Porsche 911 GT2 RS will cost $645K

The most powerful road-going 911 of all time was unveiled officially at Goodwood Festival of Speed in the south of England today.

With 515kW (700hp), the 911 GT2 RS is also likely to be the most expensive series production Porsche ever sold Down Under – especially when its ultra-exclusive and as yet unpriced ‘lightweighting’ Weissach package is factored in.

As it is, the rear-drive, twin-turbo, twin-clutch-only GT2 RS has a local starting price of $645,700.

Thanks to a combination of its 750Nm output and the PDK twin-clutch auto’s launch control, the car will accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 2.8 seconds.

Based on our experience of Porsche’s regular over-achieving in this measure, that could be a real-world time of 2.6 or even 2.5sec, making it one of the world’s quickest ever production cars.

And for the record, the car has a top speed of 340km/h, the company claims.

Powering the GT2 RS is a fettled version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat six that is fitted to the 911 Turbo S. Unlike the Turbo, however, the RS puts all its power to the ground via the rear wheels only.

The engine benefits from larger turbochargers, a revised cooling system and intercooler spray cooling to maximise boost pressures and minimise intake temperatures.

And attention to detail has also been turned up to 11 when it comes to weight. Even without the optional Weissach pack, a fully-fueled GT2 RS weighs in at a svelte 1470kg. This is around 200kg less than the already very capable (and rapid), 911 Turbo S.

Exotic materials abound. The GT2’s exhaust system is titanium, the roof is magnesium, and carbon-fibre composites are used for the bonnet, front wings, wheel housing vents, mirror shells, air intakes on the rear side sections and other “parts of the rear end”.

An aggressive aero package is standard, as are 20/21-inch staggered wheels. The front tyres are 265/35 ZR 20s, with the rears being beefy 325/30 ZR 21s. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also standard.

The optional Weissach package rips another 30kg from the GT2 RS. The package includes a carbon roof and front and rear anti-roll bars and their couplings. Magnesium alloy wheels are also specified. There are also unique trim and paint finishes.

The Weissach package is expected to be priced ‘north’ of $65,000.

Inside the 911 GT2 RS, red Alcantara, black leather and carbon-weave details set the scene. Carbon-backed sports buckets are standard.

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) powers the infotainment system and the Connect Plus module and Porsche Track Precision app are also included, enabling “detailed recording, display and analysis of driving data on a smartphone”.

The optional Chrono Package (yes, it’s still optional – on a $645K car!), says Porsche, “expands the PCM functions to include performance display, which can be used to show, save and evaluate track times.

“The package also includes a stopwatch on the switch panel with both analogue and digital display. What's more, the Chrono Package on the 911 GT2 RS comes with a lap trigger. Using the Porsche Track Precision app in conjunction with external markers on a start/finish straight, this lap trigger enables drivers to record lap times with a high level of precision,” Porsche’s press blurb reads.

And in case you’ve got any coin over when you’ve specified your GT2 RS, there’s even a custom watch available only to GT2 RS buyers. The Porsche Design timepiece features the first clock movement developed by company. No price has been announced for the titanium ticker.

First confirmed in March and then officially teased last month, Porsche’s new GT2 RS is not a limited-edition a la the recent 911 R.

As such, the company is playing down the likelihood of speculators purchasing the car and forcing transaction prices higher.

Examples of the GT3-based 911 R have been advertised for re-sale on carsales.com.au for seven figures. Porsche Australia has claimed it will take steps to combat such profiteering in the future.

Porsche Cars Australia spokesperson Paul Ellis says the local operation will be putting its hand up for “as many as we can get”.

“It’s not a limited-edition but it will [like the GT3 RS] be built for a limited period of time,” Ellis advised.

Porsche recently announced a limited-edition version of the 911 Turbo S. The 446kW Exclusive is priced from $590,700. Just 500 will be built, with Australian buyers already on the waiting list for the bespoke cars.