Blink and you’ll miss it! Porsche has unleashed official pictures and details of the new 611bhp GT2 RS – its fastest and most potent street-legal car to date.
Engineers used the 204mph GT2 as a starting point, but cut 70kg in weight and found an extra 89bhp. The result is a power-to-weight ratio of 446bhp per tonne – better than the Bugatti Veyron.
Sitting over the rear axle is a reworked version of the GT2’s twin-turbo six-cylinder 3.6-litre engine, with the boost cranked up from 1.4 to 1.6 bar.
But despite the massive step up in performance, fuel consumption and CO2 output have fallen by about five per cent, to 23.7mpg and 284g/km respectively.
As with all GT2s of the past, power is sent to the rear tyres through a six-speed manual gearbox capable of coping with the 700Nm of torque.
Straight-line performance is impressive, with the sprint from 0-62mph completed in 3.5 seconds, and 0-124mph in 9.8 seconds. The car goes on to a 205mph top speed.
In a bid to tame the RS, Porsche has fitted a variety of hi-tech electronic safety nets – including its Adaptive Suspension and Stability Management. And to ensure it’s just as quick through corners, it features sportier suspension settings and uprated anti-roll bars.
Key to the pace is its slimmed-down 1,370kg kerbweight. A number of lighter carbon-reinforced components are visible on the exterior, including the bonnet, rear engine cover and front spoiler. Light centre-locking wheels sit inside flared arches, while GT2 RS graphics on the doors and engine cover leave you in no doubt that this is the performance flagship.
Wafer-thin bucket seats help to reduce the weight, and give the interior a road-racer feel. Fabric straps replace the door handles for the same reason.
The basic colour inside is black, with red Alcantara trim on the seats and headlining, as well as the steering wheel, gearlever and handbrake.
Porsche intends to produce only 500 examples of the new GT2 RS – giving UK customers lucky enough to be able to afford the £164,107 price an alternative after Ferrari sold
all planned 599 models of its 599 GTO For more details click here.