2008 Porsche 911 GT2



911 GT2 What is it?
The most powerful production 911 Porsche has ever built thanks to its 3.6-litre, twin-turbocharged, complete with variable turbine-technology, flat-six engine which knocks out a not to be sniffed at 530hp and 501lb ft of torque.

It’s a more powerful 911 Turbo, then?
Not quite. It’s rear-wheel drive for start, has a traction and stability control in place of the more sophisticated Porsche Stability Management and comes fitted, as standard, with Michelin’s über sticky Pilot Sport Cup tyre. It also comes with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as standard, its PASM suspension has been retuned too and it was the first Porsche road car to come equipped with a launch control function.

Is it any quicker?
Of course it is. And then some. With the launch control it will bang in 3.7-second runs to 60mph all day long and it will smash passed 100mph in 7.9 seconds – half a second quicker than the Turbo. The in-gear times don’t show such impressive gains until you start to drive into the big numbers. It’s down to the more highly strung turbos generating some old fashioned turbo lag, but when the fuel is pouring through them at a rate of knots the GT2 gets on with reeling in the horizon with an unsuitable appetite.

It’s a bit of handful, then?
It’s not the ditch finding, window maker some people will try and have you believe, but it’s no Carrera either. It will do the daily grind with effortless ease but there is a sharper edge to its ride, the steering is a little numb at low speeds and every road in the UK feels far to small to be able to extract the available performance from it. On a track, and at he limit it remains progressive and communicative.

What else makes it special?
It uses the wider Carrera 4 bodyshell just like the Turbo but has its own aero kit which includes a deeper, more aggressive front air intakes and lower spoiler, as well a unique rear bumper complete with a diffuser. The rear wing is fixed and includes a ram-air effect intake for engine on either side, and the opening on the leading edge of the bonnet draws cooler air through the radiators mounted at the front of the car. Inside it is available with the first carbon-fibre back bucket seat that can be tipped forward to ease access to the rear seat area, not that there are any rear seats, just a maze of roll cage if you order your car in Club Sport spec. The steering wheel and gearknob also get a covering of alcantara.

Verdict
Neither as pure or sharp as a GT3, or RS or as perfect an all rounder as the Turbo, the GT2 is an acquired taste, but one that could become dangerously addictive.

Specification
911 GT2
Engine: 3600cc, flat-six water-cooled, twin turbocharged with VTG
Max Power: 530hp @ 6500rpm
Max Torque: 501lb ft @ 2200 - 4500rpm
Weight: 1440kg
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Max Speed: 204mph
0-60mph: 3.7 seconds
Price: £131,070


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