1995 Porsche 911 GT2

The Porsche 911 GT2 was produced from 1993 to 2019 and was initially intended to homologate the 911 (993) for GT2 class racing. The 3.6-liter engine powering the 993 GT2 initially produced 424 horsepower, increasing to 444 horsepower in 1998.

The AWD Porsche 959
The Porsche 959 was a revolutionary and high-performance all-wheel-drive supercar built from 1986 to 1993. The AWD technology proved highly competitive in motorsports competition leading to new GT2 regulations which banned racing cars with power to all four wheels.

The RWD Porsche 993
Porsche's fourth generation of the 911 arrived in January 1994, internally known as the type 993, and would be in production through 1998. It replaced the Type 964 and represented a tremendous improvement over its predecessor with reportedly (by Porsche) 'only 20% of its parts were carried over from the prior 911.' It was fitted with a highly evolved suspension, a robust twin-turbocharged flat-six-cylinder engine, and (most importantly) rear-wheel drive. The new six-speed manual transmission added a gear to the outgoing 964-generation's five-speed, and while the two shared interior trim, front deck lids, and roof panels, the similarities ended there. The new multi-link coil suspension finally corrected the lift-off oversteer that had plagued the company's sports car for decades.

The 993 Turbo
Porsche introduced the 993 Turbo in 1995 and was powered by a new twin-turbocharged engine displacing 3.6 liters and developing just over 400 horsepower. Modifications to the engine included redesigned cylinder heads, an electronic engine management system, and air-to-air intercoolers. Styling updates included widened rear wheel arches, 18-inch alloy wheels with hollow spokes, redesigned bumper moldings, and a fixed 'whale tail' rear wing housing the intercoolers. Its all-wheel-drive system was sourced from the preceding 959.

Porsche 911 GT2
The Porsche 911 GT2 followed the 911 Turbo but instead of all-wheel drive, it only sent power to the rear wheels. Weight-saving measures included doors and a front deck lid composed of aluminum, and it was devoid of its Turbo sibling's luxurious interior accouterments (similar to that of the Carrera RS), replacing comfort for hard-shell sport seats, RS-specification door cards, and no rear seat. Wider arches housing larger wheels could be removed and replaced quickly during competition. At the back, the large rear spoiler incorporated functional air ducts to feed uprated intercoolers and KKK turbochargers.

The brakes, suspension, and wheels of the GT2 were upgraded for track use and to cope with the engine's performance. Aerodynamic downforce was courtesy of the large front air dam and a rear spoiler. Without the Turbo's AWD transmission, the GT2 was considerably lighter (by approximately 300 kg) than its parent.

Introduced in November 1994 at the Essen Motor Show, the GT2 could sprint from 0 to 161 km/h in 7.2 seconds and could reach a top speed of 301 km/h. In its original Type 993 incarnation, the GT2 was produced up to 1998.

The street-legal version of the GT2 racecar was known as the 'GT' until 1997, and its engine was nearly identical to the Turbo, but given a higher boost pressure to increase output to 424 hp. The addition of a dual ignition system in 1998 brought output to 444 hp at 6,000 RPM and 432 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 RPM.

The GT2 and the road-going GT were specially hand-prepared by Roland Kussmaul's Race-Sports Department.

The Type 993 was the last of the great air-cooled 911s.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2025