The legend of the Porsche 911 GT2

What is the Porsche 911 GT2?

The story behind the most iconic and revered versions of the 911 of all time

September 4, 2025 | 5 min read

Born on the racetrack, homologated for the road, the 911 GT2 is the spearhead of a long line of hyper-performance 911 sportscars

Two letters, one number. But so much meaning. The GT2 name was introduced to the 911 range in 1994 to satisfy homologation demands for international GT2 class racing. What evolved, however, has become one of the most legendary and powerful road-going Porsche cars of all time.

Based on the 911 Turbo, the GT2 features a similar twin-turbocharged motor – only one in which the wick has been turned right up. More power, less weight and rear-wheel drive instead of the standard four-wheel drive of the Turbo has become the hallmark of the GT2 since its launch. A bigger wing and wide arches complete the race car-for-the-road look. The result is an icon of Porsche performance and the most extreme car in the 911 range. Let’s take a look at the different 911 GT2 models over the past three decades.

Porsche 911 GT2 (type 993)

The air-cooled 993 version of the 911 was the first car to get the GT2 treatment. The flat-six, twin-turbo engine from the 993 Turbo had power increased from 408 PS to 430 PS resulting in the top speed rising from 290 to 295 km/h (180 mph to 183 mph). As weight saving is, of course, the name of the game for the GT2, the type 993 version was on a strict diet. As well as losing the driven front axle of the 993 Turbo, the GT2 version had no rear seats or even a rear wiper. The boot lid and doors were fashioned from aluminium and the rear and side windows were made of thinner glass.

Added up, this shaved 205 kg off the kerb weight of the Turbo. The 993 GT2 featured the front spoiler from the 993 RS and had plastic wheel arch extensions that could be easily replaced in the event of a racetrack collision. At the time, it was the fastest and most powerful model in the Porsche range. In 1998, Porsche boosted the GT2 even further, with power rising to 450 PS. In total, there were 172 versions with 430 PS and 21 of the more powerful 993 GT2 models built.

Porsche 911 GT2 (type 996)

While the 993 was the last air-cooled Porsche, the 996 welcomed a new generation of water-cooled 911 models. Designed as a road car from the off, the 996 GT2 was introduced in 2001and stuck to the same philosophy as the 993 version – less weight, more power and rear-wheel drive.

It’s a recipe that has stood the test of time. The result was a 10 per cent boost over the power of the 996 Turbo, taking the 996 GT2 up to 462 PS. It was later increased to 483 PS, cementing the status of the 996 GT2 as the fastest and most powerful 911 in the range with a top speed of 319 km/h (198 mph). The 996 GT2 was also the first Porsche (along with the 911 Turbo of the same era) to be fitted with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCM). These brakes were 50 per cent lighter and increased braking performance.

Porsche 911 GT2 (type 997.1)

As was becoming a bit of a trend with the GT2, at launch the 997.1 version was the fastest road-going Porsche 911 ever. Developed by the Porsche Motorsport team at Weissach, Germany, the 3.6-litre flat-six engine of the base 997 Turbo gained 50 PS, bringing the total to 530 PS.

Helping the GT2 along the way were two new variable geometry turbochargers and a strict diet, that included removing the rear seats and taking out some of the car’s insulation. Only available with a six-speed manual transmission, the 997.1 GT2 could rocket from 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and sprint to a maximum speed of 328 km/h (204 mph).

Porsche 911 GT2 RS (type 997.2)

Hot on the heels of the 997.1 GT2 was the RS version. Porsche increased the power to 620 PS, 90 more than the GT2, and weight was reduced further with carbon fibre reinforced plastic, including a plastic rear window and a single mass fly wheel. The 997.2 GT2 RS was only available in Guards Red, Carrera White, GT Silver or Black with gold or silver wheels. Only 500 cars were made.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS (type 991.2)

Meet the fastest and most powerful road-going Porsche 911 ever. Based on the 991 Turbo S, the GT2 RS adds 120 PS for a total power output of 700 PS. That was enough to see the car rocket from 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph). To increase power, Porsche added larger turbochargers to push more air into the engine.

A new lightweight titanium exhaust system, a carbon bonnet, a magnesium roof and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic for many of the exterior parts, helped bring the kerbweight of the 991.2 GT2 RS down to impressive levels. The optional Weissach package – with magnesium wheels and a carbon roof – brought the weight down by a further 30 kg.

The rear-drive 991.2 GT2 RS featured rear-axle steering to aid agility and wore Ultra High Performance tyres for even more grip. Powerful air intakes and the imposing rear wing weren’t for visual effect either – they are integral to the car’s aerodynamics.

The 991 GT2 MR, which features aerodynamics and chassis developments as part of the Manthey Racing performance kit, set the lap record for the fastest production Porsche at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2021. Porsche test driver Lars Kern set the current second-fastest lap time of 6 minutes 43.30 seconds, beating the previous lap record for a production car by 4.747 seconds. At the time, it was the fastest ever time for a road car.

Watch the 991.2 GT2 RS Manthey Performance Nürburgring lap

?si=ajKZsPLAJV1ANXRZ

Porsche Taycan 4S Black Edition parked outside modern building

Which Porsche cars are electric?

Porsche has two fully-electric model ranges, as well as several models which feature hybrid power. Here’s a full list of those currently available

Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé and Porsche Macan 4S Electric

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: what are the differences?

The Macan Electric and Cayenne are two of the most popular Porsche models, blending SUV practicality with the standout performance and dynamic ability. But what makes each one different?

Porsche 911 GT3 RS driving on the Nürburgring

Watch the five fastest Porsche laps at the Nürburgring

Meet the Porsche road cars that are among the fastest cars at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife