2017 Porsche New 911 GT2 RS
What looks at first like another
prototype for the upcoming, facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 RS, is believed to be an
early tester for the more ferocious, turbo-charged 911 GT2 or GT2 RS.
There are several clues and differences
to support that theory, as compared to the GT3 RS tester we spied recently,
this one comes with bigger air vents on the sides and extra air outlets in the
rear bumper to facilitate the twin-turbocharged engine’s requirements to
breathe and exhale larger quantities of air.
Furthermore, it also comes with canards
on the front bumper, an even bigger fixed rear wing, as well as different
exhaust pipes incorporated in the rear bumper.
Where the GT3 and GT3 RS are the ultimate
naturally-aspirated 911s, with the facelifted version of the latter to gain a
larger displacement, 4.2-liter flat-six producing around 525 horses, the GT2
and its GT2 RS sibling are a 911 Turbo gone wild, dropping the all-wheel drive
system and gaining more power.
In its previous form, the 911 GT2 (997)
had a 530 PS 3.6-liter flat-six allowing it to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and on to 200 km/h in 10.6 seconds, recording a
top speed of 328 km/h. The even lighter and more hardcore 997 GT2 RS
squeezed 620 PS from the same mill for a 3.5 second run to 100 km/h, 9.8 sec
to 200 km/h and a top speed of 330 km/h.
Today, the current 580 PS 991
Turbo S can sprint to 100 km/h in 2.9 sec and tops out at 330 km/h, so you can imagine what a future GT2 RS with possibly close to 700
horses and less weight will be capable of. The weight reduction will not only
come from discarding the Turbo’s all-wheel drive system, but also through the
use of lighter materials and the removal of unnecessary interior components,
including the rear seats and comfort features. A unique chassis-set up combined
with specific wheels, tires and brakes will also be part of the GT2 and GT2 RS’
package.
Whereas the upcoming N.A. GT3 models are
pegged to get a manual gearbox, it’s unknown at this point if the GT2 models
will get a stick shift option alongside a dual-clutch transmission too.
