Porsche and 700 hp ... no sports car fan in the world can deny how perfectly those two terms blend together. The all-new Porsche 911 GT2 RS doesn't just blend them, it smashes them together in a thunderous display of ferocious motoring. With all that power at its rear wheels, a race-derived chassis, lightweight aerodynamics and rear-wheel steering, the all-new 911 GT2 RS is the fastest, most powerful street-legal 911 of all time. All hail the new king of the 911 world.
Goodwood welcomed the Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro on opening Thursday, leaving us eager for something with a similar level of attitude, only built for the street, not track alone. The 911 GT2 RS fits the bill brilliantly and is sure to be among the most talked-about cars at a fest full of cars worth talking about.
Relying on the same 3.8-liter flat-six as the 911 Turbo S, the GT2 RS enjoys a big power boost courtesy of larger twin turbochargers and an added cooling system that sprays water on the intercoolers, optimizing power output under extreme conditions. Those upgrades help the engine push up to 700 hp and 553 lb-ft out to the rear wheels by way of a customized GT seven-speed PDK transmission.
Not only does the GT2 RS' power soar 120 hp over the 911 Turbo S, it leaps a full 80 hp above the previous GT2 RS, which Porsche brought to light in 2010. In those pre-918 Spyder days, that particular 911 was presented to power-hungry Porsche fanatics as Porsche's most powerful road car ever, period, full stop. The new 911 GT2 RS doesn't quite have the power reserves to best the 887-hp 918, but it is a helluva lot more powerful than the average 911.
When it comes to unleashing all that power on the track and street, the flat-six engine is helped out by some lost weight. A new titanium sports exhaust drops 15 lb (6.8 kg) as compared to the Turbo S exhaust, and a magnesium roof and copious amounts of carbon fiber around the likes of the hood, front fenders and mirror caps shave total weight down to 3,241 lb (1,470 kg). The available Weissach package with its magnesium wheels and additional carbon fiber leaves close to another 40 lb (18.1 kg) in the rear-view. That all boils down to a 2.7-second 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) and 211 mph (340 km/h) top speed.
The GT2 RS' race-bred chassis, rear-axle steering and 265/35 ZR 20 front and 325/30 ZR 21 rear ultra high-performance ensure that it's as lively through the twists as it is on the straights. Porsche has tuned the stability management system to further promote a sharp, sporty ride, and drivers can opt to shut it off in two stages, cutting stability control alone or both stability control and traction control. Standard ceramic-composite brakes send those big tires screeching to halt.
Helping the GT2 manage the different demands of high speeds and precise handling, Porsche shapes airflow with a rear wing, rear diffuser, large front and side intakes, a front spoiler, carbon trunk ram-air scoops, wide side skirts, hood vents and carbon wheel-arch vents. Those aerodynamics also give the car its no-nonsense, track-oriented look, with help from all the visible carbon.
The driver and passenger won't likely forget they're in a GT2 RS thanks to the explosion of red Alcantara inside. The sporty bucket seats with carbon fiber-reinforced backrests also contribute to the distinctive look, and the black leather and carbon trim provide some contrast. The Porsche Communication Management system hosts infotainment, and the available Chrono package adds a performance display with lap info and a dash-mounted stopwatch.
The 2018 911 GT2 RS is available for order now, starting at US$293,200 before $1,050 delivery fee. It will roll into US dealerships early next year.
As it did with the recently announced 911 Turbo S Exclusive, Porsche Design has developed an exclusive chronograph designed to match the car. Offered only to 911 GT2 RS buyers, this timepiece features Porsche Design-developed clock movement, a titanium housing, a carbon fiber face, and colors to match the car. It can be customized by each buyer alongside the car.
Source: Porsche
