Porsche

911 GT2 RS

Porsche 911 GT2 RS: The King of the Ring

For decades, the “GT2” badge on a Porsche 911 meant one thing: danger. The original 993 GT2 was nicknamed “The Widowmaker” because it combined massive turbo power with a short wheelbase and no stability control. It demanded respect, or it would bite you.

The 991.2 GT2 RS, launched in 2017, is different. It is still a monster with 700 horsepower going to the rear wheels, but it is a precision instrument. It doesn’t just want to kill you; it wants to kill lap records. And it did. In September 2017, it circled the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:47.3, smashing the production car record and beating the Lamborghini Huracán Performante by 5 seconds.

The Engine: Water Injection Technology

The 3.8-liter flat-six is based on the 911 Turbo S engine but significantly modified.

  • Larger Turbos: The Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) turbochargers are larger to push more air.
  • The Problem: Compressing that much air creates immense heat. Hot air is less dense, meaning less power. The intercoolers couldn’t keep up.
  • The Solution: Porsche engineers added a Water Injection System. Distilled water is sprayed directly onto the intercoolers when the intake temperature exceeds 50°C. This evaporates instantly, cooling the air by up to 20°C.
  • The Tank: There is a 5-liter tank of distilled water in the “frunk” (front trunk) that needs to be refilled every few laps on track or every few tanks of gas on the road. If it runs dry, the engine simply dials back the power to safe levels.

Weissach Package: The Obsessive Option

To get the most out of the car, most buyers opted for the Weissach Package ($31,000 option). This wasn’t just a cosmetic upgrade; it was a diet.

  • Weight Saving: It shaves 30 kg off the car.
  • Magnesium Wheels: The wheels are made of forged magnesium (saving 11.5 kg of unsprung mass).
  • Carbon Fiber: The roof, anti-roll bars, and even the paddle shifters are made of carbon fiber.
  • Titanium Cage: The roll cage is made of titanium instead of steel.
  • Visuals: It adds a massive “PORSCHE” script on the rear wing and exposed carbon stripes on the hood and roof.

Aerodynamics and Downforce

The GT2 RS generates 416 kg of downforce at top speed. It looks like a race car because it essentially is one.

  • NACA Ducts: The bonnet features two massive NACA ducts to cool the brakes. This required completely redesigning the front trunk area.
  • Rear Wing: The rear wing is manually adjustable. In its most aggressive setting, it acts like an anchor in corners.
  • Manthey Racing Kit: For those who found the standard car too slow (!), Manthey Racing (part-owned by Porsche) released an upgrade kit in 2021. This kit allowed the car to lap the Nürburgring in 6:43.3, reclaiming the record from the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.

Driving Experience

Driving the GT2 RS is a physical experience.

  • Acceleration: It hits 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 8.3 seconds. The acceleration is violent and relentless.
  • Sound: Unlike the muffled sound of most turbo cars, the GT2 RS uses a titanium exhaust system that barks, pops, and bangs like a rally car.
  • Handling: Despite having the engine in the rear, the front end grip is tenacious. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires are essentially slicks with grooves.
  • PDK Only: Unlike previous GT2s, there is no manual option. The PDK shifts are so fast and violent in “Sport Plus” mode that they upset the chassis less than a human shift would.

Conclusion

The 911 GT2 RS is the ultimate expression of the internal combustion 911. It proved that a rear-engine car could defeat mid-engine exotics costing three times as much. It is the alpha predator of the Porsche food chain.