What is it?
Legalised insanity from those wacky folk in Porsche’s Motorsport department or, to put it another way, the maddest production car ever to wear the shield of Stuttgart on its nose. And, no, we haven’t forgotten the Carrera GT. This new GT2 RS is a smidge lighter, a touch more powerful and a vast amount more torquey even than Porsche’s street-spec Le Mans car of 2003.
To achieve that Porsche married the twin turbo 3.6-litre motor from the outgoing GT2 to a substantially modified version of ultra-hardcore chassis of the current GT3 RS. Then, just to make sure the union got off with a bang, it upped the boost of the motor from 1.4 to 1.6bar, neatly liberating another 88bhp to finally gain entry for the 911 to the rather exclusive club of standard production cars with over 600bhp - 611bhp, to be precise.
See the test pics of the 911 GT2 RS
But this gives no impression of the true potential on tap and for two reasons. First, it gives no account of torque which, when 516lb ft of the stuff sits under your right foot at 2250rpm, is kind of hard to ignore. For comparison’s sake, the Ferrari 458 Italia that everyone’s going to compare the GT2 RS with has just 398lb ft, and you have to wait until the engine is spinning at a dizzying 6000rpm before it can be accessed.
The second unavoidable consideration is weight; at 1370kg, the GT2 RS is not only 70kg lighter than the old GT2, it is also 115kg lighter than the 458. Get this for a fact: not even Ferrari’s 599 GTO can get anywhere near the power-to-weight ratio of this Porsche. But the Porsche costs a little over £164,000, the Ferrari a little less than £300,000.
What’s it like?
Rather boring - if you happen to be an astronaut, top fuel dragster driver or land speed record holder. For the rest of us it shouldn’t come with GT2 RS decals down the side but government health warnings. Those of a nervous disposition or in less-than-complete cardiac health really should avoid this car like a seafood stall in downtown Cairo.
The problem is, it actually appears comparatively tame at first. It makes a lot less noise than the standard GT3 you can buy for half the money, and responds to your first tentative prods of the accelerator rather gently. Conceivably this is a car you could use everyday thanks to a firm but supple ride, tolerable noise levels in the cabin (it’s quieter by far than a Boxster Spyder with the roof up) and Porsche’s typically effective driving environment.
Join the debate
beachland2
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
article hasn't been proof read.
carnut
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
OHHHH........what a beast!!!!!!!!!!! This will be the last of the breed....if the 918 is gonna be a hybrid...this will be the last of the ultimate Porsche......
Juzoik
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
sounds like a riot. i just love this thing. i drove behind an 09 reg GT2 the other day and i was just smiling all the way until he took his exit. docile looking but one twitch of the right and he was gone. i can't afford one but if i could i'd have one without thinking twice. i'm just glad it exists.
CAT3
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Absolutely Incredible, although I anticipate much Porsche drubbing shortly by misguided Porsche haters - just a matter of time.
All this car needs now is some aftermarket exhaust maker (company like Akrapovic) to make this car sound fruitier and you have close to the perfect hypercar. The speed is insane for £165K. I mean it's quicker than everything except Maclaren F1 / Buggatti Veyron/ Fastest Koeniggsegg etc. 0 - 124mph (200kph) in 9.8s is untouchable. Ironic that these are similar figures to MP4-12C. Clearly Porsche's reposte to that car and should make an interesting comparison along with 458Italia.
Having said that, would still take a GT3RS for noise and throttle response.
FriendlyFisherman
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Hats off to Porsche its a very, very good car, stunning performance. To add a little balance it is a track car in reality. It doesn't have the useability of a Ferrari 458 or the MP4 12C so I wouldn't think they are too worried about competing with it. Although the 458 CS has its work cut out.
Sadly it just doesn't do much for me, I will wait until a tuning firm paints it bright blue with a stripe or two and some gold wheels.
Nappeunnom
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
[quote CAT3] Clearly Porsche's reposte to that car and should make an interesting comparison along with 458Italia.[/quote]
Maybe against a 458 CS/Scuderia. I think the McLaren MP4-12C is a more direct rival as it also incorporates twin turbos. The Porsche already has the McLaren beaten before it's been released, by 19bhp and 74lbft of torque.
dutchmaestro
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
[quote FriendlyFisherman]It doesn't have the useability of a Ferrari 458 or the MP4 12C [/quote]
the old barnacle has just jumped the shark.
the writer, Frankel, went out of his way to emphasise just how inordinately usable this car is and then this tit happens along and states up is down.
if there's one thing you can rely on on Autocar forums it is the bile that seeps out from the inadequates on Germanic products and the converse gushings, like that of teenage girls, on patent tat from certain makers and nations. FFS, grow up or go forth and multiply.
Woigookin
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
[quote FriendlyFisherman]some gold wheels[/quote]
Nothing wrong with gold wheels. Some RAYS and Enkeis look great on DC2 Integras and EG/EK Civics, especially 15"/16".
Chrome alloys on the other hand...........
FriendlyFisherman
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
[quote Woigookin][quote FriendlyFisherman]some gold wheels[/quote]
Nothing wrong with gold wheels. Some RAYS and Enkeis look great on DC2 Integras and EG/EK Civics, especially 15"/16".
Chrome alloys on the other hand...........
[/quote]
Just a little dig at the odd article we get of some truly hideous German tuning firms. Nothing wrong with a subtle set of wheels that match or bring out the car a little more, but boy some of them are bad!
Woigookin
Re: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
[quote FriendlyFisherman]Just a little dig at the odd article we get of some truly hideous German tuning firms. Nothing wrong with a subtle set of wheels that match or bring out the car a little more, but boy some of them are bad![/quote] Fair point ;)
Pages
Add your comment