Porsche 997 GT2 RS

The vehicle in detail

Porsche are the masters of sending a beloved generation out with a bang and the 2011 models shined brighter than any year before. Hot on the heels of the first Exclusive Manufaktur series production car, the 2010 911 Sport Classic, came the 2011 Speedster, limited to 356 examples worldwide. Next, they debuted an unexpected and limited edition RS, the GT3 RS 4.0 in a series of 600 to put an exclamation point on the normally aspirated 997-generation RS series. Special cars to be sure! However, Porsche and the turbocharging of their most athletic 911s go hand-in-hand with the quest for more power, leading to the creation of the sublime 911 GT2 RS.

Straight away it was noteworthy that Porsche deemed the latest GT2 worthy of the esteemed RS designation. The new GT2 RS was Porsche’s most potent street car on debut and served as the ultimate send-off for the 997-generation 911 with a very limited 500 units produced with just 132 delivered through PCNA to the United States. The base GT2 RS (if you could call it that) is particularly impressive. A GT1-derived 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six produced 620 horsepower—an astounding 172 horsepower per liter. A single-mass flywheel, centerlock wheels, carbon fiber hood, aluminum suspension components, and lighter carpeting among other features shaved over 150 pounds. Add in carbon ceramic brakes and the lightweight and engaging six-speed manual transmission GT2 RS rocketed off the line to a gearing-limited 206 miles per hour and a Carrera GT-besting Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes and 18 seconds. The 997.2 GT2 RS was a performance beast upon its debut and in short time, one of the most collectible 911s ever produced.

This example, the final 997-generation 911 GT2 RS produced as denoted by the unique matte black “500 / 500” on lower door script and engine lid and engraved on its glovebox-mounted limitation number plaque, is perhaps the most collectible of all. The car was delivered through Schneider Nelson Porsche (now Porsche Monmouth) with a build specification attractive in its cohesive simplicity. It melded its exterior and interior dark carbon fiber accents and carbon front hood with optional non-metallic Black paint and gloss Black painted center lock wheels over a full Black leather and Alcantara interior. According to the original window sticker additional factory fitted and Exclusive options included auto-dimming mirrors with rain sensor, Sport Chrono Package without PCM, Sound Package Plus, and a lightweight lithium-ion battery for a total MSRP of $259,375.

As a highly-collectible 911 from day one, GT2 RS number 500 has led a pampered life, with its CARFAX indicating initial ownership in New Jersey. In 2013, with only 131 miles on the odometer, it was sold through Porsche North Houston with its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report indicating ownership in Canada for the next four years with a scant 60 miles added in that time. The car returned to the U.S. in 2016 with 199 miles on the odometer, later trading once again, through Porsche North Houston landing in California with continuous servicing by Hoehn Porsche between 2017 and 2021. Today, this apex predicator of the 997-generation is offered with 379 miles on its odometer at the time of cataloging and its Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity, original window sticker, owner’s manuals, tire inflator, and lightweight lithium-ion battery.

The 911 GT2 RS stands as the pinnacle of the 997-generation platform, distinguished as Porsche’s most potent road car equipped with a manual transmission, surpassing even the V10-powered Carrera GT super sportscar. Thirteen years since its debut, the GT2 RS—often dubbed Der Witwenmacher for its raw power, lightweight build, and manual transmission—continues to deliver an indelible driving experience. It is well known that the 911 has been sharpened and honed over decades since its debut in 1964. For many, the 2011 911 GT2 RS represents the finest combination of analog experience and outright power ever made, signaling the end of an era that is now highly prized by collectors, promising to captivate its next owner, whatever their driving ambitions may be.