At one point, I asked Rhrl (who helped fine-tune the car at the Nrburgring) if he was bored silly giving rides at an airport. He pointed to the leaden skies and said: "With the rain and with traction control completely turned off, there is a challenge, because this car has so much power. So," he yelled, grinning as the engine feasted loudly on its charged mixture, "I'm having quite a bit of fun."
Fun? To me, it was an astonishing display of grace under power and a glimpse into the true heart of Porsche, which clearly resides in small town in Swabia. Enlightenment happens in the strangest places.
2008 Porsche 911 GT2
-Layout
Longitudinal rear engine, rear-wheel drive
-Engine
3.6-liter flat six, dohc, 24-valve, turbocharged and intercooled
-Transmission
Six-speed manual
-Suspension
F: Independent, MacPherson-type, fully-controlled gas pressure shocks within cylindrical springs
R: Independent, five-arm, fully-controlled gas pressure shocks within cylindrical springs
-Brakes
F: Six-piston monobloc calipers, cross-drilled 14.9-inch inner-vented ceramic compound rotors
R: Four-piston monobloc calipers, cross-drilled 13.8-inch inner-vented ceramic compound rotors
-Dimensions
Length/Width/Height (in.): 175.9/72.9/50.6
Wheelbase: 92.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3,175 lb
-Performance
Peak Power: 530 hp @ 6500 rpm
Peak Torque: 501 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm
0-62 mph: 3.7 sec.
Top Speed: 204 mph
-What we like:
Massive power, high-speed stability, rear-drive fun
-What we don't:
Just 200 examples will be crafted for North America