NEW 2018 911 GT2 RS WITH 700 HP, REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, RACE-BRED CHASSIS, AND REAR AXLE STEERING

New 2018 911 GT2 RS with 700 hp, rear-wheel drive, race-bred chassis, and rear axle steering

ATLANTA, June 30, 2017 -- The fastest and most powerful street-legal 911 model ever is ready for launch: The new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is celebrating its official world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from June 30th to July 2nd. At the heart of this high-performance sports car is a 700-horsepower twin-turbo flat-six engine. Weighing in at 3,241 pounds with a full tank of fuel, the lightweight two-seater accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.7 seconds. The new 911 GT2 RS can reach a top track speed of 211 miles per hour, and it surpasses the 2011 911 GT2 RS by 80 horsepower. The 2018 911 GT2 RS delivers 553 lb.-ft. of torque, an increase of 37 lb.-ft. compared to the previous 911 GT2 RS.

The 3.8-liter engine in the GT2 RS is based on the power plant found in the current 911 Turbo S model. In order to increase performance further, larger turbochargers push an increased volume of air into the combustion chambers. A new additional cooling system delivers optimum cooling at peak loads by spraying water on the intercoolers when the intake air temperature reaches a determined threshold. This reduces the inlet temperature under boost and allows for optimum power output, even under extreme conditions. The customized GT seven-speed double-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission in the new GT2 RS enables maximum efficiency with uninterrupted torque transfer. The specially developed lightweight titanium exhaust system weighs around 15 pounds less than the system used in the 911 Turbo and delivers a particularly emotional sound.

Porsche Design is celebrating the debut of this very special high-performance sports car by releasing a special-issue watch. Offering a nod to the world of motorsport, the Porsche Design 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.

Race-bred chassis for exceptional cornering

The 2018 911 GT2 RS has exceptional dry grip thanks to its race-bred chassis with rear axle steering and Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires. The stability management system is tuned for spirited driving in the new 911 GT2 RS. The PSM can be deactivated in two stages using the ESC OFF and ESC+TC OFF functions. Large air intakes and outlets and the striking rear wing underscore the emphasis on aerodynamics and down-force. The large, wide wheels with 265/35 ZR 20 tires at the front and 325/30 ZR 21 tires at the rear help ensure outstanding braking and cornering potential. The 911 GT2 RS features Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) as standard. The front fenders, wheel housing vents, outer shells on the Sport Design exterior mirrors, air intakes on the rear quarter panels, and parts of the rear are made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), as are many of the interior components. The front luggage compartment lid is also made from carbon fiber to make the vehicle as light as possible, while the standard roof panel is made from magnesium. Both of these body panels feature a visible recess in the center, a design element previously used on the 2016 911 GT3 RS.

Optional Weissach package saves 40 pounds of weight

The optional Weissach package reduces weight by nearly 40 pounds, further enhancing the vehicle dynamics of the 911 GT2 RS. The package includes magnesium wheels and numerous elements made of carbon fiber. For instance, with this optional package, the roof and anti-roll bars are made of carbon fiber, as are the end links on both axles. The 911 GT2 RS forged magnesium wheels reduce both overall and unsprung weight by over 25 pounds, complementing the vehicle's handling characteristics. When equipped with the Weissach Package, the carbon fiber weave of the luggage compartment lid and the roof are left largely exposed, and are painted with a centrally placed decorative strip in the vehicle color for a distinctive look. The Weissach package is optionally available with an MSRP of $31,000.

A truly sporty interior

The interior of the 911 GT2 RS is dominated by red Alcantara®, black leather, and carbon fiber trim pieces as standard. The GT2 RS Sport steering wheel with shift paddles is also included as standard. Drivers and passengers can experience the driving dynamics of the high-performance sports car in Full Bucket Seats with carbon fiber reinforced backrests, which offer a high level of comfort and lateral support. As in every 911 model, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) serves as the central control unit for audio, navigation, and communication. Porsche Connect Plus and the Porsche Track Precision app are also included as standard, enabling detailed recording, display, and analysis of driving data on a smartphone.

The optional Chrono Package expands the PCM functions to include a performance display, which can be used to display, save, and evaluate lap times. The package also includes a stopwatch on the dashboard featuring an analog and digital display. The Chrono Package on the 911 GT2 RS also provides preparation for the lap trigger available from Porsche Tequipment. When using the Porsche Track Precision app in conjunction with the infrared transmitter placed at the side of the track, the lap trigger receiver enables drivers to record lap times with a higher level of precision.

Exclusive watch for owners: Porsche Design 911 GT2 RS Chronograph

Porsche Design has teamed up with Porsche Motorsport to develop the 911 GT2 RS Chronograph exclusively for 911 GT2 RS owners. The timepiece housing is made of lightweight titanium. 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 flyback function is inspired by motorsport and represents a special feature of the Porsche Design GT2 RS 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 design details of the GT2 RS. The tungsten winding rotor is modeled after the rims of the 911 GT2 RS. The clock face is made of carbon fiber, 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 authorized Porsche dealers worldwide. The vehicle and watch are produced and customized in line with each customer's wishes and are delivered together.

Pricing and availability

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS model is available to order with a base MSRP of $293,200, excluding the $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee. It will reach U.S. dealers in early 2018.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA

Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche 911, 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman sports cars, Macan and Cayenne SUVs, and Panamera sports sedans. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia since 1998, PCNA is also home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America featuring a module-based 1.6 mile driver development track, business center, and fine dining restaurant, 356. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. This 53-acre complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, and Restaurant 917. PCNA employs over 300 people who provide parts, service, marketing, and training for 188 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand's nearly 70-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

by Porsche

Coupe

The most powerful street-legal 911 ever built, the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS delivers 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque from its 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six. Thanks to the new engine, the 911 GT RS hits 60 mile per hour in a Porsche-estimated 2.7 seconds. On the track, top speed is 211 miles per hour. Compared to the outgoing 2011 GT2 RS, the new model has an 80 horsepower and 37 lb-ft advantage.

The rear-drive 911 GT2 RS features larger air intakes, a large rear wing, ceramic composite brakes, rear axle steering and 265/35 ZR 20 tires up front with 325/30 ZR 21 rear tires. It also features Carbon Fiber reinforced plastics on the front fenders, wheel housing vents, rear quarter panel air intakes, and other areas. This GT2 RS has the $31,000 Weissach package that shaves off an additional 40 pounds, featuring magnesium wheels, a carbon fiber roof and anti-roll bars along with a lightweight titanium exhaust system to keep the car's weight to a svelte 3,241 pounds.

Red Alcantara black leather full bucket seats with carbon fiber reinforced backrests and carbon fiber accents fill the cabin. Treading the line between track machine and street prowler, the new GT2 RS is a surefire winner amongst 911 enthusiasts. It does everything you'd expect, minus the frills and distractions. Not only is it capable of obliterating lap times, but the fact you can drive it to and from the track makes it even more than just a toy.

Coupe
Chassis number: WP0AE2A9XJS185081

The Porsche 991 GT2 RS made its debut virtually at the Microsoft Xbox E3 briefing in 2017 before showing up at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that summer. This was the first time the GT2 RS did not have a manual transmission. Instead it had a fast shifting Porsche Doppelkupplung seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Combined with the powerful engine, the GT2 RS was able to race from zero-to-sixty mph in just 2.7 seconds. Top speed was achieved at 210 mph.

For buyers seeking even more, Porsche recommended the optional $31,000 Weissach Package. In this guise, more than 65 lbs was shed and came with the first carbon fiber stabilizer bars ever fitted to a production automobile. Carbon weave was used for its front hood and for its roof, too. Magnesium wheels shed around 6 lbs. per corner. Titanium was used for the integrated roll cage on European models, which weighs about 25 lbs. less than the steel unit fitted to models with the Club Sport Package.

This particular 911 GT2 RS has been driven less than 200 miles and was optioned with the Weissach Package. Work was completed on March 7th of 2018 and finished in the race-inspired GT Silver Metallic over a Black/Red leather and Alcantara interior. Other options include the front axle lift system, light design package, Bose surround sound system, chrono package with lap trigger, and a 23.8-gallon extended range fuel tank.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

The Porsche GT2 RS is a limited production performance and track car. It is the most powerful 911 Porsche ever sold, and the quickest road legal car ever to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The GT2 RS lapped the famed Green Hell's 14+ mile circuit in 6:40.33, beating the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ's 6:44.97, and even the 6:43.2 set by the McLaren P1 LM, a track only race car.

Extensive use of lightweight materials means that this Porsche has an incredible power-to-weight ratio. This car's weight is reduced even further with the optional Weissach Pack. The Weissach Pack features extensive usage of carbon fiber for the hood, roof, fenders, engine lid and rear wing, anti-roll bars, and superlight forged magnesium wheels.

It has a 700 horsepower 3.8-liter turbocharger flat-six-boxer engine that produces 553 pounds of torque.

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Chassis number: WP0AE2A91JS185938

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS followed the arrival of the 997 generation in 2010, followed by the GT2 RS in 2018 with the 991-generation. It came with 80 additional horsepower than its predecessor and 37 more pound-feet of torque, with zero-to-sixty mph being achieved in 2.8 seconds. Power was sourced from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six that offered 691 horsepower at 22 pounds of boost. It had 553 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 and 4,500 RPM. The engine was paired with a seven-speed PDK twin-clutch transmission and a 3.96 differential with electronically controlled limited-slip.

The outstanding performance was complemented by extensive use of lightweight material including carbon fiber root panel, anti-roll bars, and front lid with the optional $18,000 Weissach Package.

This particular example is finished in Guards Red over Black and Black/Red Alcantara and left the factory with the Weissach package. It was originally delivered to Carlsen Porsche of Redwood City, California, and currently has less than 2,060 miles on its odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

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Chassis number: WP0AE2A99JS185802

Porsche factory driver Lars Kern drove the 911 GT2 RS around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in six minutes and 47.3 seconds. It was quicker than the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar's 2015 Nürburgring lap record by nearly 10 seconds. Upon its introduction, it was 'the most powerful streel-legal 911 model of all time.'

Launched at the 2017 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 2018 911 GT2 RS represents the apex of the 991.2-generation. The finely tuned engine delivers seven hundred horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Zero to sixty mph is accomplished in 2.7 seconds, and a top track speed of 211 mph.

This particular Porsche 911 GT2 RS was ordered through Porsche Warrington (formerly home to Holbert Porsche and PMNA) and specified in non-metallic Black paint over a Black leather interior with Platinum Grey thread stitching. Additional factory options include the extended range fuel tank, heated seats, Chrono Package, LED Headlights in Black with PDLS, and instrument dials in White, and front axle lift. Instead of Alcantara, this Porsche was given optional leather trim. The $31,000 Weissach Package reduced the vehicle's weight by 40 pounds, with forged magnesium wheels (reducing unsprung weight by over 25 pounds) and numerous elements made of carbon fiber, including the roof, anti-roll bars, and end links on both axles.

This 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS with the Weissach Package was finished in October 2018 and delivered to Porsche Warrington with an MSRP of $341,330. It remains an unmodified, single-owner example with 1,333 miles on its odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Unveiled to the world in 1999, the Porsche 911 GT3 was a high performance variant of the original water-cooled version of the Porsche 911, the 996. It continued the 25 year tradition of low-weight RS models that was ended with the 993 RS. The name GT3 was taken from the Fiat GT class that it had been designed for, and it didn't use the simple engine of the standard production versions of the 996, while also a naturally-aspirated variation of the turbocharged Porsche 962 and Porsche 911 GT1 race vehicles. Though it didn't fit into GT racing regulations like the 993 GT2, the turbo-charged Porsche 911 GT2 was added to the maker's lineup. Racing versions of the GT3 were awarded several major 24h races and completely dominated their class at Le Mans.

The Porsche 911 GTI won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998 and Porsche chose not to enter the '99 Le Mans due to not having a factory vehicle that was good enough to defend the overall win against the competition by major automakers. This was also due to an internal agreement again on less expensive GT racing classes at the Grand-Am Rolex racing series, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and started plans to update the new 996 generation of the 911. At the same time they produced a road-worthy variant, they developed a race car. In 1999 this car was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show before it went on sale.

The GT3 came with an engine unlike any other 996 models, even though it shared the same basic 3.6 liter displacement of the standard 996 ‘integrated dry-sump' flat-six engine. This engine is based completely on the original air-cooled 911's versatile, true dry-sump crankcase with an external oil tank. Originally the GT3's engine had 360 PS, in comparison to the 300 PS of the original 996.

Quite similar to the completely water-cooled 962 racing car's engine, the GT3 engine configuration was a so called 'split' crankcase uses separate water jackets added onto each side of the crankcase to cool banks of three cylinders with water pumped through a radiator, rather than a fan and finned cylinders. This engine is also based on this same crankcase. This engine is different though because the 962 utilized 6 individual cylinder heads while the GT1/GT3 used 2 cylinder heads, each covering a bank of 3 cylinders. One could think of the GT3 engine as a similar to a 959 engine, but with water-cooled cylinders.

The basic casting utilized for the crankcase of the GT3, up until 2004, was virtually the same as the air-cooled engine. The '964' casting number on the bottom of the crankcase and areas could clearly be seen and were normally machined in the air-cooled application that are not machined for use in the water-cooled application. Halfway through the 2004 year, a '996' casting number crankcase to eliminate these external air-cooled remnants, while internally it remained virtually the same.

Dating back to the Porsche 904/6 of the mid-1960's, the engine gives the GT3 a distinct racing heritage all the way up the racing vehicles of today.

The GT3 utilized a manual gearbox that was also of air-cooled 911 heritage, due to the 911 air-cooled crankcase that used the Porsche 356 engine to transmission mounting flange configuration. The gear ratios were interchangeable on the gearbox and it was much more durable which makes it more preferable for racing over the standard 996 type 911 gearbox. The most ‘powerful naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine' in any production vehicle, was the 3.8 liter flat-six engine in the 997 GT3 and GT3 RS, rated at 435 hp.

The 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 is considered to be the most powerful non-turbocharged production vehicle that had ever been offered in North America. Considered to be a true sports vehicle that allowed you to achieve lap times on the racetrack, no one really expected it to also be a street-legal and non-turbocharged road vehicle. President and chief executive officer of Porsche Cars North America, Peter Scwarzenbauer is quoted as 'This is the fastest normally aspirated Porsche road car' and 'the sports car for the purist, through and through'.

Though the GT3 didn't come with a back seat, and other commodities drivers really preferred, it continued to be a car than can be driven on a daily basis. The GT3 also maintains the same fuel consumption ratios as other 911 models, though it produced more horsepower and torque. The '04 Porsche 911 GT3 is rated at 380 hp at 7,400 rpm and 284 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. In first, second, third and fourth gears, the engine revs to 8,200 rpm right before its computerized rev limiter is activated.

The 04 Porsche 911 GT3 could achieve 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds and could hit 100 mph in just 9.4 seconds. The brakes were also bigger on the GT3 than the 911 Turbo's. The GT3 is also equipped with 13.78-inch front brake discs and six-piston fixed calipers that increase the contact area between the discs and the pads. In a carry-over of a Porsche tradition, the six-piston brake calipers are adorned with a red paint. By 40% these calipers enlarge the contact area between the brake lining and the brake disc in comparison to the first generation GT3. The front discs are also nearly an inch larger than those found on the '03 911 turbo. Much like the Turbo's, the rear discs are 13.00 inches. Patented by Porsche, the cooling ducts were inner-vented and cross drilled, while the front discs are 1.34 inches thick. The sickle-shaped ducts act like a turbine inside the discs which made a significant contribution to cooling behavior.

The rotors at the rear measure 1.10 inches thick and are cross-drilled and inner-vented and feature four-piston calipers. Brake caliper pistons are separated by heat-insulating circonium ceramic inserts which reduced the transmission of temperatures from the brakes to the hydraulic fluid. The Porsche 911 GT3 came with enhanced aerodynamics, mainly due the streamlining of the vehicle's body that included a swept-back nose, a large rear spoiler, and sculpted side sills. All of these components together reduce lift forces on both rear and front axles. The improved aerodynamics along with the more powerful engine resulted in a top track speed of 190 mph. The aerodynamic nature also provides more flow that cooled the GT3's braking system. Directing air to the brake discs and calipers were spoilers that were integrated into the cars wheel wells.

by Jessican Donaldson