THERE'S A NEW PORSCHE 911 CUP BASED ON THE 992.2-GENERATION AND IT'S PERFECTION!
Porsche has pulled the covers off the new 911 Cup – the latest and most advanced iteration of its one-make racing weapon for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, various Carrera Cup championships, and other Porsche-sanctioned series. Set to debut on the grid from the start of the 2026 season, the 911 Cup is based on the updated 992.2-generation 911 and represents a carefully honed evolution of its acclaimed predecessor. In a move to streamline naming conventions, Porsche has dropped the ‘GT’ suffix for its one-make racers, reserving that designation for cars aimed at open-brand racing or specific categories, like the newly revealed 911 GT3 R evolution. Derived largely from the road-going 911 GT models and produced alongside them at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen HQ, the 911 Cup builds on the proven success of the outgoing model, of which 1,130 examples have been delivered since 2020, contributing to a total of 5,381 one-make 911 race cars made to date. Visually, the new Cup car mirrors the refreshed 992.2 GT3’s styling cues, with a reworked front end featuring a three-piece front spoiler lip that allows for sectional replacement after contact, cutting costs and simplifying logistics. Daytime running lights have been removed to protect the radiators in collisions and eliminate the need for replacements. Aerodynamic gains come from fender-integrated louvre vents to aid airflow and increase front downforce, a more aerodynamically optimised underbody, and newly incorporated turning vanes behind the front wheel arches for better airflow along the flanks. These elements combine for sharper turn-in and improved front-end precision at high speed. At the rear, a fully redesigned swan-neck wing benefits from easier adjustability thanks to revised supports, while a reworked engine cover joins most exterior panels – including the doors – in being made from recycled carbon fibre fleece and bio-based epoxy resin, cutting waste and stabilising parts costs. Beneath the skin, the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six – still water-cooled, high-revving, and based on the 911 GT3’s unit – now produces 382 kW thanks to flow-optimised individual throttle valves, longer-duration camshafts, and the deletion of the central throttle body, which also allows an air restrictor to be fitted for other race series eligibility. Despite the boost in performance, engine service intervals remain at a stout 100 hours of track time. Three exhaust systems are available to meet varying noise limits, and the acoustic drama is now even more pronounced at the start line thanks to a tougher four-disc sintered metal clutch that enables higher launch revs. An automatic restart system fires the engine back up if it stalls when the clutch is depressed, and a new brake-light strobe function replaces hazard lights to alert following drivers under heavy braking, especially during race starts.
The upgrades extend deep into the chassis and driver interface. The braking system gains larger 380 mm front discs with thickness increased from 32 mm to 35 mm, enabling wider cooling channels for better heat management. Moving the central water cooler to the rear frees up airflow to the brakes via the front, and a smaller brake hat diameter increases the contact area between disc and pad, which now benefits from a wider surface for improved stopping power and extended life, crucial for endurance racing. Bosch’s M5 racing ABS now comes standard, working in tandem with an upgraded acceleration sensor for more accurate input analysis, and it can even warn of hydraulic leaks in either brake circuit. A larger fluid reservoir enhances long-distance race suitability. Steering refinements include adjusted stops for a tighter turning radius – useful in narrow paddocks – and better oversteer control mid-corner. The driver environment gets a higher-quality multifunction steering wheel with central rotary knobs for ABS and traction control adjustments, plus backlit buttons for improved visibility. The central control panel beside the seat now has eight buttons instead of ten, one of which opens an on-screen menu for a host of settings – from pit lane speed limiter and exhaust mapping to steering angle reset – without requiring a laptop connection. Extra foam padding on the door crossbar boosts driver protection. As with every detail on the 911 Cup, these changes have been implemented with a clear purpose: to make the car faster, safer, more durable, and easier to run across the many global series it will contest. Every part reflects Porsche’s decades of motorsport know-how – from the recycled composite bodywork and advanced aerodynamics to the precision-tuned drivetrain and competition-hardened braking system – ensuring the 2026 911 Cup continues the marque’s dominance in the world of one-make racing.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off a way too brief look at the 2026 instalment of Porsche's 911 Cup factory racecar - based on the 992.2-generation of 911: New car for 2026: Porsche 911 Cup | Porsche Motorsport North America
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