To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 17 - 18
January 2019.
Estimate:
$450,000 - $550,000
- Only 55 original miles
- Features desirable Weissach package
- GT Silver Metallic with Satin Black magnesium wheels
- Black leather and Alcantara with Platinum Grey stitching
In the Porsche 911 hierarchy, the GT2 nomenclature is reserved for
its most ferocious models. Sports car racing once known as GT2 has
changed considerably since the automaker first homologated its
993-generation 911 in the early 1990s. Back then, the GT2 used a
424-hp version of the twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six plucked
from the 993 Turbo. Composite bolt-on fender flares wrapped around
its wide wheels and a massive, fixed spoiler with integrated air
scoops gave it a menacing look.
By the time Porsche moved from air-cooled powertrains to
liquid-cooled, the automaker left GT2 racing to concentrate on
naturally aspirated GT3 competition. Still, the GT2 name survived
as the maximum version of the 996 with a 476-hp twin-turbocharged
engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission. That model set
the stage for water-cooled 911 GT2s to come. The revived 997 GT2
looked the part once again with its oval headlamps and it
benefitted from a big upgrade in its engine compartment. Now, the
engine pumped out 523 hp, allowing it to top 200 mph on a closed
course.
Porsche had more on its mind than just the GT2, however. The Nissan
GT-R bested the GT2 at the N�rburgring Nordschliefe, which might as
well have been Porsche's home turf. Porsche responded with the GT2
RS, which weighed about 150 lbs. less than the standard model and
had 612 hp, to boot.
The GT2 RS was the new standard, Porsche said, when it unveiled the
highest-performance version of its 911 yet in 2017. The 991-body
GT2 RS made its debut virtually at the Microsoft Xbox E3 briefing
in 2017 before showing up in the flesh at the Goodwood Festival of
Speed that summer ready for a blistering sprint up Lord March's
famous driveway.
The GT2 RS is anything but subtle. Massive intakes carved into its
front bumper, a deep chin spoiler, and a functional wing give it
gravitas unmatched by any road-going Porsche before. The GT2 RS'
twin-turbo, twin-intercooled 3.8-liter six-cylinder makes use of
the automaker's VarioCam Plus system that imperceptibly adjusts the
intake camshafts and switches the lift of the intake valves to make
for effortless acceleration.
For the first time, the GT2 RS did not come with a manual
transmission. A human driver's shifting abilities pale in
comparison to the rapid, split-second shifts fired off by the
advanced Porsche Doppelkupplung seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It
is that transmission that makes the GT2 RS capable of sprinting to
60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, going on to 124 mph in a mere 8.3
seconds before hitting an otherworldly 210 mph top speed.
The GT2 RS quickly proved to be more than just a solid
straight-line performer. Porsche made use of ball joints for its
chassis joints for a more direct connection with the road.
Adjustable suspension height, wheel camber, track, and stabilizer
bars mean that the GT2 RS can be custom-tailored to a road course
after just a few minutes of tweaking.
Porsche encouraged buyers eager for more capability to select the
$31,000 Weissach option package. Cribbing its name from a package
with a similar light-weighting philosophy that was offered on the
918 Spyder hypercar, the 991 GT2 RS package shed more than 65 lbs.
while adding track-ready features.
The Weissach Package included 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. Porsche even made use of titanium for the
GT2 RS Weissach's integrated roll cage on European models, which
weighs about 25 lbs. less than the steel unit fitted to models with
the Club Sport Package. The roll cage was omitted from
American-market models due to compliance issues. In the U.S., the
GT2 RS also included an infotainment screen and backup camera as
well as air conditioning. Porsche 911 GT2 RS sports cars with the
Weissach package are exceedingly rare. They represent the pinnacle
of performance for Porsche's 991, a level of technology not likely
to be approached by the new 992 until near the end of the new
model's production run.
The 911 GT2 RS offered here features the wanted and expensive
Weissach Package. It is finished in Porsche's distinctive,
race-inspired GT Silver Metallic over a black leather and Alcantata
interior with Platinum Grey stitching. Additional optional
equipment includes the front axle lift system, light design
package, Bose surround sound system, voice control, chrono package
with lap trigger, carbon fiber window triangle trim and illuminated
carbon fiber door sills, and a 23.8-gallon extended range fuel
tank. The 911 GT2 Weissach Package balances luxury and performance.
Its sports seats are covered in leather and Alcantara, with
�Weissach RS' stitched into the fixed headrests. Carbon fiber trim
dominates the Porsche's dashboard. A Weissach RS badge is attached
to the panel covering its cupholders on the passenger's side of the
dashboard. Showing just 55 miles, the GT2 RS is as near to new as
anyone is likely to find. It was built in July 2018 and delivered
originally to New Mexico through Porsche Plano near Dallas.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires wrap its 20- and 21-in. Satin
Black magnesium center-lock wheels. Included is also the spare set
of aluminum wheels with tires that the car was delivered with when
production shortages called for post-delivery installation of the
factory lightweight magnesium wheels. Yellow calipers for its
carbon ceramic brakes are easy to see between its narrow wheel
spokes. Carbon fiber ducts on its front fenders both give the 911
GT2 RS its unique look and help to cool the brakes during serious
driving. Like other Weissach Package 911 GT2 RSes, the carbon fiber
hood and roof panel are partially unpainted. The rear spoiler
displays a distinctive Porsche script.
As the ultimate 991-generation Porsche 911, the GT2 RS with the
Weissach Package follows in the tire marks of the automaker's other
showcase cars such as the 959, 996 GT1, and the 918. The eager 911
GT2 RS Weissach raised the bar for Porsche's definitive sports car
and is bound to remain a sound investment.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.
