The Porsche 911 GT2

Press Release

The 2002 Porsche® 911® GT2 takes its place at the top of the current Porsche model range as the most powerful and fastest member of the 911 family. The turbocharged GT2 is 10-percent more powerful and seven-percent lighter than the 911 Turbo on which it is based, and its chassis modifications come directly from Porsche's road racing experience. "The GT2 is the best example yet of how Porsche applies its racing experience and success to production cars," said Frederick J. Schwab, president and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. Race Record Setter The biggest weight savings over the 911 Turbo comes from making the GT2 rear-wheel drive (the 911 Turbo is all-wheel drive). Porsche tests all its models at the world-famous Nurburgring racetrack in Germany, where the GT2 shattered all lap time records for street-legal production cars -- including a few set by other Porsches. 456-Horsepower Twin Turbo Engine The 911 GT2 engine, a modified version of the 3.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder "boxer" engine from the 911 Turbo, produces 456 horsepower (SAE) at 5,700 rpm compared to 415 horsepower at 6,000 rpm in the 911 Turbo. Thepower increase and approximately 220-pound total weight reduction give the 911 GT2 a power-to-weight ratio of 6.9 lb. per horsepower (4.23 kg per kW), resulting in even more astounding performance than the 911 Turbo. The 911 GT2 is capable of accelerating from zero-to-62 mph (zero-to-100 km/h) in about four seconds and can achieve a top track speed of 195 mph (315 km/h). Functional Design Design changes that set the 911 GT2 apart from the 911 Turbo also add function, including larger front air intakes and an additional air intake ahead of the front hood. In back, redesigned air intake scoops moved far to the outside reveal the greater need for cooling air. The 911 GT2 replaces the two-piece automatic-deploying spoiler of the 911 Turbo with a new, one-piece fixed-design wing. As on the 911 Turbo, Bi-Xenon headlights are standard. More Downforce Because the 911 GT2 is capable of extremely high racetrack speeds, Porsche refined the aerodynamic characteristics to produce greater downforce, even sacrificing a lower coefficient of drag (Cd) to do so. Suspension modifications lower the car by 0.78-inches front and rear, reducing both wind resistance over the car and the airflow beneath the car that can cause lift. The changes reduce undercar airflow by 60 percent compared to the 911 Turbo. Ducting hot air away from the front central radiator through a vent in the hood also reduces lift forces. The front edge design of this vent causes air flowing above the car to generate and additional suction effect, which in turn increases velocity of air flowing through the central radiator. The lower section of the front apron, too, has been designed to generate additional downforce on the front of the car while reducing airflow underneath it. The three large polypropylene panels used on all 911 models merge into a special panel under the GT2 that directs cooling air to the transmission. Compared with the rear wing of the 911 Turbo, the wing on the 911 GT2 is higher and extends further to the back to produce even greater downforce at higher speeds. Ducts in the ends of the wing feed fresh air to the engine. Air enters a collector box inside the wing and then goes straight into the air filter. The wing angle can be adjusted from 1-6 degrees for racetrack driving.