Porsche 997 GT2 RS

As if the standard 997-generation 911 GT2 was not fast enough, Porsche decided to give the model one final send-off before the introduction of the 991-era car. To celebrate the model’s conclusion, Stuttgart paid homage to the heady days of 1970s road racing and bestowed the new GT2 with the RS, or RennSport, nomenclature.
To start, the 997 GT2 RS would shed a further 70 kilograms from the already featherlight 1,440-kilogram kerb weight of the standard GT2, primarily through the utilisation of additional carbon fibre body panels. At its heart is a new version of the twin-turbo, four-cam six-cylinder developed for the GT1 Le Mans race car. Fitted with new four-valve heads, Variocam Plus, and variable-turbine technology, the modifications brought the engine’s output to an incredible 620 brake horsepower and 516 foot-pounds of torque.

This increase in power output, decrease in weight, and special attention paid to aerodynamics (highlighted by the GT2 RS’ imposing bi-plane rear spoiler) allowed for drastic increases in performance. Porsche’s figures revealed that, a sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h would take just 3.5 seconds, but many reviewers believed that to be a conservative estimate. If one was brave enough to continue accelerating, the GT2 RS was rated with a top speed of 330 km/h. The performance was halted by the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system, the Porsche Active Suspension Management system, and stability control. Perhaps the car’s most impressive performance figure was its lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife: 7 minutes and 18 seconds, faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari 488 GTB, Maserati MC12, Bugatti Veyron 16.4, and Lexus LFA Nürburgring.
Car & Driver had its take on the car in 2011, writing: ‘Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS is a brute, lightweight, twin-turbocharged 620-horsepower bout of madness that stemmed from Stuttgart’s quest to see how high up the sports-car ladder the 911 could punch. Overpowered almost to a fault and with enough grip to peel lane markings off the pavement, it is the most serious road-going Porsche ever.’

Produced in October 2011, the 911 GT2 RS offered here is a Swiss-delivery example and numbered 149 of just 500 manufactured. It is handsomely presented in the quintessential Porsche color of Carrera White over a black Alcantara and leather interior. Performance furnishings abound with a limited-slip rear differential lock, fuel cooling system, exterior carbon fibre package, 90-litre fuel tank, tyre pressure monitoring system, and, of course, Porsche’s vaunted ceramic composite braking and active suspension management control systems.

Equipped with the Clubsport package, a factory safety cage greets the driver, as does the thicker, Alcantara-wrapped, GT3-spec steering wheel. Alcantara is found lavished throughout the cabin from the headliner to the center console, door panels, gearshift lever, and seat inserts. Guards Red seat belts flank the carbon fibre sport seats while a Schroth six-point safety harness is fitted. All instrument dials and dash-mounted stopwatch are faced in black and for added safety, a fire extinguisher is mounted in the passenger footwell.

Other factory options include the Sport Chrono package, exterior carbon fibre package, carbon fibre door thresholds and dash, top tinted windshield, anti-theft system with immobiliser, and silver-painted, 19-inch centre-lock wheels.

Porsche’s most powerful street-legal production car at the time of its unveiling and still a force to be reckoned with today, the 997-generation 911 GT2 RS is not for the faint of heart but will certainly reward those daring enough to get behind the wheel. This low-mileage, track-prepped example represents one of the ultimate renditions of this hallowed Porsche and will make for an excellent addition to any collection, sure to be coveted by enthusiasts for decades to come.