Porsche introduced the 911 GT2 in 1992, on the 993-generation sports car. It was initially built to meet homologation requirements for motorsport and it featured wider fenders and a larger rear wing compared to the standard model. Unlike the RS and the GT3, the GT2 used a turbocharged engine. Discontinued in 1998, the GT2 returned on the 996 generation between 2002 and 2005, and was resurrected once again on the 997-gen 911 in 2008. In 2010, two years before the GT2 was again retired, Porsche launched the 911 GT2 RS. Much like the GT3 RS, the GT2 RS weighed less and had a more powerful engine than the non RS version.

Development of the GT2 RS began in 2007, one year before the 997 GT2 was unveiled, as a skunk-works effort. It was dubbed "project 727," a number based on the Nissan GT-R's 7:26.7-minute lap time around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. In 2010, the GT2 RS beat the GT-R's time by an impressive nine seconds, stopping the clock at 7:18. Although Nissan improved the GT-R's time in 2011 and 2013, it didn't manage to overtake the GT2 RS until 2015, when the Nismo-prepped version lapped the German track in 7:08.

When it was launched at the 2010 Moscow Auto Show, the GT2 RS marked the absolute climax of the 911 range, becoming the fastest, lightest, and most powerful road-going Porsche to have ever been created. Production was limited to only 500 units, which gave the GT2 RS collectible status as soon as it hit the streets.

Continue reading to find out more about the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS
  • Engine/Motor: six-cylinder boxer engine
  • Horsepower: 620
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Styling wise, the GT2 RS was similar to the GT2, which in turn was based on the 911 Turbo. However, the RS received some upgrades that were available on the standard GT2. Among them there were numerous carbon-fiber-reinforced components, recognizable by their matte-black surface finish. These include the front trunk lid, front spoiler lip, side skirts, mirror caps, rear fender intake frames, and rear diffuser.

The GT2 RS also gained wider, lightweight wheels with motorsport inspired central locking (instead of the GT2's five-nut layout), and flared front wheel arches. Aerodynamic updates included a revised front splitter and rear diffuser, and reshaped side mirrors. The "GT2" badge on the engine lid was replaced with a "GT2 RS," while the doors gained similar lettering.

Interior

Much like the exterior, the GT2 RS' interior was heavily based on the GT2's, which received sportier accents compared to the standard 911 Turbo. Porsche took things to the next level with the RS, which aimed for a more race-inspired appearance. Added features included lightweight bucket seats made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in carbon finish and lightweight door panels with fabric pulls instead of conventional handles. All cars had a black interior with red accents on the seats, steering wheel, door panels, and roof. The gearshift and handbrake lever were finished in red Alcantara.

Drivetrain

Motivation for the GT2 RS came from a revised version of the GT2's twin-turbo, 3.6-liter flat-six. The beefed-up mill cranked out 612 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, an 89-horsepower and 16-pound-feet increase over the GT2. These figures made the 911 GT2 RS the most powerful road-legal Porsche in history, outgunning the race-ready, 537-horsepower 911 GT1 Strassenversion, as well as the V-10-powered, 605-horsepower Carrera GT. That didn't change until 2013, when the 918 Spyder arrived with a hybrid drivetrain generating 887 horsepower (still, the V-8 in the 918 churns only 608 horsepower, four horses less than the GT2 RS' flat-six).

The RS' impressive output was sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox specifically revised for this model. The combo enabled the winged coupe to hit 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, three tenths quicker than the GT2. Top speed increased from 204 to 205 mph. Not surprising given that the RS was also 150 pounds lighter.

Another impressive feature was its 7:18-minute lap on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, which made it the fifth quickest vehicle in the world on the German track in 2010. It's worth noting that the four faster cars, the Radical SR8LM, Radical SR8, Gumpert Apollo Speed, and Donkervoort DS RS, weren't mass-produced cars, but vehicles built in significantly less than 50 units. The GT2 RS improved the GT2's lap time by no fewer than 13 seconds and it remained Porsche's fastest car on the "Green Hell" until the 918 Spyder's 6:57-minute record in 2013.

Despite being that powerful and quick, the GT2 RS has a fuel consumption of only 11.9 liters per km, which converts to around 19.7 mpg.

In order to handle the extra grunt, the RS received a revised suspension system, wider wheels, new anti-rolls bars and engine mounts, the Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Stability Management (PSM). The lightweight wheels were wrapped in specially design sports tires, while stopping power was provided by Porsche's composite ceramic brakes with Brembo six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers to the rear.

Pricing

When launched in 2010, the 911 GT2 RS retailed from $245,950 in the United States, 199,500 in Germany, and £164,107 in the United Kingdom, a sticker that made it the most expensive 911 in history and the most expensive vehicle in Porsche lineup at the time. Built in only 500 units and sold out in a matter of months, the GT2 RS has become the most sought-after 997-generation 911, going up in value by a significant amount. In 2015, a model with just over 16,000 miles was auctioned off by Silverstone Auctions for £281,250, which converts to around $404,100.

Racing History

While the 993-generation GT2 saw plenty of action on the track, the lack of success in the late 1990s -- despite an increase in engine displacement -- prompted Porsche to stop supporting the program. Privateers continued to race modified versions of the 996- and 997-gen GT2s, but with mixed success in national series. Despite its race-bred construction, the GT2 RS never had a racing program. However, a car was modified Dutch team Lammertink Racing, which entered it as the GT2 RSR in the 2011 24 Hours of Zolder. Driven by Nol Kohler, Jan Storm, and Patrick Huisman, the RSR nailed the sixth fastest qualifier time, but failed to finish the race.

Competition

2007 Nissan GT-R

Having been developed with the GT-R's Nurburgring lap record in mind, it's only natural to compare the 911 GT2 RS to Nissan's most impressive supercar to date. Launched in 2007, six years after Nissan showcased the GT-R Prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show, the two-door coupe arrived with a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V-6 under the hood. Initially, the GT-R had 478 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, figures that were improved to 523 horsepower and 451 pound-feet and 532 horsepower and 463 pound-feet in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Despite being less powerful than the GT2 RS, the GT-R needed only 3.2 seconds to hit 62 mph and topped out at 193 mph.

Find out more about the Nissan GT-R here.

2008 Dodge Viper ACR

Considered the car that killed the 911 GT2's hopes in endurance racing, the Dodge Viper is also one of the very few road cars that have managed to beat the Porsche on the Nurburgring. The car in question was the SRT-10 ACR based on the second-generation, Phase II Viper build between 2008 and 2010. It had the same V-10 as the standard model with 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet, but it was 40 pounds lighter and its aerodynamic upgrades produced up to 1,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph -- 10 times the downforce of the standard model. In 2010, the Viper ACR lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7:12.13, nearly six seconds quicker than the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

Read more about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR here.

Conclusion

Developed as a Nissan GT-R killer for the Nurburgring, the GT2 RS came as proof that Porsche was capable of developing an even more radical version of the 911. Faster and more powerful than anything before it, including the company's range-topping supercars, the GT2 RS maintained its spot at the top of the Porsche performance line until the 918 Spyder arrived in 2013. This speaks volumes about the incredible capabilities and the efforts behind the GT2 RS project. A new GT2 RS based on the 991-gen 911 will arrive by the end of the decade, but the 997 model will definitely remain one of the most legendary RS-badged Porsches ever built. Maybe it's not as iconic as the Carrera RS 2.7, but it is among the greatest 911s from the Stuttgart-based automaker.

Road & Track Video Review

count=4>

count=4>


>