For decades, Porsche’s one-make series have been crucial for nurturing young talent in motorsport, serving as a vital stepping stone into endurance racing. The 2026 season will see the debut of a new Porsche 911 Cup race car, which is currently undergoing an extensive testing program. Among those taking the wheel is reigning LMGT3 Drivers’ World Champion Klaus Bachler, whose expertise will contribute to refining the vehicle.
What began in 1990 with the German Porsche Carrera Cup quickly expanded internationally, becoming a global success story with over twelve national Carrera Cups and 23 additional Porsche-sanctioned sprint and endurance challenges. With 5,381 units produced, these one-make series cars are among the most built race cars in the world.
Porsche has been developing the new 911 Cup car since January 2024, with its official presentation scheduled for summer 2025 and its competition debut in the 2026 season. It’s based on the current 992.2 generation, which will be built side-by-side with the series production models in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
eFuel Testing and Prominent Test Drivers
A pioneering aspect of the development is the exclusive use of eFuels throughout the entire testing phase. This alternative fuel is being utilized on both the test bench and during real-world test drives. The eFuel blend used in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup meets the stringent FIA requirements for renewable fuel, enabling an impressive CO₂ equivalent reduction of 66 percent compared to fossil fuels. This high-performance racing fuel consists of almost 80 percent by volume of renewable components, primarily synthetic gasoline (MtG) and renewable ethanol, optimized for the specific requirements of the boxer engines.
The test drives took place on challenging circuits such as Monza, the Lausitzring, and Porsche’s in-house test track in Weissach. Porsche brought in experienced drivers for the prototypes’ cockpits. For instance, Austrian Klaus Bachler, who won the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 drivers in 2024, tested the new Cup race car at the Lausitzring. Alongside him, Supercup champion Bastian Buus, IMSA champion Laurin Heinrich, and veteran Marco Seefried also took to the wheel.
Sources: Porsche Newsroom