Porsche 997 GT2

When the 997 replaced the 996 in the summer of 2004, Porsche responded to customer criticism that it had broken too sharply with tradition. The new design deliberately referenced the icons of the past, while state-of-the-art technology found its way under the bodywork. With the 997.2 facelift from 2008, direct injection, a new dual-clutch transmission, and improved chassis solutions were added—but in the world of high-performance 911s, the GT2 remained a special case. While the GT3 and Turbo sought different paths between the racetrack and everyday life, the GT2 defined the absolute end of the scale: maximum performance, minimum compromise.

The first 997 GT2 appeared in 2007, continuing an exclusive tradition that had begun with the 993 GT2 in the 1990s. Unlike the all-wheel-drive Turbo, the GT2 deliberately dispensed with front-wheel drive and consistently relied on rear-wheel drive – a bold move given its enormous power output. The 3.6-liter boxer engine with twin turbochargers delivered 530 hp, a figure that commanded respect even in the super sports car segment at the time. Combined with a curb weight of well under 1,500 kilograms, the result was a vehicle that impressed less with comfort than with pure driving dynamics.

But the GT2 was never just a question of numbers. Its character differed fundamentally from the "civilized" Turbo. Whereas the latter conveyed safety through all-wheel drive and electronic aids, the GT2 demanded respect, concentration, and driving skill. The steering was more direct, the suspension stiffer, and the interior reduced to the essentials. Lightweight construction measures such as carbon parts, reduced insulation, and the deliberate restriction to a manual six-speed transmission underlined its claim to be a true driver's car. At a time when electronics were increasingly taking over, the GT2 remained a statement for the mechanical purity of the sports car.