700 horsepower Porsche GT2 RS is the wildest 911 ever
Fri, Jun 30 2017
Power comes from a highly massaged version of the 3.8-liter flat-six from the 911 Turbo S. The rear-mounted engine makes an outrageous 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Like we previously reported, the new car will use water injection to help keep things cool. The only transmission is Porsche's PDK. While enthusiasts may lament the loss of the manual, the RS models have always been about performance above all else. Simply put, the PDK is the better performance option. All that power translates to a 0-60 mph time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 211 mph.
The engine makes 80 more horsepower than the previous model. That makes it the most powerful road-going 911 ever built. In fact, the 887 horsepower 918 Spyder is the only road-going Porsche that makes more power. The fact that Porsche trusts all of that power to go to the rear is both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. In order to manage traction, the GT2 RS gets a number of upgrades. Rear-wheel steering has become commonplace in the 911 lineup, so it's no surprise to see it here. Sticky tires with 265/35 ZR 20 section rubber at the front and 325/30 ZR 21 section rubber at the rear keep things planted. That comically large rear wing adds downforce, adding to stability.
The car gets standard carbon ceramic brakes. While some people prefer traditional rotors for the street, like the PDK, this is all about performance. A number of intakes and outlets complement the rear wing and maximize aerodynamic efficiency. It's a bit of a surprise that with all the focus on downforce, the GT2 RS still manages to top out at 211 mph. The hood, front wings, wheel housing vents, door mirrors, side air intakes, parts of the rear end, and a number of interior components are all made from carbon fiber. The roof has been made of magnesium.
If you want to drop any pretense of civility and comfort in the pursuit of speed, Porsche is offering a Weissach package that shaves off another 40 pounds from the already impressive wet weight of 3,241. Named after the famed Porsche test track (the 918 Spyder had a similar package with the same name), the package swaps in lightweight materials for a number of parts. The roof, anti-roll bar, and coupling rods are all carbon fiber. Magnesium wheels help reduce unsprung weight. A body-colored stripe is placed along the center of the car atop the black hood, roof, and luggage compartment.
As expected with any RS model, the new GT2 RS has been stripped down to the bare essentials inside. Red Alcantara and black leather trim comes standard. There are a number of carbon fiber trim pieces throughout. The rear seat has been replaced with a cage, providing rollover protection and improved rigidity. The Chrono Package adds some new functions to the infotainment display, a stopwatch with both analog and digital displays, and a lap trigger. The trigger can be used with the Porsche Track Precision app to set markers on tracks to record lap times.
All of this hardware doesn't come cheap. The GT2 RS is available to order with a base MSRP of $294,250 including the $1,050 delivery fee. It is the most powerful and range-topping 911, so the price isn't that much of a surprise. The Weissach package is an additional $31,000.
Porsche says it will reach U.S. dealers in early 2018.
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By Reese Counts
See also: Sell Your Own: 2006 Pontiac GTO, 'We're not a hedge fund': Porsche plans to curtail speculators and flippers, 'We're not a hedge fund': Porsche plans to curtail speculators and flippers.