The Porsche 911 GT2 RS has been called the Widowmaker since the original GT2 earned that nickname in the 1990s – a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive car with enormous power and no safety net for the unwary. The 991.2-generation GT2 RS, produced from 2017 to 2019, is the most extreme expression of this idea in modern Porsche history: 515 kW, rear-wheel drive, and no room for error.
The Widowmaker Reputation
The nickname is not entirely fair to modern GT2 RSs – Porsche’s electronics are sophisticated enough to catch most mistakes that the 1990s version would not have forgiven. The car has stability control, traction control, and Porsche’s advanced rear-axle steering. Driven respectfully, the GT2 RS is less likely to kill you than its reputation suggests.
What the name does capture accurately is this: the GT2 RS is the most demanding Porsche you can drive on public roads. The power is available very quickly from the turbocharged flat-six, the rear tyres are large and wide but still have limits, and the rear-engine weight distribution means that once the rear lets go, recovery requires both skill and quick hands.
Engine and Performance
The 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six produces 515 kW (700 hp) and 750 Nm of torque. Rear-wheel drive only. The 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox is the only transmission option. The 0-100 km/h time is 2.8 seconds. Top speed is 340 km/h.
The GT2 RS broke the production car Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record in 2017, setting a time of 6:47.3 – a record it held briefly before the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ took it the following year.
The engine’s output is achieved through titanium connecting rods, improved turbocharger specifications, and a modified intake and exhaust system. The car also has a water injection system for the intercoolers – a motorsport-derived technology that cools intake charge under sustained hard use.
The Weissach Package
The Weissach Package is an option that saved 30 kg from the GT2 RS’s already focused specification through the addition of magnesium wheels, carbon fibre roof, and additional carbon components. The package also adds a carbon anti-roll bar, titanium exhaust, and a decorative carbon fibre front strut brace. It is the choice for track-focused owners.
Australian Conditions
The GT2 RS was tested extensively in European conditions, and its suspension calibration reflects a preference for smooth, grippy asphalt. On rough Australian surfaces, the car requires more attention – the stiff suspension transmits surface imperfections directly, and the power delivery demands careful throttle application on anything other than clean, dry tarmac.
On smooth sections of Australian roads and at track days, the GT2 RS is extraordinary. The precision of the steering, the ferocity of the power, and the communication between the car and driver at high speeds produce an experience that few other road cars can match.
Australian Pricing
The GT2 RS was priced at approximately $480,000 to $540,000 new in Australia before options. LCT added approximately $130,000 to the base price. With Weissach Package and other options, delivered costs could reach $650,000.
On the used market in 2026, GT2 RS examples with low kilometres are trading at or above original retail prices. The 991.2 GT2 RS has significant collector appeal as the most powerful analogue 911 of the modern era – the 992 GT2 RS, when it arrives, will likely be more electronically sophisticated.
What to Know Before Buying
The GT2 RS requires a driver who understands rear-engine dynamics and has genuine experience with high-power cars. It is not a suitable choice for someone moving up from a Carrera or Turbo without track experience. The consequences of driver error at the limits of the GT2 RS’s performance envelope are significant.
Annual servicing runs approximately $4,000 to $7,000 at an authorised Porsche dealer. PCCB (carbon ceramic) brakes are standard and will eventually need replacement at $20,000 to $35,000.
Verdict
The 911 GT2 RS is the Widowmaker reimagined with modern safety nets that make it survivable for skilled drivers while retaining every element of its fearsome reputation for those who push too far, too fast. In Australian conditions, it is at its best on smooth, dry roads or a racing circuit. For buyers who want the most extreme rear-wheel-drive 911 ever made, there is only one answer.