| Porsche 911 GT2 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Porsche 911 GT2 RS | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Porsche |
| Production | 1993–2019 |
| Assembly | Germany:Stuttgart,Baden-Württemberg |
| Designer | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | |
ThePorsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance, track-focusedsports car built by the German automobile manufacturerPorsche from 1993 to 2009, and since 2010 as the GT2 RS. It is based on the911 Turbo, and uses a similartwin-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 ofrear-wheel-drive instead of anall-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 the911 lineup.
| 993 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1993–1998 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.6 Ltwin-turbochargedPorsche M64.60Flat-6 Engine |
| Power output | 316–331 kW (430–450 PS; 424–444 hp) |
| Transmission | 6-speedmanual |
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The993 GT2 was initially built in order to meethomologation requirements forGT2 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).[1] 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 3.6 L (220 cu in) engine generated a maximum power output of 316 kW (430 PS; 424 hp); in 1998 it was upgraded to 331 kW (450 PS; 444 hp). 57 road cars were built (thirteen of which were right-hand drive).[2]
| 996 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | 2001–2005 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.6 Ltwin-turbochargedPorsche M96.70sFlat-6 Engine |
| Power output | 340–355 kW (462–483 PS; 456–476 hp) |
| Transmission | 6-speedmanual |
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In 1999, the 993 was replaced with the new996 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 aspirated911 GT3.
Developed primarily as a road car in contrast to its predecessor, the new GT2 featured a twin-turbocharged version of the GT3's 3.6 L (220 cu in)flat-six engine. It generated a maximum output of 340 kW (462 PS; 456 hp), which was later increased to 355 kW (483 PS; 476 hp). 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 byCar and Driver magazine, the GT2 suffers from hardly anyturbo lag. Despite a 10-millimeter reduction in ride height from the 911 Turbo, the drag coefficient is slightly higher —Cd=0.34 vs. the Turbo's 0.33 — due to the fixed rear wing.[3]
| 997 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | 2007–2012 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.6 Ltwin-turbochargedPorsche M97.70sFlat-6 Engine |
| Power output |
|
| Transmission | 6-speedmanual |
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The 996 GT2 was superseded by the997 GT2 in 2007 after a brief hiatus, with cars arriving at dealerships in November 2007[7] after an official launch at the 62ndFrankfurt Motor Show.
The GT2's engine was based on the 3.6 L (220 cu in) flat-6 engine as seen on the Turbo, but featured twovariable geometry turbochargers. The engine generated a maximum power output of 390 kW (530 PS; 523 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 680 N⋅m (502 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2,200 rpm. The GT2 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and on to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 10.6 seconds, and had a maximum top speed of 328 km/h (204 mph). This made it the third Porsche production road car to exceed the 322 km/h (200 mph) barrier, with the exception of the 1998911 GT1 (of which only 20 units were produced for street use,[8] solely to satisfyACO homologation requirements for racing).
The American automotive magazineMotor Trend tested a 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 and achieved a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 3.4 seconds,[9] and a quarter mile time of 11.4 seconds at 127.9 mph (205.8 km/h). The GT2 also recorded a braking distance from 60 to 0 mph of 98 feet (30 m), 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 featuringtitanium exhaust pipes and shark fin outlets.
German Porsche test driverWalter Röhrl lapped theNürburgring 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.[10]
Technical specifications of the standard 997 GT2:[11]
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On 4 May 2010, an RS variant was announced to German dealers in Leipzig. The engine in the GT2 RS generated a maximum power output of 456 kW (620 PS; 612 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) of torque. The GT2 RS weighs 70 kg (154 lb) less than the GT2, allowing for a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph) and a 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) acceleration time of 3.3 seconds.[12]
According to the then Porsche Motorsports manager Andreas Preuninger, the RS was conceived around 2007 as a skunk-works effort. The 727 code number selected for the project corresponds to one of theNissan GT-R's lap times around the Nürburgring's Nordschleife. When the dust settled, Porsche claimed that test driver Timo Kluck had supposedly eclipsed that target by an impressive nine seconds.Porsche produced only 500 units of the 997 GT2 RS globally.[13]
| 991 (GT2 RS) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production |
|
| Model years | 2018–2020 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.8 Ltwin-turbochargedPorsche MDH.NAflat-6 |
| Power output | 515 kW (700 PS; 691 hp), 553 lb⋅ft (750 N⋅m) |
| Transmission | 7-speedPDK |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,453 mm (97 in) |
| Length | 4,549 mm (179 in) |
| Width | 1,880 mm (74 in) |
| Height | 1,297 mm (51 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,470 kg (3,241 lb) |
The991 GT2 RS was initially unveiled at theXbox 2017E3 briefing along with the announcement of theForza Motorsport 7 video game where it was revealed as the cover car as well as being included as a playable vehicle.[14]
The car was officially launched by Porsche at the 2017Goodwood Festival of Speed along with the introduction of the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. The 991 GT2 RS is powered by a 3.8 L twin-turbocharged flat-6 engine that has a maximum power output of 515 kW (700 PS; 691 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 750 N⋅m (553 lb⋅ft) of torque, making it the most powerful production 911 variant ever built. Unlike the previous GT2 versions, this car is fitted with a 7-speedPDK transmission to handle the excessive torque produced from the engine. Porsche claims that the car will accelerate from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 2.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph).
The car has a roof made of magnesium, front lid, front and rear wings and boot lid made of carbon-fibre, front and rear apron made of lightweight polyurethane, rear and side windows made of polycarbonate and an exhaust system made of titanium. Porsche claims that the car has a wet weight of 1,470 kg (3,241 lb).
A Weissach package option is available, which reduces weight by 30 kg (66 lb), courtesy of the additional use of carbon-fibre and titanium parts. This includes the roof, the anti-roll bars, and the coupling rods on both axles being made out of carbon-fibre, while the roll cage is made from titanium. The package also includes a set of magnesium wheels specially made byBBS. The car was available in the United States from early 2018.[15][16]
A production run of 1,000 units was planned.[17]
The production run of the GT2 RS was to end by February 2019 but four units were lost in transit to Brazil due to the sinking of the shipGrande America on which the cars were on board in March 2019. Porsche decided to restart production to reproduce the lost cars.[18]
In late September 2017, the 911 GT2 RS driven by Porsche test driver Lars Kern seta 6:47.3 minute lap time around theNürburgring Nordschleife, averaging a speed of 184.11 km/h (114.40 mph). This made it the fastest production car lap time recorded on the track at the time.[19][20][21][22][23]
In 2018,Warren Luff at the wheel of the GT2 RS (without the Weissach package) set the fastest production lap record atThe Bend Motorsport Park with a lap time of 3:24.079 minutes around the 7.77 km GT layout.[24][25]
On 25 October 2018, a 6:40.33 minute lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife was set by Porsche test driver Lars Kern in a 911 GT2 RS MR prepared by Porsche-ownedManthey Racing, surpassing the previous record holder—an unmodifiedLamborghini Aventador SVJ—that had deprived the GT2 RS of its record in July 2018.[26][27][28]
In 2019 Porsche set further production lap records with the car at various North American circuits: 1:24.88 minutes atRoad Atlanta, 2:15.17 minutes atRoad America and 1:22.36 minutes atCanadian Tire Motorsport Park.[29][30][31][32][33]
Technical specifications of the 2018 991.2 GT2 RS:[34][35]
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Introduced at the 2018 LA Auto Show, the GT2 RS Clubsport is the track-only variant of the GT2 RS. New aerodynamic elements increase downforce of the car while removal of non essential components decrease weight further. Notable exterior changes include a larger motor sport oriented rear wing made from carbon fibre shared with the GT3 R, larger front air intakes with integrated LED day time running lights, carbon fibre roof with an integrated escape hatch in case of a crash, carbon fibre engine cover and bonnet along with a racing fuel cell and a new race exhaust system.
The interior is race oriented and notable changes include an FIA-approved roll cage, a single racing bucket seat and a race steering wheel made from carbon fibre with an integrated colour display shared with the GT3 R. The car weighs a total of 1,390 kg (3,064 lb) 80 kg (176 lb) less than the GT2 RS road car.
The engine and transmission remain the same as the GT2 RS while new safety features include a PSM stability management system and an ABS system, both of which are manually controlled by rotary dials present on the centre console. The GT2 RS Clubsport comes with 18-inch centre lock forged alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin racing slicks and are shared with the GT3 R race car. Production of the Clubsport is limited to 200 units.[36][37][38]
The SRO Motorsports Group announced a one make series featuring the GT2 RS Clubsport which was held in July 2019 at the24 Hours of Spa Weekend. Previously, the Clubsport made its track debut at theBathurst 12 Hour event held in the January of that same year.[39]
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The Porsche GT2 comes from a long line of 911 Porsche Turbo racing cars in international motorsports. Starting with the 1974 911 Carrera turbo for Group 5 racing, followed by the 934 (a racing version of the 930) for Group 4 racing, then the famous Porsche 935 which dominated Group 5 and IMSA racing through 1984. In 1986 a Porsche 961 (racing version of the 959) would be created with little racing success but a leap forward in technology and development such as AWD, 4 valves per cylinder and water-cooled heads (which first appeared in the 1978 Porsche 935 Moby-Dick, used in the Porsche 956/962 GroupC prototypes and then in the 959/961). In 1993, Porsche had experimented with the extensively modified turbo964, named theTurbo S LM-GT. Seeing the car's potential to be fast and reliable, as well as customer demand for a car to replace the 964 Carrera RSRs, Porsche chose to develop the turbocharged 993 for customer use.
The993 GT2 race car featured a stripped interior, integratedrollcage for safety, minor adjustments to the bodywork and wings in order to decrease weight as well as increase downforce, and wider fenders to handle racing slicks. The suspension was modified to improve racing performance, while the engine was slightly tweaked for endurance. TwinKKK turbochargers, fitted with required air restrictors, allowed for 335.7 kW (450 hp).[1]
At the same time, Porsche also developed aGT2 Evo, able to race in the GT1 category. The Evo saw an increase in power to 447.6 kW (600 hp) through the use of larger turbochargers. Other modifications included a new, higher-mounted rear wing, larger fenders to house the wider tires allowed in the GT1 class, and a decrease in weight to 1,100 kg (2,425 lb).[40] The GT2 Evo was short-lived, however, as Porsche decided to replace it with the purpose-built911 GT1 in 1996.
The GT2 and GT2 Evo were initially campaigned in theBPR Global GT Series as well as several other smaller national series, and earned seven wins in their class out of eleven rounds during their first full BPR season in1996, as well as a class victory in the1996 and1997 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the newFIA GT Championship that year, although Porsche faced factory-backed competition fromChrysler, the 911 GT2s managed to win three races. By 1998, however, the capabilities of the GT2 were unable to combat the increased number ofChrysler Viper GTS-Rs in the series, earning only a single victory.
By 1999, the GT2s had been largely overpowered by the Vipers, as well as newcomersLister. Despite this, a GT2 prepared by Roock Racing managed to win the GT2 class at the24 Hours of Daytona. An increase in engine displacement to 3.8 liters in 2000 was unable to help Porsche, and support for the project ended. Porsche chose instead to concentrate on the new N-GT category with theGT3-R that same year. GT2s continued to be used by private teams until 2004.
With the launch of the 996 generation GT2, several privateers attempted to continue on the motorsports history by building their own racing versions. Belgian PSI Motorsports'996 Bi-Turbo and German A-Level Engineering's996 GT2-R were used with moderate success in national series such as the Spanish GT Championship andBelcar.[41]
Porsche became the first manufacturer to commit to the newSRO GT2 category launched in 2018, with the Porsche 911 GT2 RS clubsport.[42] The car has since competed inGT Sports Club America in 2020 and in theGT2 European Series from 2021 onward. An Evo kit for the car was introduced in 2023.[43]
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