911 GT2 RS is the most powerful 911 ever
GOODWOOD , U.K. • Porsche picked the Goodwood Festival of Speed to reveal two new editions of the 911. Both can be likened to being a sledge hammers in a silk purse.
The 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, which we’ve already met, packs a 607-horsepower punch. To state the obvious, it’s mighty and then some. However, midway through the keynote speech, Mark Webber — racer- turnedPorsche Ambassador — went roaring past the stage at an ungodly rate of knots and an exhaust tone like that of a rabid pit bull, ushering in the all-new 911 GT2 RS.
The GT2 RS becomes the most powerful Porsche ever released — the 3.8- litre flat six and its two turbochargers pump out 700 horsepower and 553 pound- feet of torque anywhere between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. A part of the reason for the outrageous number is the fact the intercoolers have a water injection system to cool them further, which allowed the turbo’s wick to be cranked up to a maximum pressure of 22.7 psi. Gulp!
The power is relayed to the rear wheels through a sevenspeed twin- clutch transmission — sorry, no manual here — and the widest tires ever installed on a Porsche. The front tires measure a substantial P265/ 30R20. At the back, they blossom to a full P325/30R21.
The lightweight design delivers a ride that tips the scales at just 1,470 kilograms, and the optional Weissach package trims that by a further 30 kg. The latter sees more carbon- fibre components, including the rear driveshafts, and it has magnesium wheels, which cuts the unsprung mass. In stock form, the 911 GT2 RS has a power-to-weight ratio of one horsepower for each 2.1 kg ( 2.05 kg/hp in Weissach guise).
The GT2 RS has a top speed of 340 km/h and runs from rest to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. And it does not stop there; it hits 200 km/h in 8.3 seconds, which is faster than most mortal rides take to get to half the speed. Even Webber was forced to admit it is a wonderful brute that requires a masterful hand to keep things gathered up and pointed in the right direction. On the back straight at the Nürburgring, he pulled a cool 336 km/h, producing a significant “pucker factor,” according to Webber.
The rest of it is just as exotic. Of course, there is a full aero kit, including a monster rear wing to go along with oversized air intakes and vents atop the front fenders. It also steers all four wheels, and has adaptive dampers plus monster carbon-ceramic brakes with six- piston front calipers and four-piston units at the back.
The cabin is truly sweet. It has two deep- dish sport buckets finished with an open carbon weave and black leather that’s complemented by the burning red Alcantara accents. Now, the fact it is a race-bred ride does not mean it skimps on luxury; there is navigation and Porsche’s clever Track Precision app, which records a lap in real time and overlays the video with data gathered from the car. This allows a would- be racer to parse a hot lap and pinpoint where to push a little harder.
Finally, what would a rare car be without its very own watch? In this case, it was styled by Porsche Design and uses the division’s first movement. Only those who purchase the 911 GT2 RS can get the watch.