(2018 – 2019) Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) – Ultimate Guide
The rear-engine, rear-wheel drive GT2 RS celebrated its official world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK which took place from June 30th to July 2nd, 2017. It was here that the world was first introduced to Porsche’s fastest and most powerful street-legal 911 ever made. A few months later, the same car would go on to smash the lap record at the what has become the de facto manufacturers’ testing grounds – a place where those who reigned supreme earned bragging rights in the industry.
With a Nurburgring time of 6 minutes 47.3 seconds, it completed the ‘ring 5 seconds faster than the Lamborghini Huracán Performante and 10 seconds faster than Porsche’s own million dollar 918 Spyder. Suffice to say, the 911 GT2 RS now sits on the throne – equipped with its 3.8L flat-six twin-turbocharged 700 horsepower engine – with an unquestionable legitimacy to its claim. It didn’t get to the top with brute force alone – the GT2 RS is built to be as dexterous as it is powerful. Extensive work was done on the chassis to ensure that the agility and precision of the car were not overwhelmed by its own muscle, but rather, complemented by it.
Engine & Performance
The GT2 RS in its entirety is more closely based on a Turbo S than it is to its closest GT relative, the 911 GT3 RS. Afterall, at the heart of the GT2 is a revamped version of the Turbo S engine, while the GT3 has its own unique naturally aspirated 4.0L power plant.
The 3.8L flat-six was fitted with larger variable-geometry turbos and was given an increase in peak boost to 22.5 psi, which is 24% higher than the Turbo S. Larger intercoolers, a water-spray system, larger exhaust manifold primaries and redesigned pistons work in synergy with the aforementioned to provide the GT2 RS with 700 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque. Porsche has long buried the traditional notion of “turbo-lag” in its cars with VarioCam Plus and the GT2 RS is no different, making peak torque from 2,250 rpm to 4,000 rpm.
To accommodate what is a 120 horsepower increase over the Turbo S, the 7-speed PDK transmission was also beefed up. Porsche does not offer a manual transmission option for the GT2 RS, which is sensible given that the dual clutch transmission is the best (and therefore, only) choice for delivering power to the rear wheels for this application.
The resulting figures are impressive, to put it mildly; Porsche states that the GT2 RS is able to sprint from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-100 mph in 5.8 seconds, 0-124 mph in 8.3 seconds and has a top speed of 211 mph. Independent tests have shown that Porsche has understated these figures.
Matt Prior (Autocar): …more responsiveness again out of the lighter, revvier GT3 on track. And you’d get a suppleness and sufficient involvement from a GT3, or even a GTS, on the road that makes the GT2 RS a car for certain conditions… It is not, to my mind, the 911 defined as the perfect sports car. It’s a car for ridiculous circumstances. And, in those, there’s still nothing else quite like it…
Chassis & Handling
Improvements to the chassis are certainly no less impressive than those made to the engine. Virtually no part of the GT2 RS has been overlooked with regards to delivering the driver to the limits of dynamic driving performance.
The front axle utilizes a MacPherson strut suspension with helper springs and wheels independently suspended on the trailing arms and wishbones. A multi-link axle with helper springs and subframe setup is used for the rear.
Ride height, camber, wheel track and stabilizers can be adjusted individually by the driver – very useful features for specifically setting the car up for track use. For the first time in a street legal Porsche vehicle, all chassis joints have been replaced by ball joints which improve rigidity and feedback from the chassis. Porsche states that this ensures “accurate, sharp and direct road holding. And for total emotional contact”.
Top Gear: The result is a sensationally fast car, one that’s also far sharper, more drivable and controllable than it has any right to be. It doesn’t feel electronically managed either, not for a second, but wonderfully mechanical… For me, the toughest rival comes from within – the GT3 RS. Given a straight choice, I think I’d still go for the nat asp GT3, although that would mean foregoing the mad turbo headbang…
Porsche engineers weren’t void of all sense of practicality on the street either. An optional lift system on the front axle lifts the front bumper by 1.2” and is functional while moving until approximately 37 mph – allowing you to avoid scraping the front bumper over the pesky curbs, ramps or entrances that inundate daily driving.
The standard Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes and rotors provide the stopping power and precision worthy of car’s overall performance. Unfaltering in their duty, they slow the car down with great aplomb and without any hint of brake fade – pedal feedback remains consistent even after repeated moments of substantial braking Gs. Dunlop Sport Maxx Race tires (265/35/20 at the front, 325/30/21 at the rear) translate it all onto the tarmac.
Design, Styling & Interior
Based on the extra-wide body of the 911 Turbo S, the GT2 RS design is one which is race-optimized. Minimum drag, maximum downforce, optimum cooling – all in great abundance and meticulous in detail.
The aerodynamic front bumper ensures optimum cooling and airflow into the radiator while providing massive downforce on the front axle with the attached wide spoiler lip. Large vents placed over the front fender wheel arches assist in ventilating pressure from the rotating wheels. Two ducts on the bonnet, referred to as NACA air intakes, are used to help cool the braking system without reducing the drag coefficient.
At the rear of the car are the very distinguishable side air intakes; located near the rear wheel arches, they provide intercooling and feed extra air into the twin-turbocharged engine. The most notable feature of the car in plain sight would be the fixed carbon rear wing, which enhances much needed aerodynamic downforce over the rear wheels while highlighting the ultra-high performance orientation of this machine.
Car and Driver: The engine fills the cabin with a heavy exhaust note at idle, the rear-mounted flat-six throwing up bass-heavy harmonics under even gentle progress as the ball-jointed suspension can be heard and felt working… If you want the fastest and the most viscerally thrilling version then this is undoubtedly it, the ultimate incarnation of a roadgoing 911 to date.”
Weight is also shaved over the Turbo S through a multitude of upgrades. The absence of the front axle on its own removes over 110 lbs. Naturally, carbon fiber adorns both the exterior and interior – the bonnet, rear bumper, intakes, intercooler, bucket seats, and even paddle shifters, being amongst the many parts not overlooked for the carbon diet.
The standard GT2 RS is 3,241 lbs – a noticeable 286 lbs lighter than the Turbo S. Optional deletion of the air-conditioning and infotainment system will save another 41.9 lbs while the optional Weissach package – which includes magnesium wheels, a titanium roll bar (Europe only) and carbon fibre anti-roll bars – will shed another 60 lbs on top of that.
Performance & Specifications Summary
See Full Technical Specs Sheet
Body, Suspension & Powertrain
| Curb Weight | 1,470 kg (3,241 lbs) |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Body / Frame | Aluminum-steel composite monocoque, carbon fiber elements |
| Suspension (F) | MacPherson strut suspension with helper springs |
| Suspension (R) | Multi-link axle with helper springs and subframe |
| Engine | Flat-6 |
| Position | Boxer, 90° |
| Aspiration | Twin-turbocharged, intercooled |
| Block Material | Aluminum block and heads |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 24-Valve (4 Valves per Cylinder) with VVT & VarioCam Plus |
| Fuel Feed | Direct Fuel Injection |
| Displacement (Litres) | 3.8L |
| Displacement (in³) | 232 in³, 3800 cc |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT with automatic and manual shifting mode (PDK) |
Engine & Output
| Power (hp) | 700 hp @ 7,000 rpm |
| Power (hp) / litre | 184.2 hp / litre |
| Power (hp) / weight | 0.48 hp / kg |
| Torque | 553 lb-ft @ 2,250-4000 rpm |
| Efficiency | 59 hp per l/100 km |
| Average Fuel Consumption | 11.8 l/100 km (combined) |
Performance & Acceleration Stats
| Top speed | 340 km/h |
| 0 – 40 km/h | 1.1 s |
| 0 – 50 km/h | 1.2 s |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 2.8 s |
| 0 – 150 km/h | 5.2 s |
| 0 – 160 km/h | 5.5 s |
| 0 – 200 km/h | 8.1 s |
| 0 – 250 km/h | 13.0 s |
| 0 – 300 km/h | 22.1 s |
| 0 – 60 mph | 2.7 s |
| 0 – 100 mph | 5.8 s |
| 1/8 mile (est.) | 6.9 s @ 111.2 mph |
| 1/4 mile | 10.3 s @ 139.2 mph |
| 1/2 mile (est.) | 16.4 s @ 164.0 mph |
| 1000 m | 18.7 s @ 281.2 km/h |
| 100 – 200 km/h | 5.5 s |
| 200 – 300 km/h | 13.8 s |
| 100 – 0 km/h | 29 m (96 ft) |
| 200 – 0 km/h | 115 m (376 ft) |
| 300 – 0 km/h | 243 m (796 ft) |
| 18 m slalom | 76.5 km/h |
| Nürburgring Lap Time | 6:47.30 (Driver: Lars Kern) |
Pictures
Video Reviews
First up is Matt Prior from Autocar, doing his commentating-while-driving-sketch in a Weissach package equipped GT2 RS. He goes into detail about how “absolutely bang-on” the car is while referring to the RS series’ evolution from a “widow maker” to a refined road carving machine.
Next, is CAR Magazine UK’s Chris Chilton providing his point of view on what he describes as one of “the best driver’s cars in the world”.
What two-time World Rally champion Walter Rohrl has to say, carries a lot of weight. Watch as CarBuzz and Mr. Rohrl show us what the GT2 RS can do on the track at Algarve International Circuit in Portugal.
Last but not least, is Porsche’s official onboard footage of that record-setting lap by Lars Kern at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It even provides some telemetry. Very neat. Very fast. Very g-force.
Press Release
Porsche Unveils The Most Powerful 911 Of All Time, June 30th 2017
The fastest and most powerful road-approved 911 is ready for launch: The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS will celebrate its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK (June 30 to July 2).
At the heart of this high-performance sports car is a 515-kW (700-hp; combined fuel consumption: 11.8 l/100 km; urban: 18.1 l/100 km; extra-urban: 8.2 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: 269 g/km) biturbo flat engine. Weighing in at 1,470 kg with a full fuel tank, the lightweight two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds.
The rear-wheel drive Coupé has a top speed of 340 km/h, and with its near-motorsport drive technology, the new 911 GT2 RS trumps its 3.6-litre predecessor by 59 kW (80 hp) and achieves a torque of 750 Newton meters (an increase of 50 Nm).
The engine builds on that in the 911 Turbo S at 427 kW (580 hp; combined fuel consumption: 9.1 l/100 km; urban: 11.8 l/100 km; extra-urban: 7.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: 212 g/km). In order to increase performance, large turbochargers push an increased volume of process air into the combustion chambers.
A new additional cooling system delivers optimum cooling at peak loads and, at very high temperatures, sprays the charge-air cooler with water. This causes the gas temperature to fall in the overpressure range and ensures optimum power output, even under extreme conditions.
The customized GT seven-speed double-clutch transmission (PDK) in the new GT2 RS enables power to be transferred with uninterrupted traction. What’s more, the specially developed exhaust system is made from extra-lightweight titanium, weighs around seven kilograms less than the system used in the 911 Turbo and delivers an emotional sound without precedent.
The 911 GT2 RS
For the first time ever, Porsche Design is celebrating the debut of the high-performance sports car by releasing a special-issue watch. Offering a nod to the world of motorsport, the 911 GT2 RS watch is exclusively available to owners of the new vehicle and can only be ordered in conjunction with the new GT model at a Porsche Centre from June 30, 2017.
Racing Chassis For Outstanding Dynamic Cornering
Discipline in sport means mastering every detail. And in the world of super sports cars, cornering speeds are on another level. The 911 GT2 RS reaches these speeds thanks to its flawless racing chassis with rear-axle steering and Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires.
Like all GT sports cars, the new top model features a specially calibrated PSM with a Sport mode that is tailored to provide optimal driving dynamics. Powerful air intakes and outlets and the imposing rear wing emphasize that the vehicle’s aerodynamics have mastered both form and design. The large, wide wheels (265/35 ZR 20 at the front and 325/30 ZR 21 at the rear) ensure outstanding braking and cornering forces. The 911 GT2 RS features Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) as standard.
The front wings, wheel housing vents, outer shells on the Sport Design exterior mirrors, air intakes on the rear side sections and parts of the rear end are made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFR), as are many of the interior components. The bonnet is also made from carbon to make the vehicle as lightweight as possible, while the standard trim roof is made from magnesium. Both body parts have a wide lateral swage line.
Optional Weissach Package With 30-kg Weight Saving
Performance can always be cranked up a notch – even on the 911 GT2 RS. That’s why the Porsche engineers have developed the optional Weissach package, which provides a weight saving of around 30 kilograms. The package includes additional elements made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and titanium.
For instance, the roof and the anti-roll bars are made of carbon, and so are the coupling rods on both axles. Magnesium wheels reduce both the gross weight and the unsprung weight, providing a greater wealth of impressive chassis properties. The luggage compartment lid and the carbon- weave finish roof are emblazoned with a central strip in the same color as the car for a visually distinctive look.
A Truly Sporty Interior
The passenger compartment of the 911 GT2 RS is dominated by red Alcantara, black leather and interior parts with a carbon-weave finish as standard. The GT2 RS sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles enables quick and sporty gear changes. Drivers and passengers experience the driving dynamics of the high-performance sports car in full bucket seats with a carbon-weave finish.
As in every 911, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is the central control unit for audio, navigation, and communication. The Connect Plus module and Porsche Track Precision app are also included as standard, enabling detailed recording, display, and analysis of driving data on a smartphone.
Interior Of The 911 GT2 RS
The optional Chrono Package expands the PCM functions to include performance display, which can be used to display, save and evaluate track times. The package also includes a stopwatch on the switch panel with both analog and digital display.
What’s more, the Chrono Package on the 911 GT2 RS comes with a lap trigger. Using the Porsche Track Precision app in conjunction with external markers on a start/finish straight, this lap trigger enables drivers to record lap times with a high level of precision.
Exclusive Watch To Accompany The Car: Porsche Design 911 GT2 RS Chronograph
Porsche Design has teamed up with Porsche Motorsport to develop the 911 GT2 RS Chronograph for customers of the new super sports car. It is reserved exclusively for 911 GT2 RS drivers. At its heart is the first clock movement developed by Porsche Design, the product of three years’ work.
The caliber 01.200 includes a flyback function, a load-path-optimized movement bridge and an official COSC certificate of authenticity. The timepiece housing is made of lightweight titanium. The flyback function is inspired by motorsport and represents a special feature of the Porsche watch.
On a traditional chronograph, the buttons must be pressed three times in order to measure consecutive time intervals: The first press stops the chronograph, the second resets it and the third restarts the measuring process. On chronographs with a flyback function, these processes happen automatically and in rapid succession. The stop function and the ongoing time display are clearly separated using yellow markings.
Many of the details on the timepiece are based on the high-performance sports car. The tungsten winding rotor is modeled on the rims of the 911 GT2 RS. The clock face is made of carbon, while the design of the time display matches the instrument cluster and the tachometer. The 911 GT2 RS and its watch counterpart are exclusively available at Porsche Centres worldwide. The vehicle and watch are produced individually in line with customer wishes and delivered together.
In Depth
How a rear-wheel drive GT2 RS achieves the promised acceleration figures is unbelievable. The engine came from the Turbo S and was further tuned. The car has an intercooler water spray system. The exhaust system was made of titanium and weighs ~7 kg/15 lb less than the steel system in the Turbo. Like the 991 Turbo and the GT3, the GT2 RS has the weight-increasing, but hopefully time-winning, rear-axle steering system. The wheels and tyres measure exactly the same as on the 918 Spyder or the 991 GT3 RS: fronts are 9.5×20″ with 265/35 tyres and rears 12.5×21″ with 325/30 tyres. For the first time in a street legal Porsche, ball-joints were used in all chassis bearings. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) was used for the front lid, front wings, wheel housing vents, outer shells of the mirrors, roof panel, side air intakes, rear lid, rear ram-air intakes and rear spoiler. Typical to the RS Porsche, it was possible to order the 991 GT2 RS without audio system, navigation screen and air conditioning. In reality, cool head makes better lap times than would help you the few extra horses or marginally lower weight.
RS without roll cage and bucket seats
Although in USA we have agreed to a law that bans roll cages and no real-RS (RennSport, German word for racing) Porsches have been sold in the USA, it was the first time that RS Porsche didn’t come with the roll-cage as standard in Europe. And that the RS could be ordered without the bucket seats. A racing car without bucket seats and a roll cage is not a racing car. When specified without the RS components, the car should be called just 911 GT2 instead of 911 GT2 RS.
Clubsport package
The weight of the 991 GT cars was up compared to the 997 GT cars, so, the standard specification of the GT2 RS did not contain the Clubsport package in order to have lower weight on the spec sheet. The rather heavy Clubsport safety package includes the steel bolt-in roll cage including reinforcements with connection to bodyshell, 6-point racing harness for the driver, fire extinguisher and preparation for battery disconnect switch. The 991 GT2 RS is 100 kg/220 lb heavier without the Clubsport package than the 997 GT2 RS was with the Clubsport package. Considering the Clubsport package is around ~30 kg/66 lb, then the 991 GT2 RS is ~130 kg/290 lb heavier than the 997 GT2 RS was. Similarly equipped, the heavier 991 GT2 RS still has a 3% better power-to-weight ratio compared to the 997 GT2 RS.
Weissach package
To get the roll cage that was needed for 6-point harness and for added safety without adding weight to the car, the solution was the Weissach package. It uses titanium for the safety cage and magnesium for the wheels saving ~30 kg/66 lb compared to the Clubsport package cars. So, the Weissach version more or less retained the weight of the standard car, but had the needed safety equipment and unsprung masses reduced. The titanium safety cage designed for track day use saved 12 kg/26 lb compared to the steel cage, but was without motorsport approval. The lightweight wheels came straight from the 918 Spyder Weissach version saving 11.5 kg/25 lb compared to the forged aluminium wheels. Anti-roll bars and coupling rods used CFRP. There was a plaque with Weissach package logo on the dashboard and headrests were embroidered with Weissach package logo. The front lid and the carbon-weave finish roof were emblazoned with a central strip in the car color. Rear wing came with the large ‘PORSCHE’ logo. It was possible to order the Weissach package without the roll cage.
700 hp
In high-speed acceleration the weight doesn’t make much difference, but power does, and the 991 GT2 RS is clearly beating the already insane 997 GT2 RS there. The 991 GT2 RS has similar acceleration to 200 mph/320 km/h as the 918 Spyder supercar!
Because of the many unpainted carbon fibre parts, the car looks most serious in black. Of course, a GT2 RS is über-cool in every color, even if it looks childish.
Mark Webber said at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed that the 991 GT2 RS is a “King Kong” and that he did 336 km/h (209 mph) on the Nürburgring.
2017 Nürburgring Nordschleife record 6:47.3
On September 20, 2017, the record time of 6:47.3 was achieved in the presence of a notary. It surpassed Porsche’s own expectations as at the start of the development process the target was set under 7:05. The new 911 record even beat Frank-Steffen Walliser’s (Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars) previous baby, the 918 Spyder supercar, which had lapped the Nordschleife in 6:57. Do you even remember that the Carrera GT supercar could lap it in 7:28? OK, it wasn’t the best-handling Porsche, but the difference between the supercar’s 7:28 and the nine-eleven’s 6:47 could be measured with a calendar as the racing drivers say. The already insane 997 GT2 RS could lap the Nordschleife in 7:18. The 991 GT2 RS is almost half a minute quicker than its predecessor. This is incomprehensible.
During the record attempts two cars were used by Lars Kern and Nick Tandy. They managed to do five laps under 6:50 and the record was done by Lars Kern, who has delivered Porsche Nordschleife records before. The new 911 GT2 RS Weissach lap record translates to a average speed of 184 km/h (114 mph).
Press launch event in Algarve, Portugal
In total 60 journalists from 19 countries had the chance to see, breathe, drive and praise the 991 GT2 RS at the Algarve race track in November 2017. How can a sportscar become crazier or more refined than this?
2018 Nürburgring Nordschleife record 6:40.3
13 months after the 991 GT2 RS Weissach version set a new lap record for street legal cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Manthey Racing (MR) improved the record by 7 seconds on October 25, 2018. Minimal modifications were made: front spoiler side flics, rear spoiler, suspension, brake pads, brake lines, water tank, and for some reason factory magnesium wheels were replaced with MR magnesium wheels. Manthey Racing is a Porsche AG’s subsidiary with 51% of the shares.
2019 Road Atlanta production car lap record 1:24,88
