The 911 GT2 is the fastest and most powerful Porsche 911 homologated for the road to ever see the light of day. As for the 993 and the 996 GT2, also the 997 GT2 may be considered as the puristic and radical racing version of the 996 Turbo. Due to weight-saving requirements it also features rear-wheel drive and the minimum required (comfort) equipment only. The bodywork was modified, a new front bumper was designed no longer featuring fog lights and including a revised front lip. The GT2 has a different rear bumper including a larger rear wing with two small air scoops on either side. The Chassis basing on the 911 GT3, suspension and brakes have been geared specifically to the needs of this very dynamic car also including PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite) brakes eliminating fading, improving brake performance and reducing unsprung masses in the car by approximately 20 kg or 44 lb compared to cast-iron-brakes. The car is approximately 25 millimetres or 1.00" lower and firmer than the 911 Carrera.
The GT2’s engine again is a modified version of the Turbo’s powerplant. It features a remapped ECU raising boost to 1.4bar, different turbochargers with an enlarged compressor wheel and a flow-optimized turbine housing, a new expansion intake manifold system using the oscillating air during the cooler expansion phase and a back-pressure-optimized lightweight exhaust system partially made from titanium (titanium rear-end silencer and titanium tailpipes). The results of these modifications read as follows: 530bhp @ 6500rpm and a maximum torque of 680Nm available between 2200 and 4500rpm.
In contrary to all of his predecessors, the 997 features electronic assistants like PASM, PSM and Launch assistant allowing also the average driver to control its extreme power. Launch Assistant enables the driver to accelerate with optimum power and performance from a standstill via a feature added to the engine control unit.
The fastest of all models in the 911 series accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 329 km/h. Famous race car pilot and Porsche development team member Walter Röhrl drove the GT2 round the famous Nürburgring in 7:32’44 and therewith getting extremely close to Porsches supercar the Carrera GT.
Also the 997 GT3 follows the same principles as its predecessors providing pure, unadulterated driving pleasure. As typical for Porsche, there are no revolutionary in the evolution from the 996 to the 997 GT3. The changes may be best summarized as the optimization of an already brilliant puristic sportscar.
The powerplant of the 996 GT3 was used as a basis and was improved in some areas now featuring a variable intake system with a throttle valve enlarged from 76 to 82 millimetres, optimized cylinder heads and a new exhaust system with low backpressure. The water cooled flat six engine now reaches its nominal output of 415 bhp at 7,600 rpm and produces a specific output of (115.3 bhp) per litre of displacement, excellent performance data for a normally aspirated engine. At 8,400 rpm, the engine speed limit again lies 200 revolutions higher than for the 996.
Drivetrain optimization included revising the six-speed transmission now impressing with very short gearlever travel and thanks to the lower ratios of gears 2 and 6 very good acceleration. It features a mechanical limited slip differential.
The GT3 body includes a special front bumper improving cooling for the front-mounted radiators as well as a biplane rear spoiler resembling the design used with the 996 GT3 Mk1. The GT3 also features a special rear bumper and centre tailpipes which draw heat away from the engine.
The chassis is lowered compared to the Carrera and rides on 19inch lightweight wheels. The GT3 has become a more driver friendly car with "comfort" seats and the Porsche Communication Management system installed. Also PASM and Traction Control have been implemented into a GT3 model for the first time. The puristic driver may switch these off easily though.
The interior may still be described as puristic and weight-optimized.
The 997 GT3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reaches 160 km/h from a standing start in 8.7 seconds. Its top speed is 310 km/h.
