Close Encounter with the Kremer Porsche 935 K3

With the upcoming 24hrs of Le Mans that starts on the 15th of June I was thinking about this Kremer K3. I’ve had the privilege of examining different Kremer Porsche 935 K3 up close many times. But never quite like this. During the “International Club Day of Porsche Friends” in Dinslaken, Kremer Racing had their own stand, and this car was the highlight of the day. As visitors, we were even lucky enough to hear the engine roar to life, experiencing it in all its glory.

The K3 Porsches come in many forms and variants, making it tough to judge a K3 purely by its appearance. Thankfully, as photographers, we often have a cheat sheet by the car with all the essential details. Unfortunately, Kremer was brief in this case, so I can’t confirm what kind of racing history this particular car has.

What I do know is that this is a Porsche 935 K3/80. The number 80 corresponds to the specifications of that year—1980, in this case. Each year, the Group 5 regulations were reviewed and adjusted as necessary. The yearly adjustment of the regulations meant that Kremer Racing had to modify their cars every season to stay competitive. This constant evolution was a hallmark of their engineering prowess. The relentless pursuit of perfection kept Kremer Racing at the forefront of motorsport, adapting and innovating to meet the ever-changing demands of the racing world.

Seeing and hearing the K3/80 up close was a reminder of why this car remains a legend. Whether or not this specific model has a storied past, its engineering excellence and the unmistakable roar of its engine make it a true icon of its time.

Let’s dive under the hood of this legendary machine. We’re talking about a 2994cc, 6-cylinder boxer engine, equipped with twin KKK turbochargers that give this beast its growl. Feeding this ferocious powerplant is a Kugelfischer injection pump, ensuring that every drop of fuel is utilized to its maximum potential.

To handle the immense power, this engine features twin spark ignition and titanium connecting rods, allowing it to push the boundaries of performance. The Bosch high-performance capacitor ignition (HKZ) system keeps the spark strong and reliable, while the air-to-air intercooler ensures that the intake charge remains cool and dense.

And the numbers? They speak for themselves. This powerhouse churns out a staggering 805 horsepower at 8000 rpm and delivers a thunderous 720 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm. It’s a testament to engineering excellence and pure, unadulterated performance.

Below a small clip of when they fired up the engine.