GT3 Manufacturers...

[Matt]

There won't be a Hybrid version at all.

[divxx]

Very pretty, though the NSX appears very aerodynamically tame for a new-generation GT3, like something that would have debuted 5-6 years ago. Not complaining, it's good to see a new factory GT that doesn't look prototype-esque.

Also, looks like Honda, Nissan and Lexus will all be running the same models in both SuperGT classes next year.

[Rodger Davies]

Originally Posted by divxx

Very pretty, though the NSX appears very aerodynamically tame for a new-generation GT3, like something that would have debuted 5-6 years ago.

It does, especially the rear wing looks basic, but it made me think of a few possibilities:

The actual car will look nothing like this when it's homologated.

They've seen issues like Audi had at Bathurst where BoP will kill you in some places for having too much downforce.

or

Downforce is generated through other areas much more efficiently.

[uncivilsum]

Seeing the recent growth in GT3, really makes me wonder how this format is going to meets it's demise. Almost every major manufacturer seems to have a car that's homologated for GT3, at one point something has to happen that will cause manufacturers to lose interest in GT3.

Don't get me wrong, i like GT3 racing but i'm just wondering what it future will hold.

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by uncivilsum

Seeing the recent growth in GT3, really makes me wonder how this format is going to meets it's demise. Almost every major manufacturer seems to have a car that's homologated for GT3, at one point something has to happen that will cause manufacturers to lose interest in GT3.

Don't get me wrong, i like GT3 racing but i'm just wondering what it future will hold.

manufacturers will lose interest in GT3 when private teams will lose interest in GT3

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by uncivilsum

Seeing the recent growth in GT3, really makes me wonder how this format is going to meets it's demise. Almost every major manufacturer seems to have a car that's homologated for GT3, at one point something has to happen that will cause manufacturers to lose interest in GT3.

Don't get me wrong, i like GT3 racing but i'm just wondering what it future will hold.

I've predicted the impending demise of GT3 twice on here, I am not gonna do it again...

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

manufacturers will lose interest in GT3 when private teams will lose interest in GT3

And when that happens it'll be easy for manufacturers to adapt to the demands of the market.

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by Miguel

And when that happens it'll be easy for manufacturers to adapt to the demands of the market.

yeah cheaper gt3 cars...

it's all about cost cutting. In '00-'10 there were GT1 with costs close to 1mln €, then GT2 50% cheaper, and now gt3 rules among private teams because GTE/GTLM have become expensive or even more expensive than GT1 cars.
Surely actual gt3 cars will start to die when there will be new GT specs at 200.000€...

at the end, future cheaper gt3 = more expensive gt4?

hamletic doubt

[godlameroso]

The 650S GT3 is already +$500,000 USD for the car alone. Then spares, tires, fuel, crew, telemetry, pit wall, support + logistics, you can easily spend + $3 million USD for a season of racing.

[TF110]

Other cars like the Huracan are around 350-400k, a relative bargain compared to one's like the 488.

[Starfish Primer]

Nothing is forever, GT3 and GTE will collapse at some point and something will replace them. It happenend with GTS, GT1, Group A... Perhaps in 10 years we´ll be watching Silhouettes or Touring cars.

[gustavobamba]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Mercedes... make a GTE version to race in Le Mans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXMr4uCUYlU

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Mercedes... make a GTE version to race in Le Mans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXMr4uCUYlU

the amg gt3 is powered by the old 6.2 V8 that powered the sls gt3 too. If mercedes was going to use the 4L twin turbo, maybe they could have a "bmw style" approach, using an update gt3 car as GTLM spec.

About costs, if I'm right, when you order a mclaren gt3 chassis, you must purchase a complete set of spare parts too by contract!
Honestly don't know if 3mln € or $ are enough to finance a one car program in BES or ADAC.

Lamborghini is making what ferrari/michelotto made with the 458 gt3! a reasonable cheap car, easy to set and very pro-am friendly... that's the reason why there are a lot of huracan around.
Ferrari 488 gt3 basically is a downgraded 488 GTLM, surely ferrari/michelotto it self doesn't expect to have the same market of the old 458 (that most of ferrari teams are still using)

[Speed-King]

Lamborghini is making what ferrari/michelotto made with the 458 gt3! a reasonable cheap car, easy to set and very pro-am friendly... that's the reason why there are a lot of huracan around.
Ferrari 488 gt3 basically is a downgraded 488 GTLM, surely ferrari/michelotto it self doesn't expect to have the same market of the old 458 (that most of ferrari teams are still using)

Michelotto might still come out ahead, seeing how they can at least defray some of the development cost of the GTE this way... I don't think there would have been a GTE had they not been able to shift some of the cost to the GT3 version.

[divxx]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Michelotto might still come out ahead, seeing how they can at least defray some of the development cost of the GTE this way... I don't think there would have been a GTE had they not been able to shift some of the cost to the GT3 version.

I don't know if Ferrari was going to give up GTE just like that, but totally agree on defrayed development costs.

It looks like a solid plan, having a LM-legal GTE and just take out tech for customer GT3's. Lots of teams still bought the new car despite the 488's price hike since Ferrari has traditionally had more true customers than any other make (that badge alone is probably worth something to paying drivers). It's probably cheaper doing what BMW does, but then you end up with a GTE that can only run in one series.

[kingers]

I think you will find the BMW with its spares package is the second most expensive car to buy :/

McLaren 3rd.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by godlameroso

The 650S GT3 is already +$500,000 USD for the car alone.

Originally Posted by TF110

Other cars like the Huracan are around 350-400k, a relative bargain compared to one's like the 488.

There's no such thing as a cheap Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini, much less a race car.

Now, the Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Nissan GT3 cars should cost much less.

[TF110]

Not cheap, but relatively inexpensive vs the higher cost cars like the 488.

[JoestForEver]

The thing is, as Mike Hedlund (could be someone else though, my poor memory) once pointed out, the price of GT3 is in fact a bundle of service/spares/car. So unless there's a specific mandate bundle of Mclaren as above, it's hard to compare the price tag of the rest.
As a result, if you have Yuji Ide on board, an R8 could cost more than a 488.

[Matt]

Ide isn't that bad, was just too far out of his element in F1.

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by JoestForEver

As a result, if you have Yuji Ide on board, an R8 could cost more than a 488.

Or worse with Benoit Treluyer! How bad do you have to be to be beaten decisively by Yuji Ide in the same team?!

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by Beryl

Or worse with Benoit Treluyer! How bad do you have to be to be beaten decisively by Yuji Ide in the same team?!

Apparently as bad as Benoît Tréluyer.

[uncivilsum]

Does anyone have an idea what happend to Maserati's GT3 cars? I found some articles from 2013 talking about their homologation of the GT3 cars. But they don't seem to race anymore. Does anyone know what happend?

[Rodger Davies]

Originally Posted by uncivilsum

Does anyone have an idea what happend to Maserati's GT3 cars? I found some articles from 2013 talking about their homologation of the GT3 cars. But they don't seem to race anymore. Does anyone know what happend?

It was for a private team from Switzerland, it might still be racing in Italian GT but I suspect not.

[merak1974]

Originally Posted by uncivilsum

Does anyone have an idea what happend to Maserati's GT3 cars? I found some articles from 2013 talking about their homologation of the GT3 cars. But they don't seem to race anymore. Does anyone know what happend?

The GranTurismo GT3 was developed by Swiss Team (that also developed the highly successful Quattroporte that won the 2011 Superstars series).

The GT3 had a brief, but quite successful racing history in the GT Sprint series, with a race win in Vallelunga in 2012, and a third place at Brno in 2013.

I don't think it was raced in 2014.

It was then entered in the 2015 GT Open series, but experienced problems in the opening round at Paul Ricard in April. As far as I know, it has not been entered in any races since then.