Few cars are as iconic as the Porsche 911. Since 1963, Porsche has produced a bewildering number of different models. The 911 GT2 RS demonstrates just how far the 911 has come. These incredible cars showcase all the power and accessibility that Porsche has to offer. The Porsche 911 997 GT2 RS launched in 2010. It was the flagship for the 2nd half of the 997 chassis. Therefore if you want the proper terminology, tell our dealers you are looking for as the revised 997, or 997.2 Porsche 911 GT2 RS for sale.
Its successor, the Porsche 911 991.2 GT2 RS followed in 2017. While the lesser-model cars were replaced in 2011 by the new 991 generations, Porsche would wait until the 2nd phase of to unleash the GT2 RS. That is why these cars are mostly known as 991.2 Porsche 911 GT2 RS for sale. Porsche keeps pushing at the boundaries of automotive technology. Each new generation builds upon the last. But do these incremental changes actually make much difference?
Both the 997 and 991 had a very short production run – it’s rare to see a new or used Porsche 911 GT2 RS for sale. If you’re considering buying either model, you need a detailed understanding of how the two generations compare. Only 500 examples of the 997 cars were built. A final tally on 991 production numbers will be available once model-year 2019 is completed.
What Has Changed?
Every time Porsche reveals a revolutionary new flagship, it takes the automotive world by storm. The release of the 991 GT2 RS in 2017 was eagerly anticipated. That is because of the immense changes the Porsche 911 went through since the 997 series. Nothing but a name is all they shared. You must consider that the 997 chassis dates to 2004, so engineers were given a clean slate to design the 991. It has a much stronger chassis without a weight penalty. All of the suspension bushings were traded in for ball-joints, and rear-wheel steering is now standard equipment.
Certain elements are unchanged. The ventilated carbon-ceramic brakes remain. The engine, although upgraded, remains a twin-turbocharged water-cooled flat-six. But there are significant developments. Broadly speaking, these include greater confidence in the design and the ambitious implementation of new automotive technology. These upgrades make the 991 a far superior car in terms of looks, comfort, and – most importantly – performance.
Design
With the 997 GT2, Porsche redesigned the rear wing and front lip of the 997 Turbo. The 997 GT2’s rear was particularly striking, with a new bumper design and “shark fin” outlets. The 997 GT2 also prominently displayed a new titanium exhaust. The 991 GT2 RS pushes this distinctive design even further. It has every appearance of a car designed exclusively to win races.
For the 991, the taillights have been slimmed and that titanium exhaust has been enlarged. The rear wing is the most notable change in appearance between the 991 and 997. It’s a real attention-grabber. Putting such a large rear wing on a car not primarily designed for motorsports is a bold move from Porsche. But the gamble certainly paid off.
2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos & Review
The 991 is the slightly larger of the two cars, measuring up at 4,549mm in length, 1,880mm in width, and 1,297mm in height. For comparison, the 997 is 4,469mm long, 1,852mm wide, and 1,285mm high. Despite this increase in size, the standard model of the 991 is only slightly heavier, with a curb weight of 1,470kg compared to the 997’s 1,438kg.
Engine
Both cars house a flat-six twin-turbo engine at the rear, featuring VarioCam Plus. This technology provides continuous valve-timing adjustments to improve how the engine responds on cold starts. The 997 GT2 RS has a 3.6l engine that produces 620 bhp from a maximum power output of 463 kW, and 516 lb-ft of torque. The 3.8l engine inside the 991 GT2 RS pushes the limits even further. The 991 produces 690 bhp – that’s 70 more than the 997, and 553 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission
One substantial difference between the Porsche 911 997 GT2 RS and the 991 GT2 RS is the transmission. The 997 has a six-speed manual transmission. The 991 is the first in the GT2 range to be fitted with a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission. When Porsche introduced the PDK transmission to the US with the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera, it was optional. The PDK wasn’t made available for the 997 GT2 RS, but for the 991 GT2 RS, it’s the only option. Some drivers would still prefer a manual. But adding the PDK transmission as standard to the 991 was probably inevitable. Managing the increased power from the 991’s torque would be near-impossible with a manual transmission. Plus, the PDK changes gears faster, promotes longevity, and is more fuel-efficient. What’s not to like?
Interior
It should be no surprise that in the years separating the release of the 997 GT2 RS and the 991 GT2 RS, there’s a significant difference between the interiors. This is most noticeable in the size of the digital display and the quality of the graphics, which are superior in the 991. But not all the improvements can be attributed to technological advancements. The 991’s interior is more spacious, better organized, and more elegant. The upgraded Weissach package also offers carbon fiber upgrades to elements of the interior.
Performance
All these small changes add up to a big difference in performance. The 997 reaches 60mph in 3.4 seconds. The 991 cuts this down to a mere 2.7 seconds. The 997 has a maximum speed of 205 mph. The 991 also outstrips this, achieving a maximum speed of 211 mph. In September 2017, the 991 GT2 RS broke the record at Nurburgring Nordschleife (the notorious German track known as the “Green Hell”). The 991 smashed the previous record held by the Lamborghini Huracán Performante. Nearly two years later, the 991 still holds the Nurburing throne.
Summary
Both the 997 and 991 generations of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS are powerful, elegant, and eminently driveable. They’re also extremely rare. Finding a used Porsche 911 GT2 RS for sale could represent a challenge. There’s little to criticize about the older model. At launch, the 997 GT2 RS was one of the best cars that Porsche had ever released. And apart from the somewhat retro-looking interior, the 997 has aged extremely well. But, if you must have the best Porsche has to offer, you know that you’ll choose the 991. If your budget allows it, and you can find a Porsche 911 991 GT2 RS for sale, it’s a worthy upgrade.
