly differing vehicles of both series.The 2018 season is in full swing. After the season highlight at the Norisring, the calendar still features another six rounds, with the first half of the season being concluded from 13th to 15th July at Zandvoort.
Given the excitement, ssMedia took the liberty to imagine just what a Porsche 911 with DTM style aero might look like. Add the blacked out livery with aggressive aero and what appears to be a more compact-looking 991 body and it’s hard not to love the look. Even still, we’d guess it’s highly unlikely that Porsche would even be able to campaign the 911 in DTM.
Why? Well, while there’s no stipulation of engine placement in the press release above, we can take what we know about the 911 and its rear engine and compare that to what we know of today’s Super GT and DTM cars that are both 1) silhouette homologated chassis with marque specific bodywork overtop and 2) front engine rear wheel drive. Obviously, that doesn’t sound like a 911, and frankly the shape of this car doesn’t appear to make it look like it’s on the silhouette chassis anyway.
While we’d love to see Porsche in the DTM and Super GT series, we suspect the 911 simply couldn’t make the jump from a packaging standpoint. Even if it could, a front engine racer in 911 bodywork wouldn’t do much for Porsche fanatics. Now, a Panamera DTM / Super GT or a rumored 928 successor variant are a different story.
If you want to see more work by ssMedia including this concept, check it out on their Facebook page HERE.
