The Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance, track-focused sports car built by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1993 to 2009, and then since 2010 as the GT2 RS. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine enhancements, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration. The GT2 is significantly lighter than the Turbo due to its use of rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive system and the reduction or removal of interior components. As a result, the GT2 (now GT2 RS) is the most expensive and fastest model among the 911 lineup.
993 generation
The 993 GT2 was initially built in order to meet homologation requirements for GT2 class racing. Because the cars were built to meet the GT2 class regulations, the road cars were named accordingly (but badged as the 911 GT). The 993 GT2 featured widened plastic fenders and a larger rear wing with air scoops in the struts for improved engine cooling. The 993 GT2's original engine generated a maximum power output of ; in 1998 it was upgraded to . 57 road cars were built (thirteen of which were right-hand drive).
Technical specifications
Configuration: Air-cooled twin-turbocharged 2 valves per cylinder Porsche flat-six engine Displacement: Bore × stroke: × Maximum power: at 6,000 rpm Specific power: Maximum torque: at 3,500 rpm (1998 MY) Specific torque: Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Front track: Rear track: Curb weight: Power-to-weight ratio: 259.2 W/kg (6.34 lb/hp) Top Speed: 0–97 km/h (60 mph): 3.9 seconds 0–161 km/h (100 mph): 8.7 seconds 1/4 mile (402 m): 12.1 seconds at
996 generation
In 1999, the 993 was replaced with the new 996 model. The new GT2 took two years to develop and during that time, Porsche decided to abandon the GT2 for motorsports use, instead concentrating on competing in GT3 class racing with the new naturally aspirated 911 GT3.
Developed primarily as a road car in contrast to its predecessor, the new GT2 featured a twin-turbocharged version of the GT3's flat-six engine. It generated a maximum output of , which was later increased to . Like the 993 GT2, the body of the 996 GT2 differed significantly from those of other 996 variants; major differences included wider fenders, a more aggressively shaped nose, and a large rear wing.
According to road testing performed by Car and Driver magazine, the GT2 suffers from hardly any turbo lag. Despite a 10-millimeter reduction in ride height from the 911 Turbo, the drag coefficient is slightly higher — vs. the Turbo's 0.33 — due to the fixed rear wing.
Technical specifications
Configuration: Water-cooled twin-turbocharged Porsche flat-six engine
Valvetrain: DOHC 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement: Bore × stroke: × Compression ratio: 9.4:1 Maximum power: at 5,700 rpm Specific power: Maximum torque: at 3,500 rpm Specific torque: Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Front track: Rear track: Curb weight: Drag coefficient: 0.34 Fuel capacity: Power-to-weight ratio: 248.3 W/kg (6.63 lb/hp) Top speed: 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 4.1 seconds–3.9 seconds 0–200 km/h (124 mph): 13.9 seconds–12.2 seconds 1/4 mile (402 m): 12.1 seconds
997 generation
The 996 GT2 was superseded by the 997 GT2 in 2007 after a brief hiatus, with cars arriving at dealerships in November 2007 after an official launch at the 62nd Frankfurt Motor Show.
The GT2's engine was based on the flat-6 engine as seen on the Turbo, but featured two variable geometry turbochargers. The engine generated a maximum power output of at 6,500 rpm and of torque at 2,200 rpm. The GT2 accelerated from 0 to in 3.6 seconds and on to in 10.6 seconds, and had a maximum top speed of . This made it the third Porsche production road car to exceed the barrier, with the exception of the 1998 911 GT1 (of which only 20 units were produced for street use, solely to satisfy ACO homologation requirements for racing).
The American automotive magazine Motor Trend tested a 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 and achieved a acceleration time of 3.3 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds at . The GT2 also recorded a braking distance from 60 to 0 mph of , and 1.10g of lateral grip.
The appearance of the 997 GT2 once again differed from its sister car, the 997 Turbo. It had a revised front lip, a newly designed rear wing with two small air inlets on either side, and a revised rear bumper featuring titanium exhaust pipes and shark fin outlets.
German Porsche test driver Walter Röhrl lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife on a public day in 7 minutes, 32 seconds in the 997 GT2.
A total of 194 units were sold in the United States and 19 units in Canada.