What is it?
2002 Porsche 911 GT2
What's special about it?
Everything. This is the baddest, meanest, quickest, fastest and best handling 911 ever. It's simply the most powerful production Porsche to be sold in the States. Hang on for a techno tour-de-force like you've never seen.
A big step beyond the "standard" 911 Turbo, the GT2 is basically a racecar for the street. The engine is a modified version of the 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat six found in the Turbo. It makes a staggering 456 horsepower at 5,700 rpm compared to "only" 415 in the lesser Turbo. Keep in mind, 3.6 liters might sound big, but we're talking only 220 cubic inches here. An equally amazing 457 foot-pounds of torque is on tap from 3,500-4,500 rpm.
While the 911 Turbo is all-wheel drive, the GT2 uses rear-drive to reduce weight. The power increase and approximate 220-pound weight savings to 3,175 pounds gives the car a power-to-weight ratio of about 6.8 pounds per horsepower. Projected zero-to-60 times should be in the 4-second-flat range with a top speed of nearly 200 mph.
Design changes that set the GT2 apart from the 911 Turbo include a one-piece fixed rear wing that replaces the two-piece automatic deploying spoiler on the Turbo. The spoiler on the GT2 can be adjusted manually. Compared to the rear wing on the Turbo, the GT2's version is higher and extends further to the back to produce even greater downforce at higher speeds. Ducts in two ends of the wing feed fresh air to the engine. Air enters a collector box inside the wing, going straight into the air filter.
While the GT2 shares several bits with the Turbo, it makes more boost at 29 psi (2 bar) compared to 26.8 psi for the Turbo. The GT2 has bigger intercoolers to keep the air charge temperature down despite increased boost pressures.
Typical of racecars, the GT2 has a dry sump oiling system with a separate oil tank. Volume for the system is 11.6 quarts. A six-speed transmission puts the power down and it also has its own fluid-cooling system. The Tiptronic automatic is not available on the GT2.
A full complement of suspension updates are part of the GT2, including racing springs that lower the car 0.8 inches compared to the Turbo. Adjustable anti-sway bars are also fitted as well as modified suspension geometry adjustments to accommodate racing tires.
The GT2 uses bigger wheels and tires than the Turbo. The front 18x8.5-inch wheels have 235/40ZR18 tires, while the rear 18x12s have massive 315/30ZR18s.
Finally, the GT2 has a standard Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system with ceramic discs that weigh 50 percent less than traditional metal discs. Unsprung weight is therefore reduced by 36.6 pounds, thus enhancing suspension response. Optional on the 911 Turbo, this system is identified by the yellow brake calipers on the GT2.
Why should you care?
While few of use will be able to ever afford the price of this car -- as it will be considerably more than the 911 Turbo's tab of around 120 bills -- the GT2 is easily one of the most amazing performance machines to ever come out of Germany. The fact Porsche is making the GT2 at all indicates that we're in a golden age for performance never seen before.
2002 Porsche 911 GT2
What's special about it?
Everything. This is the baddest, meanest, quickest, fastest and best handling 911 ever. It's simply the most powerful production Porsche to be sold in the States. Hang on for a techno tour-de-force like you've never seen.
A big step beyond the "standard" 911 Turbo, the GT2 is basically a racecar for the street. The engine is a modified version of the 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat six found in the Turbo. It makes a staggering 456 horsepower at 5,700 rpm compared to "only" 415 in the lesser Turbo. Keep in mind, 3.6 liters might sound big, but we're talking only 220 cubic inches here. An equally amazing 457 foot-pounds of torque is on tap from 3,500-4,500 rpm.
While the 911 Turbo is all-wheel drive, the GT2 uses rear-drive to reduce weight. The power increase and approximate 220-pound weight savings to 3,175 pounds gives the car a power-to-weight ratio of about 6.8 pounds per horsepower. Projected zero-to-60 times should be in the 4-second-flat range with a top speed of nearly 200 mph.
Design changes that set the GT2 apart from the 911 Turbo include a one-piece fixed rear wing that replaces the two-piece automatic deploying spoiler on the Turbo. The spoiler on the GT2 can be adjusted manually. Compared to the rear wing on the Turbo, the GT2's version is higher and extends further to the back to produce even greater downforce at higher speeds. Ducts in two ends of the wing feed fresh air to the engine. Air enters a collector box inside the wing, going straight into the air filter.
While the GT2 shares several bits with the Turbo, it makes more boost at 29 psi (2 bar) compared to 26.8 psi for the Turbo. The GT2 has bigger intercoolers to keep the air charge temperature down despite increased boost pressures.
Typical of racecars, the GT2 has a dry sump oiling system with a separate oil tank. Volume for the system is 11.6 quarts. A six-speed transmission puts the power down and it also has its own fluid-cooling system. The Tiptronic automatic is not available on the GT2.
A full complement of suspension updates are part of the GT2, including racing springs that lower the car 0.8 inches compared to the Turbo. Adjustable anti-sway bars are also fitted as well as modified suspension geometry adjustments to accommodate racing tires.
The GT2 uses bigger wheels and tires than the Turbo. The front 18x8.5-inch wheels have 235/40ZR18 tires, while the rear 18x12s have massive 315/30ZR18s.
Finally, the GT2 has a standard Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system with ceramic discs that weigh 50 percent less than traditional metal discs. Unsprung weight is therefore reduced by 36.6 pounds, thus enhancing suspension response. Optional on the 911 Turbo, this system is identified by the yellow brake calipers on the GT2.
Why should you care?
While few of use will be able to ever afford the price of this car -- as it will be considerably more than the 911 Turbo's tab of around 120 bills -- the GT2 is easily one of the most amazing performance machines to ever come out of Germany. The fact Porsche is making the GT2 at all indicates that we're in a golden age for performance never seen before.
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