Roadtest review: 997 GT3 RS pips GT2 and Carrera GT

Newswheel staff :: 09 April 2008 :: Filed under Mid / rear engine sportscar, Porsche, Porsche 911

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Less is more

There’s always been a whiff of chest-wig chariot about turbo-charged Porsche 911s. After all, the venerable Porker is defined by its tactility and driving involvement and that doesn’t really jive with the binary power delivery of a blown flat six. But that’s been less true than ever in recent years as Porsche has dialled out the lag and made the turbo models more progressive than ever. So, can the latest 997-vintage GT2 compete with the magisterial 997 GT3 RS for pure driving thrills? Nope. Or at least not according to our chums on Evo magazine…

Granted the overall outcome isn’t a huge surprise. Natural aspiration is still the way to go if its total driver control is top of your list. But the contest is closer than ever, with Evo reckoning the latest GT2 is more usable than ever. But don’t go thinking that means the most batshit Porsche of them all has lost its edge. Evo’s Bovingdon, no stranger to hypercar pace, says the GT2 is shockingly quick, “as outrageous a car as he has ever driven.”

Just make sure, Evo had the original twin-turbo widowmaker on hand, the bewinged and bespoilered 993 GT3. We also note that Evo came down in favour of the GT3 RS vs the often overlooked Carrera GT. Despite the GT’s fabulous carbon fibre engineering, inboard suspension and offensively good V10 lump, the GT3 RS is just too sharp a tool. At just £95k, it also looks like something of a bargain.

Linkage:
Evo