In the unlikely scenario that the standard version of the 911 GT2 is considered too mundane, the only remedy to consider is the GT2 RS. In creating the ‚RS‘ variant, the already lightweight GT2 saw an additional 154 pounds removed due to the increasing use of carbon fiber, bringing the weight to just 3,021 pounds. The engine was a retuned version of the GT1 Le Mans racing car’s twin-turbo, four-cam six-cylinder. New four-valve cylinder heads with Variocam-Plus and variable-geometry turbochargers produced an astonishing 620 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, making the RS a fitting send-off for the 997 generation of 911.
The aerodynamics of the GT2 were further refined and most prominently featured the bi-plane rear spoiler, which only aided this car with outstanding driving characteristics. From a standing start, 60 mph can be achieved in as little as 3.3 seconds, according to Porsche, with 100 mph happening just over ten seconds later as the car continues sprinting to its top speed of 209 mph. Bringing this much power and speed to a rapid halt are Porsche’s signature bright yellow brake calipers, which denote the unique PCCB ceramic brake system as well as PASM adaptive suspension. With a car exuding this much sporting potential in its DNA, it is almost certain to set impressive lap times…and that, it did!. At the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife, it beat the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Ferrari 488 GTB, Lexus LFA Nürburgring, and the Maserati MC12 with a time of just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.
This particular GT2 RS is the 472nd example built out of a total of 500 for global consumption, with only 138 ever being sold in the United States. It is finished in a classic Porsche color scheme of GT Silver Metallic over a Black leather interior. It was additionally ordered with leather adaptive sports seats with Alcantara inserts, a thick padded steering wheel trimmed in black Alcantara, center lock wheels finished in black, a PCM navigation system finished in GT Silver Metallic, the Sport Chrono Package Plus, and several additional options totaling over $16,000. The car was subsequently fitted with an AWW exhaust system but it should be noted the original system is included with the car’s sale, should the next owner prefer to revert to the factory unit.
Production of this car was completed in December 2010 before it was shipped to the United States and first sold at Cherry Hill Imports of New Jersey in August 2011. It spent the following four years in Pennsylvania, covering only 3,200 miles before being acquired by the second owner in Connecticut, where it would remain for the following two years. The car was subsequently sold to a Southern California-based Porsche enthusiast before its acquisition by the original and current owner in early 2022 with only 4,500 miles indicated; as presented, this 997 GT2 RS displays only 4,378 miles.
Even today, the 997 GT2 RS offers performance levels and driving dynamics that are unlikely ever to be repeated. It was the most powerful, street-legal Porsche of its time, benefitting not only from blistering acceleration and the sophisticated engineering necessary for besting its competition on the Nürburgring, but most attractively, it was built with a manual transmission. Much like Thor’s hammer, in the hands of a skilled driver, this GT2 RS is truly an unbeatable track weapon.