Like many of history’s greatest sports cars, the 911 GT2 was born from the need to meet Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) homologation requirements. That is, if Porsche wanted to use its new 993 platform to compete at the highest levels of GT racing, it was required to produce a certain number of roadgoing examples. Inspired by the 964 Turbo S “Leichtbau”, the 911 GT2 made its debut in 1993, based on the 993-generation 911 chassis and immediately cemented itself as a hallowed model in Porsche’s already rich history. Remaining as a twin-turbocharged, flat-six model since its debut, the GT2 made the jump to water-cooling with the 996-generation in 2001 and then to 997 specification in 2007.
In 2010, Porsche turned the volume even higher with the GT2 RS. The resulting beast was a fitting finale for the 997-generation which, upon its debut, was the most powerful 911 ever produced. The GT2 RS was powered by a new version of the 3.6-litre, twin-turbocharged, four-cam six-cylinder engine, which itself was developed from Porsche’s Le Mans-winning race cars of the late-1990s. Fitted with new four-valve, port-injected cylinder heads, variable valve timing, and variable turbine technology, it produced an eye-watering 620 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Porsche then trimmed 70 kilograms from the GT2’s already thin 1,440 kilogram kerb weight by utilising aluminium doors and lightweight flywheel, as well as additional carbon fibre body panels and trim throughout. Further attention was given to the GT2’s aerodynamics, highlighted by its imposing rear spoiler while Porsche’s state-of-the-art ceramic-composite braking system (PCCB) and active suspension management with stability control (PASM) were tasked with reigning in the car’s immense power.
The resulting performance was nothing short of astounding. 100 km/h could be achieved from a standstill in just 3.3 seconds according to Porsche, with many reviewers finding that time to be a conservative estimate. 160 km/h could be reached in less than seven seconds on its way to a top speed of 335 km/h. Perhaps the car’s most impressive performance figure was its lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife: 7 minutes and 18 seconds, faster even than Porsche’s Carrera GT, the Ferrari 488 GTB, Maserati MC12, Bugatti Veyron 16.4, and Lexus LFA Nürburgring.
The magazine Car & Driver summed up 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 roadgoing Porsche ever.’
Ordered 10 July 2010 and delivered exactly three months later in October, the GT2 RS on offer here is the 184th of just 500 produced. A German-delivery example, the car was supplied through Porsche Zentrum Wuppertal and handsomely finished in GT Silver Metallic. The Porsche’s sport bucket seats feature the Porsche Crest embossed into the headrests and are trimmed in black leather with red Alcantara inserts. Red and black Alcantara is found lavished throughout the cabin from the dash to the steering wheel, door panels, and headliner.
Extensively specified, this GT2 RS boasts the EZD Extended Carbon package, cupholders, cruise control, Sound Package Plus, Sport Chrono Package Plus, Vehicle Tracking System preparation, automatic dimming mirrors with rain sensor, Porsche Communication Management with Extended Navigation, and Bluetooth interface. Having resided in Germany since its first delivery, this Porsche GT2 RS has had limited use shows just 7,482 kilometres at the time of cataloging.
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 GT2 RS is not for the faint of heart but will certainly reward those daring enough to get behind the wheel. This low-mileage, highly specified, and unique example of the ultimate rendition of the 997-generation 911 will make for a wonderful addition to any collection and will be coveted by enthusiasts for decades to come.