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If this is true, which would be possible due to restrictions on engines and noise, it would be end of GT3 cars, replaced by GT2 cars, as the road-legal versions of GT Cup cars.
but who knows with Porsche, they are surprising us all the time
Nizer has a point.... This is a logical step for the Porsche GT4 platform to compete with the R8, AMG GT, and Mac 570 (actual peers in a production sense). Unfortunately, costs are quickly escalating, the norm for a popular growing racing segment. It looks like the Cayman will be relegated to the TCR ranks unless they put a proper uncorked 4.0L in it. I hope the GT4 class doesn't lose touch with its roots. The competition and "manageable" costs have been awesome for gentlemen drivers and pros alike. Not to mention seeing the Cayman punch well above its weight.
All said, it just as well could be the new GT3R for the GTD/GT3 class as it is no secret that Porsche has been struggling against the competition. Given those budgets and what it takes to run a turbo car, this seems very plausible. To me the tell is all of the AERO on the car. That screams GT3.
That is not GT3 aero, it's Cup aero. it might be a GT3R engine/drivetrain test mule, but that is still years away. IMSA has already confirmed that Porsche (along with other manufacturers) are using their one-time update to the currently homologated GT3R. This means it will feature the new fascia/aero as seen on the upcoming GT3RS, and all the other various updates of the new 2018 GT3R car package.. The GT3R is homologated off the RS, so we will see this "Evo" update kit for the current GT3R owners, along with the release of the .2RS for the 2018 racing season.
So Porsche GT3R is going to stay NA for the new few years as well, which is a good thing. That car is perfectly competitive in all GT3/GTD competition. Good teams/drivers campaigning them are what have been lacking.
Given that prices for top GT4 cars are now the same or more than 991.2 Cup cars, it wouldn't surprise me to see Porsche move to the 911 platform for GT4, and use the 718/GT4 for future TCR categories. However, the GT2RS base price is already crazy high, so it's not like they will charge LESS for the race car version of it.....I'm interested to see how they would price such a car, if it existed. 300K for a GT4 car seems kinda crazy given their current GT4 car costs $160K.
Whatever they do, they always find a way to make it work. I'm just glad they are still one of the very few offering NA street and race cars.