2008 Porsche 911 GT2

The Porsche 911 has been the ultimate day to day supercar since its incarnation. There is just no other car that has the ability to outdo even the best supercars whilst being comfortable enough for a day to day driver.

Although it hasn’t exactly changed looks in the last few decades, Porsche continue to release more and more variants and updates. Porsche Australia today announced plans for the new Porsche 911 GT2. Arriving in Australia in March next year, the GT2 will take the title as the most powerful 911 model ever certified for road use.

Using a modified 911 Turbo 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, the GT2 produces an enormous 390 kW of power (530 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 680 Nm of torque (501 lb-ft) between 2,200 and 4,500 rpm. The figures put the 911 GT2 37 kW and 60 Nm above the current 911 Turbo. The engine is force fed by two exhaust gas turbochargers using variable turbine geometry (VTG).

The GT2 comes equipped with electronically controlled Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM) connected to 19-inch light-alloy wheels running 235/35 ZR 19 sport tyres on the front and 325/30 ZR 19 at the rear.

Given its brute nature, the GT2 is all about power to weight and coming in at just 1,440 kg the car offers a power-to-weight ratio of 3.69 kg per kilowatt (compare this to the 307kW HSV R8, which has a 5.73kg/kW ratio).

0-100 km/h? 3.7 seconds! Faster than a Ferrari F430, and 0.1 second slower than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640! The 911 GT2 has a top speed of 329 km/h. Given the car was originally designed for track specific use, it is only available as rear-wheel drive coupled to a manual six-speed gearbox.

You might have frowned when I compared the power to weight ratio of this to the HSV R8, but the main reason was to mention fuel economy. The 911 GT2 uses only 12.5 litres/100 km! A figure that seems almost impossible to believe given the power levels. The HSV R8 uses 15.3 litres/100km, to be fair, there is no basis for comparison given the price difference.

The reason for the massive power figures and nearly unbelievable fuel economy levels is due to, you guessed it, German engineering. Porsche’s engineers have taken turboengines to a new level by combining the turbocharged engine with an expansion-type intake manifold. Porsche says

the expansion intake manifold uses the principle of oscillating air in the intake manifold during the cooler expansion phase, keeping the temperature of the fuel/air mixture lower than in the 911 Turbo.

This, in turn, means a significant increase in all-round efficiency, with fuel consumption down by up to 15 per cent under full load despite the increase in engine output.

In order to pass some of the noise regulations around the world, Porsche have fitted a rear silencer to the car, while they were at it they have also put titanium tailpipes as standard equipment on the GT2. This helps reduce weight by more than 50% (compared to stainless steel exhausts).

As for the brakes, the 911 GT2 is fitted with PCCB brakes featuring brake discs made of a composite carbon fibre/ceramic compound. The ceramic compound ensures effortless stopping power while also reducing unsprung weight by 20 kg versus comparable grey cast-iron discs.

Arriving in March 2008, the new 911 GT2 is priced from $425,700.