Porsche reveals extreme 911 GT2 RS

WITH VIDEO-- Porsche has revealed its most powerful and arguably most extreme road-going 911 to date: the GT2 RS.

The new rear-wheel-drive road rocket will debut publicly at the Moscow auto show in late August and will go on sale in the United States in October. Sticker price: $245,000.

The GT2 RS, to be built in a limited run of 500, is powered by the latest evolution of Zuffenhausen's 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, tuned to deliver a Le Mans-grade 620 hp. That's 90 hp more than the out-of-production 911 GT2 and 8 hp beyond the German carmaker's previously most powerful road car, the 5.7-liter, naturally aspirated V10-powered Carrera GT.

The Metzger engine, named for the motorsport engineer responsible for its original design, eschews the direct injection of Porsche's newer 3.8-liter six-cylinders for an older sequential fuel-injection system, boosted by the latest BorgWarner turbochargers.

Drive is channeled to lightweight, 19-inch, center-bolt, forged-alloy rear wheels via a beefed-up six-speed manual gearbox and a mechanical locking differential backed up by a recalibrated stability program.

With a series of weight-saving measures, including a carbon-fiber hood and rear wing and interior features such as racing bucket seats, the 911 GT2 RS tips the scales at 3,014 pounds--154 pounds less than the three-year-old 911 GT2. Aerodynamic upgrades include a 0.4-inch-taller rear wing, providing added rear-end downforce, and widened front fenders to accommodate a wider front track.

Although it's not the fastest-accelerating 911 of all time, the 911 GT2 RS's performance is still extraordinary. Porsche claims 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds (0.2 second faster than the 911 GT2), 0 to 124 mph in 9.8 seconds and 0 to 186 mph in 28.9 seconds. Top speed is 205 mph at redline in sixth gear.

A unique chassis setup that includes Porsche Active Suspension Management, with variable damping control, provides added agility.

Porsche claims that the 911 GT2 RS lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 18 seconds--19 seconds quicker than the new 911 Turbo S. That's a time that would give it No. 1 billing among series production cars on standard road tires at the legendary German circuit.

Watch driving footage of the 911 GT2 RS below. There's no sound, but interactive editor Dale Jewett says make your own awesome music video by cueing up Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" for background music.

PRESS RELEASE: Porsche 911 GT2 RS - Most Powerful, Street Legal Porsche Ever

Ultimate 911 extracts 620 ultra-efficient, twin-turbocharged horsepower from 3.6 liters; dramatically improved power-to-weight ratio and increased fuel economy

ATLANTA -- May 12, 2010 -- The time: seven minutes, 18 seconds on the Nurburgring-Nordschleife. The power: 620 hp. The weight: 3,020 lb (1,370 kilograms) in road trim with all fluids on board. The car: the new 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

90 More Horsepower, 154 lbs Less Filling

The latest 911 is the fastest and most powerful road-going sports car ever built in the history of Porsche. With horsepower (hp) up by 90 and weight down by 154 lbs (70 kilograms) in comparison with the previous 911 GT2, the new 911 GT2 RS has a power-to-weight ratio of just 4.9 lbs (2.21 kg) per horsepower, by far the best power/weight ratio in its class. These are the ideal ingredients for an ultra-high-performance sports car with supreme agility and truly blistering performance on the road. Perfectly illustrating Porsche Intelligent Performance, the 2011 GT2 RS achieves a reduction of approximately 5 percent for both fuel consumption and CO2 emission reduction when compared with the previous 911 GT2.

The 3.6 liter six-cylinder boxer engine features two variable turbine geometry turbochargers and provides power to the rear wheels exclusively through a six-speed manual gearbox. Equally impressive stopping power comes from Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB).

Unique Tires, One of a Kind Performance

New tires were specifically developed for the 911 GT2 RS and measure 245/35 ZR 19 at the front and 325/30 ZR 19 at the rear, delivering cornering performance to match the straight-line speed. Extreme cornering dynamics are ensured by the setup of the springs, Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM), unique anti-roll bars, specific engine mounts and recalibrated Porsche Stability Management (PSM), whose stability and traction control functions can be switched off individually.

The combined effect of these developments is evident on the racetrack. In fact, the ultimate 911 accelerates from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, boasts a top-track speed of 205 mph and laps the famed Nurburgring-Nordschleife racetrack in just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.

Carbon Fiber, Limited Production

In its looks, the new 911 GT2 RS stands out clearly from the other 911 models through the lavish use of carbon-fiber-reinforced CFR) components with a matt-black surface finish, even wider wheels (including flared wheel arches at the front), new light-alloy wheels with central locking and "GT2 RS" model designations on the doors and rear lid. Matte-finish carbon also graces the redesigned front spoiler lip and the 3/8th of an inch (10 mm) taller rear spoiler lip - which both enhance aerodynamics and provide extra downforce.

The interior of the 911 GT2 RS also exudes sporting performance in virtually every detail. Lightweight two-piece bucket seats made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic are standard, as are lightweight door panels with fabric straps instead of traditional door handles. The basic interior color is black, which contrasts with red elements, such as the seat center sections, the roof lining and segments of the steering wheel rim. The gearshift and handbrake lever are also finished in red alcantara.

Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the 911 GT2 RS will be available in the U.S. October 2010 and will have a MSRP of $245.000. The GT2 RS is making its world debut at the Moscow Auto Show on August 25th 2010.

By Greg Kable