How a 992 GT2 RS Would Change the Auto Industry

Game Changers

Technology in general follows the curvature of human progress. Generally speaking, we tend to trundle along in our day-to-day lives with the tech that is available with micro increases in performance. And then, every once in a while, something big comes along that revamps what’s possible across the board. Fuel injection was one of the big ones as was modern understanding of aerodynamics. We see both of these unlocking boundaries that were previously untouchable in anything but thoroughbred racing cars. When it comes to companies in the automotive industry, Porsche is the equivalent of fuel injection: they tend to throw us a game changer every so often. 

Image courtesy of Porsche 

Nature of the Beast

Understanding that human progress is paved by tiny steps that inch toward major advancements, we can understand where the GT2 RS slots into the bigger picture. Where the 911 gets small bumps in horsepower over the years the GT2 has massive growth spurts in the engine department. Where the 993 made approximately 444bhp, we now see the current GT2 RS making 700bhp. If you plot the percentage increases over each generation, it sits at roughly 10% until the latest model upped the ante by roughly 32%. At that rate, a next-generation RS would make well over 900bhp. What would that mean for acceleration times? Staggering figures, that’s what.

Image courtesy of Porsche

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60 Times

The very first version of this pavement crusher would hit 60mph in 3.9 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds. 996s had the same exact performance, but then the 997 showed up. 60mph sprints stayed roughly the same with the quarter mile dropping almost one full second. This is a huge change in quantifiable speed that the 991 only further obliterated. The latest models are ripping up these tests in 2.7 seconds and 10.5 seconds respectively. With the way tire technology progresses as well as gearbox and traction management systems, it seems very realistic that a next-gen GT2 RS would be fully capable of 60mph in 2.5 seconds—or maybe even less—with the quarter mile being served up in the 9-second range. Insane. 

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Nurburgring Lap Data

From the 993's time of 7:46 in 1999 to the 991s current lap of 6:47, we see an improvement of roughly one second for every year the GT2 RS has been around. It also shows you how much engine horsepower is a factor on this circuit that features some of the highest speed corners of any track on the planet. Just recently, Porsche's own record was smashed by 7 seconds in a modified GT2 RS that featured the Weissach package and KW coilovers. The test was conducted on Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires with the OEM audio equipment removed from the test vehicle. Many have said that the 6:25 set by Stefan Bellof will never be broken, but I think that we will all see it shattered in our lifetime by a road going GT2 RS.

Image courtesy of Porsche 

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Active Aerodynamics

Porsche is one company that hasn’t really played around with active aero in the same way other manufacturers do. Part of this is that they understand what really matters on a road car and tend to shy away from gimmicks that don’t make for serious gains on the race track. That isn’t to say that these systems don’t have some effect on lap time, so you can bank on Porsche coming up with something radical on a next-gen car that is known for erring on the side of extremeness. 

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Road Legal Rubber

Tires are the single most important factor when it comes to making a fast car. All the downforce in the world means nothing if you run on winter tires or anything else that doesn’t stick to the road like a spilled bucket of Elmer’s school glue. Every year, Michelin Tires works closely with Porsche to analyze data and make improvements on how their tires interact with suspension systems, driver inputs, and road conditions. Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires are the latest batch of barely legal race rubber for the road and they’re only going to get better. Remember that with many of these lap records the company isn’t using a racing slick. It’s quite impressive how they manage to do this on DOT approved tires. Just one more reason Porsche is the best.  

>>Join the conversation about the impact of the 992 GT2 RS right here in Rennlist.com.

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