Following a bevy of leaks this past week, Porsche went ahead today and officially introduced its new 911 GT2 RS supercar to the world. Quick facts: it gets a twin turbocharged flat-six with 620HP and at the same time it's a whopping 70kg or 154 lbs lighter than the prior 911 GT2.
Did we mention that it's also the fastest and most powerful road-going sports car ever built in the history of Porsche and that it turns the Nürburgring race track in just 7 minutes and 18 seconds or four seconds faster than the Dodge Viper ACR?
But let's take it from the start. The crown jewel of the 997 lineup is powered by a 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine boosted by two turbochargers with variable turbine geometry that churns out 620HP and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft of peak torque. It drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Through a series of measures that include the use of carbon fiber throughout, lightweight door panels and a reduction in soundproofing material just to mention a few, Porsche's engineers managed to keep the car's weight at 1,370kg (3,021 pounds) or as we said previously, 70kg (154 pounds) less than the previous GT2.
Porsche states that the new 911 GT2 RS can accelerate from standstill 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in just 9.8 seconds and to 300 km/h (187 mph) in 28.9 seconds, while top speed is pegged at 330 km/h (205 mph).
Despite this extra power and performance, Porsche claims that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions versus the 911 GT2 are down by approximately 5 per cent to 11.9 lt /100 km (equal to 23.7 mpg UK and 19.8 mpg US) and 284 g/km.
Stuttgart's team has equipped the GT2 RS with lightweight yet carbon-ceramic brakes and a new set of 19-inch wheels (available in three different shades) wrapped in tires size 245/35 up front and 325/30 at the back that were specifically developed for this car.
In addition, the 911 GT2 RS gets a new set-up of the springs, PASM Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management, anti-roll bars, as well as the engine mounts and PSM Porsche Stability Management.
In its exterior styling, the RS stands out from the standard 911 GT2 through the use of carbon fiber components in matt-black surface finish, the wider wheels and flared wheel arches at the front, the redesigned front lip spoiler and the 10 millimeter or about 0.4 inches taller rear wing.
The car's interior has outfitted with a pair of lightweight bucket seats made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic in carbon surface finish and lightweight door panels with door opening straps. The basic black color of the interior is contrasted by the red finish of the seat centre sections and the roof lining as well as segments on the steering wheel rim which like the gearshift and handbrake lever are covered in alcantara.
Depending on your needs and desires, Porsche also offers an optional Clubsport package that includes a safety roll bar, a six-point harness, and pre-wiring for a kill switch, as well as the option to replace the racing seats with electrically adjustable sport seats and add a navi system.
Production of the 911 GT2 RS will be limited to 500 units, with Europe getting it first in September at a base price of €199,500 (Germany: €237,578 or US$301,398, UK: £164,107 or US$245,097), and the U.S. in October at a price of US$245,000 (€193,126).
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