A new Porsche is always something to be excited about. When it is based on the 911 Turbo, which is already as close to perfection as most cars come, we get downright giddy.
Like previous GT2s, this car is in essence an upgraded 911 Turbo with rear-wheel drive. Sending power to the rear wheels alone not only makes it a "true" sports car in the eyes of some enthusiasts, it also saves a considerable amount of weight. The GT2 tips the scales at 3175 lb, 320 pounds lighter than the manual-transmission version of the all-wheel drive 911 Turbo.
Porsche has also worked on the engine to give the slimmer coupe a big dose of power. The familiar 3.6-liter six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine from the Turbo features Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG), which helps reduce turbo lag without sacrificing power. The turbochargers use a unique expansion intake manifold, which, unlike standard manifolds, allows some expansion of the compressed intake air. The resulting cooler air improves combustion and raises output to 530 hp and 505 lb-ft, making this GT2 the most powerful roadgoing 911 ever.
All of that power gets the 911 GT2 from zero to sixty mph in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 204 mph, which is just a tick faster than a manual-transmission 911 Turbo. To help with standing starts - that's a lot of power going to the rear wheels - the GT2 is equipped with a launch control system. The new system waits for the boost pressure to build up before launching, which assures a faster start.
The GT2 comes standard with ceramic brakes, which are usually an expensive option on other 911s. Porsche Stability Management (PSM) is also standard. No word on the smile-per-mile rating, but we're guessing it's pretty high.