It all began when a copy of the factory brochure introducing the new Porsche 911(997) GT2 hit the internet last week. Lately, Porsche made it official. The fastest 911 ever, is the most powerful and the meanest street-legal 911 yet.
The new Porsche 911 GT2 unites the extreme sporting character of the 911 GT3 with the equally supreme performance of the 911 Turbo. Through its striking design with large air intakes at the front and the rear wing so characteristic of this very special model, the new 911 GT2 expresses the power and performance potential of the fastest-ever 911 right from the start even at a standstill.
Available exclusively with rear-wheel drive and a manual six-speed gearbox, this high-performance ‘athlete’ accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph). This is combined with an average fuel consumption of 22.6mpg (12.5 litres/100km) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), thus offering a level of fuel economy regarded literally impossible in this performance class, just a few years ago.
The power unit is based on the six-cylinder boxer engine of the 911 turbo, with air supply by two exhaust gas turbochargers featuring variable turbine geometry (VTG). The engine achieves its maximum output of 530 bhp (390 kW) at 6500 rpm, with maximum torque of 680 Newton-meters maintained consistently between 2,200 and 4,500 rpm. With its unladen weight of 1,440 kg or 3,175 lb, the 911 GT2 offers a power-to-weight ratio of just 2.72 kg/6.00 lb per horsepower.
The 50 bhp increase in engine power is endowed with two turbochargers with a larger compressor wheel and a flow-optimized turbine housing raising turbocharger pressure to an even higher level. This is for the first time Porsche’s engineers have combined the turbocharged engine with an expansion-type intake manifold.
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 is the first Porsche homologated for the road to feature a rear silencer and tailpipes made of titanium as standard equipment. This expensive material reduces weight by approximately 50 per cent versus a comparable component made of stainless steel to just 9 kg.
The new 911 GT2 comes as standard with PCCB brakes featuring brake discs made of composite carbon fiber/ceramic compound ensuring maximum stopping power maintained with an extremely high level of consistency. The PCCB brake reduces the weight of the unsprung masses versus comparable grey cast-iron discs by approximately 20 kg or 44 lb.
Yet another feature fitted as standard is the electronically controlled PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management). The GT2 comes on 19-inch light-alloy wheels running at the front on 235/35 ZR 19, at the rear on 325/30 ZR 19 sports tyres.
The new 911 GT2 will include a Porsche Vehicle Tracking system (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and a Porsche Driving Experience course.
The supercar will make its debut at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, in September and arrives in Porsche’s Centers this November 2007.
Via: Automobilemag
