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Porsche 962 C Short Tail

PrototypePorsche
700 hp
Horsepower
850 kg
Weight
RWD
Drivetrain
1988
Year

Porsche 962 C Short Tail (Group C Prototype)

The Porsche 962 C Short Tail is one of the defining silhouettes of Group C endurance racing — a brutally effective, turbocharged German prototype developed to dominate at Le Mans, IMSA, and beyond. The short-tail aerodynamic package trades a little top-end stability for reduced drag, making it a sharper and more track-focused evolution of the legendary 962 family.

Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)

  • Powertrain: 3.0L flat-6, twin-turbocharged, rear-mid mounted, longitudinal

  • Total Output: ~700 hp (qualifying trim; race trim often lower depending on boost)

  • Redline: ~8,000–8,500 rpm

  • Transmission: 5-speed manual / sequential race gearbox depending on setup

  • Weight: ~850 kg

  • Dimensions: ~4,780 mm long × 2,000 mm wide × 1,050 mm tall | Wheelbase ~2,720 mm

  • Tires: Period racing slicks on center-lock wheels

  • Brakes: Ventilated racing discs with multi-piston calipers

  • Layout: Rear-mid-engine, rear-wheel drive

In the Simulator Feel

The 962 C Short Tail is a high-speed prototype with old-school turbo attitude. It feels light, direct, and incredibly fast once the boost comes in, but it demands respect on corner entry and especially under power. Compared with modern prototypes, the car is rawer and less forgiving, with less electronic intervention and a narrower operating window. The short-tail body gives it a slightly more agile and responsive character, particularly in tighter sections where change of direction matters.

Engine & Sound: The twin-turbo flat-six is one of the great sounds of endurance racing — a deep mechanical growl at low rpm, followed by a hard-edged turbo surge and wastegate chatter as the boost builds. It delivers power in a dramatic wave, so managing throttle application is key to keeping the rear end settled.

Handling Characteristics:

  • Cornering: Very capable at speed, but it can feel nervous at the limit and prone to understeer if you enter too hot.

  • Traction: Strong once loaded, though turbo torque can overwhelm the rear tires if you’re abrupt on exit.

  • Braking: Powerful for its era, but with less stability and modulation than modern prototypes.

  • Top Speed: Excellent in trim optimized for low drag, making it a monster on long straights like Mulsanne.

Driving Style Tip: Be patient with the throttle and let the chassis settle before asking for full boost. Smooth inputs and confident commitment through fast corners are rewarded; aggressive corrections usually aren’t.

Livery & Aesthetics: The 962 C Short Tail has timeless Group C beauty — low, wide, and purposeful, with the classic Porsche endurance-racer profile and compact tail treatment. In sim, it looks every bit the legendary factory weapon, especially in iconic Rothmans and other period-correct liveries.

Whether you're chasing laps in qualifying trim or grinding through a long-distance classic prototype race, the Porsche 962 C Short Tail delivers the kind of analog, high-speed challenge that made Group C unforgettable.