Porsche 911 GT2

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Icons of Porsche event in Dubai, where a dazzling array of Porsche GT2s from several generations was on display including the likes of the 997 and several variations of the 991. There was one that was also kitted out with a kit from Manthey Racing, who are an official race partner, tuning both race and road cars for the German brand. The GT2 is essentially the wild, untamed extension of the 911 Turbo. Where the Turbo is the polished, everyman supercar, the GT2 is a beast that trades comfort for raw performance. Porsche uses the GT2 to push the limits of the Turbo’s potential. The latest and final episode ’Turbo - Beyond Performance’ of Porsche Heritage Moments, (a series celebrating 50 years of the Tubro) featuring, Timo Bernhard, Thomas Krickelberg, and Frank Jung gives us some insights look at the engineering, history, and legacy of the Turbo’s wild cousin: the GT2. While the trio also touch upon the 911 Turbo 50th anniversary edition, I wanted to focus my attention on the pristine red 997 GT2 at the Porsche Museum.

Porsche makes some of the best sports cars in the world. Over the years, the brand has given us some capable machines, many of which are also suitable for daily use on public roads. That said, throughout Porsche’s history, many models have required drivers to be at the top of their game. Getting even near the car’s full potential demands the absolute best of the driver. While you might be quick to think of the original Porsche 911 Turbo (930), it is by far, not the only Porsche sports car to ask a lot from its drivers. Below, I have listed Porsche models, some more known than others, which wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you if you are not awake behind the wheel. There are classic race cars, supercars, and a few 911s, some of which are more recent. Without further ado, here are the seven most dangerous Porsche models that can be labeled as Widowmakers.

There aren’t many sports cars that can match the heritage of the Porsche 911. The car first saw the light of day back in September 1963, at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Since then, the 911 has been following the “evolution, not revolution” formula, which is why it is the only rear-engine sports car to this day. Each generation of the Porsche 911 has a version for everyone, which is why deciding on the perfect one is a difficult task.

The world of high-performance Porsche 911s can be a thrilling yet confusing entity. Among the most coveted models are those bearing the legendary "GT" designation, a badge signifying a lineage rooted in motorsport. "Gran Turismo," meaning "grand touring," refers to a time when comfortable yet capable sports cars were purpose-built for endurance racing. Porsche, recognizing the value of this proving ground, embraced GT racing early on with cars like the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT in 1957, followed by icons like the 356 B 1600 GS Carrera GTL Abarth and the 904 Carrera GTS.

The Porsche 911 has always had a myriad of versions, ranging from sporty grand tourers and supercar slayers to all-out track weapons. While the Turbo is the most recurring name when it comes to high-performance Porsche 911s that you can daily drive, there is another model that takes the usable sports car formula and makes it meaner. I am, of course, referring to the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which is essentially a more powerful, turbocharged GT3 RS. The GT2 RS is the most powerful variant of the Porsche 911 lineup with the exception of the GT1, but we haven’t had one of those in a while.

Calling all Porschephiles out there! Forget museum displays – the Porsche Club of America (PCA) recently did a comprehensive virtual tour of a private collection in Arizona. Calling this selection of cars impressive would truly be an understatement. Now I’m someone who’s smitten by almost anything with an RS (Rennsport) badge on it, a badge that represents track-bred performance and cutting-edge engineering, going back five decades. This collection is far from your random assortment of Porsches but represents some of Stuttgart’s finest. We’re talking 33 Porsches across several generations of the 911, with almost all of them bearing that legendary RS moniker.

Porsche unleashed its ultimate 991 at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. The 911 GT2 RS Clubsport was the 991 generation’s swan song, a track-only monster stripped down to its racing essence. The Clubsport was the road-going GT2 RS on steroids, based on the 991.2. It took everything that made the standard car a legend – insane power, razor-sharp handling, and a hunger for speed – and amplified it to eleven. But unlike its road-legal sibling, the Clubsport was stripped of creature comforts and lavished with race-ready components, transforming it into a pure-bred track weapon. This particular 2019 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, chassis number 39 of a limited 200-unit run, now up for sale is about as close to a street-legal Le Mans prototype as you can get without needing a FIA license and a team of mechanics on retainer.

The automotive world is buzzing with anticipation as two titans prepare to clash in the ultimate battle for supercar supremacy. In one corner, we have the all-new, rear mid-engined C8 Corvette ZR1, the most potent ’Vette ever to exist. With its twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 roaring with over 1,000 horsepower, this American-made monster is already causing a stir in Europe, proving that you don’t need a hybrid powertrain to deliver 1,000+ horsepower.

The Porsche 935 is a track-only racecar unveiled to commemorate the brand’s 70th anniversary at the Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018. It is based on the 911 GT2 RS and is finished in matte carbon over black to give it a raw carbon fiber appearance. It is a modern homage to the legendary 935 K endurance race car and is one of only 77 units made. When it came out, Porsche offered its customers a choice of eight exterior wraps with a selection of classic racing liveries. Now the cost of these cars varied depending on the livery and other options chosen, however, they did go upwards of a million dollars if you wanted to own one new. The 935, and the racecar to which it pays homage, has a famed aerodynamic body that earned it the nickname ’Moby Dick’, thanks to its sweeping ’Whale Tail’ rear end.