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Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (996)

GT3 (2010)Race Sim Studio
400 hp
Horsepower
1120 kg
Weight
RWD
Drivetrain
2001
Year

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (996) (One-Make Cup Racer)

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (996) is the stripped-back, race-bred version of Porsche's first water-cooled 911 generation, built for the Carrera Cup and Supercup formulas. Powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six and carrying the classic rear-engined 911 layout, it delivers the raw, mechanical feel that made Porsche cup cars a benchmark for close racing.

Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)

  • Powertrain: 3.6L naturally aspirated flat-6, rear-mounted, longitudinal

  • Total Output: ~400 hp

  • Redline: ~8,000 rpm

  • Transmission: 6-speed sequential manual

  • Weight: ~1,120 kg

  • Dimensions: ~4,430 mm long × 1,770 mm wide × 1,300 mm tall | Wheelbase ~2,350 mm

  • Tires: Racing slicks on 18-inch cup wheels

  • Brakes: Ventilated steel racing discs with performance calipers

  • Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive

In the Simulator Feel

The 996 GT3 Cup is a committed, old-school cup car that rewards smooth hands and disciplined inputs. With no ABS, no traction control, and a rear-engine balance that keeps you honest, it delivers a very pure driving experience where momentum, braking discipline, and exit patience matter more than raw aggression. It can be incredibly fast in the right hands, but it will punish overdriving with snap rotation and tire wear.

Engine & Sound: The naturally aspirated flat-six has a hard-edged, metallic wail that builds cleanly through the rev range, with a classic Porsche rasp and a distinct rear-mounted roar right behind the cockpit. It’s less about turbo drama and more about precision, induction noise, and a satisfying top-end surge as it climbs toward redline.

Handling Characteristics:

  • Cornering: Strong front bite on turn-in, but the rear can rotate quickly if you lift or trail brake too aggressively.

  • Traction: Excellent mechanical grip on exit when managed carefully, though wheelspin and snap oversteer are always lurking if you’re greedy with throttle.

  • Braking: Powerful but demanding; it rewards threshold braking and good pedal feel rather than late, messy entries.

  • Top Speed: Respectable, but it’s built more for corner speed and consistency than outright straight-line dominance.

Driving Style Tip: Drive it with patience and respect the rear-engine balance. Brake in a straight line, release smoothly, and get back to throttle progressively. It shines on technical circuits where rhythm and car placement matter more than brute force.

Livery & Aesthetics: The 996 Cup has that unmistakable early-2000s Porsche race look — compact, muscular, and functional, with wide arches, a large rear wing, and a purposeful stance. The car also has that classic 911 silhouette that makes it instantly recognizable in any grid.

Whether you're practicing racecraft, chasing consistency, or just enjoying a true analog GT cup car, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (996) is a rewarding sim machine with real character and a very short tolerance for mistakes.