Porsche history · 2010–2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS: History, Specs & What to Know

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS is the most extreme version of the rear-drive, turbocharged GT2. Porsche built two: the 997 GT2 RS of 2010–2011 with 620 PS, and the 991 GT2 RS of 2017–2019 with 700 PS and a 340 km/h top speed — the fastest series-production 911 Porsche had made.

The GT2 started with the 993 as a rear-wheel-drive version of the twin-turbo 911 Turbo, without the Turbo's all-wheel drive. Each later generation kept the formula: the 996 GT2 was the first Porsche with ceramic composite brakes as standard, and the 997 GT2 used the Turbo's variable-geometry turbochargers.

The RS badge arrived in 2010. The 997 GT2 RS lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:18. The 991 GT2 RS went further: 700 PS from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six, and on 20 September 2017 a 6:47.3 lap that set a record for road-legal cars at the time.

GT2 RS history: what changed, year by year

  1. 993 era — 993 GT2: rear-wheel drive, up to 450 PS; Porsche's figures add up to 193 built across two series.[1],[2]
  2. 2001 — 996 GT2 debuts (top track speed 195 mph), the first model with PCCB ceramic brakes as standard; up to 483 PS.[3],[4]
  3. 2007–2008 — 997 GT2 with 530 PS.[5]
  4. 2010 — 997 GT2 RS: 620 PS and a 7:18 Nordschleife lap.[6]
  5. 2017 — 991 GT2 RS: 700 PS, 340 km/h top speed; 6:47.3 at the Nordschleife on 20 September.[7],[8]
  6. 2018 — Porsche builds 77 examples of the 935 track car on the 991 GT2 RS.[9]

How many GT2 RSs were made?

Porsche 911 GT2 RS production figures (units). ≈ marks a figure Porsche gives as approximate.
Model / variantYearsUnitsWhat the figure counts
993—≈ 193[1],[2]total built (172 first run + 21 second series)Total is the sum of Porsche's two-series breakdown; Porsche's 993 history page calls it 'limited to an edition of 100'.
935 (clubsport race car)201877[9]limited to 77 units

More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.

GT2 RS variants and engines

Key Porsche 911 GT2 RS variants. Power in PS (metric horsepower) as Porsche quotes it, or hp where marked.
VariantYearsEnginePowerNotes
993 GT21995–19983.6 L twin-turbo, air-cooledup to 450 PS[1]Rear-wheel drive.
996 GT22001–20053.6 L twin-turbo, water-cooledup to 483 PS[4],[5]US 456 hp, then 477 hp; PCCB standard.
997 GT22008–20093.6 L twin-turbo (VTG)530 hp (US)[5]
997 GT2 RS2011 (US)3.6 L twin-turbo flat-6620 PS[5],[6]US launch MSRP $245,000.
991 GT2 RS2018–2019 (US)3.8 L twin-turbo flat-6700 PS[5],[7]340 km/h; US rating 700 hp.

Full trim-by-trim figures (US hp, torque, 0–60, weight, launch MSRP): Porsche 911 GT2 RS specs.

GT2 RS engine and drivetrain facts

  • Every GT2 and GT2 RS is rear-wheel drive with a twin-turbo flat-six — the opposite of the all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo it is based on.[1],[5]
  • The 991 GT2 RS was the fastest series-production 911 in Porsche's history at 340 km/h.[7]
  • The 991 GT2 RS's 6:47.3 lap was driven by a Porsche factory driver on standard tires, with a notary present.[8]

What to check before you buy a GT2 RS

  • Check for documented track use and the condition of brakes, tires and suspension; these cars were built for circuits and many have been driven there.
  • Confirm the Weissach Package and other options on 991 GT2 RS cars from the factory record — it is a significant value item.
  • 996 and 997 GT2s use the Mezger engine with bonded coolant pipes; ask whether they have been pinned or replaced.[10]
  • Verify any GT2 conversion claims: the VIN and build record identify a genuine GT2 or GT2 RS.

Documented problems, recalls and pre-purchase checks: Mezger coolant pipes (996/997 GT2) · Porsche 911 known issues by generation.

How to verify a GT2 RS's factory options

GT2 RS values turn on specification. A build sheet pulled from a US-market VIN lists the factory paint, interior and option codes recorded for that car, which is how you confirm a Weissach Package or special-order paint.

See exactly how this GT2 RS left the factory.

The CarWhere build sheet decodes a US-market Porsche VIN into its factory record: paint, interior, option codes and equipment as built. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay.

Porsche build sheet by VIN

Porsche 911 GT2 RS FAQ

How much horsepower does the Porsche GT2 RS have?

The 997 GT2 RS (2010–2011) makes 620 PS. The 991 GT2 RS (2017–2019) makes 700 PS, rated 700 hp in the US.

How fast is the Porsche GT2 RS?

The 991 GT2 RS has a 340 km/h (about 211 mph) top speed, which Porsche says made it the fastest series-production 911 to that point.

What was the GT2 RS Nürburgring time?

The 991 GT2 RS lapped the Nordschleife in 6:47.3 on 20 September 2017, a record for road-legal cars at the time. The 997 GT2 RS ran 7:18.

Is the GT2 RS all-wheel drive?

No. Every GT2 and GT2 RS is rear-wheel drive, unlike the 911 Turbo they are based on.

What is the difference between a GT2 RS and a GT3 RS?

Engine type. The GT2 RS uses a twin-turbocharged flat-six (700 PS in the 991), while the GT3 RS uses a high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six (520 PS in the 991.2). Both are rear-wheel drive.

Related Porsche history

Specs, production and buying research

Sources

Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.

  1. The 993: Pinnacle of the air-cooled era and the last of its kind (part 4) — Porsche Newsroom
  2. Exclusive and individual: Porsche 911 GT2 - Coppa Florio — Porsche Newsroom
  3. Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
  4. Seven generations of the 911, part 5: Type 996 — Porsche Newsroom
  5. Porsche 911 specs by generation (US-market figures, each sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research
  6. The 997: Technology offensive, new design and great variety for the 911 (part 6) — Porsche Newsroom
  7. The seven generations of the Porsche 911 (Part 7) - The 991: the 911 passes the one million mark (press release, 27 Nov 2018) — Porsche Newsroom
  8. Porsche GT2 RS sets world record at the Nürburgring (reprint of the Porsche release, Sept. 27, 2017) — The Auto Channel (secondary reference)
  9. World premiere: Exclusive new edition of the Porsche 935 — Porsche Newsroom
  10. Porsche 911 known issues by generation (each issue sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research

Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.