Porsche has just revealed its newest entrant into the 2010 motorsport arena: the 911 GT3 R. Confused? Join the queue, because the Porsche 911 range is now as baffling as it is sensational.

The GT3 R is a stripped-out racing car built to compete in the FIA GT3 series, and replaces the old Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S.

And to make matters worse, it's based on the 'extra-wide' body of the road-going Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

So in summary - this is the 911 GT3 R which succeeds the 911 GT3 Cup S and is based on the 911 GT3 RS road-racer. Got it?

The new racing Porker is powered by a 4-litre six-cylinder boxer engine producing 480bhp - an increase of 30bhp over the outgoing Cup - and weighs just 1,200kg. To put this power and weight into perspective, it's like a 480bhp Toyota IQ.

But while the power, pedigree and looks of the new GT3 R might scare you, Porsche wants this racing car to be more 'driveable' with 'easier' handling.

The company reckons the GT3 R's traction control, ABS and 'throttle-blip' function make it "more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver".

You'd certainly need ambition to race this thing - the base price of the Porsche 911 GT3 R is £241,000 plus VAT.

This new GT3 R will make its debut at the 2010 Autosport International show in Birmingham in January.

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