The Porsche 997 GT2 is a twin-turbo, rear-wheel-drive 911 produced from 2007 to 2012. The base GT2 makes 530 hp from a 3.6L flat-six. The GT2 RS, launched in 2010, pushes that to 620 hp and is one of the most extreme road-going 911s ever built. Both come exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
Contents
- 1 Quick Summary
- 2 History
- 3 Engine and Powertrain
- 4 The 997 GT2 RS
- 5 Design and Aero
- 6 997 GT2 vs 996 GT2
- 7 On the Road and Track
- 8 Maintenance and Known Issues
- 9 Market Values
- 10 Renn Driver's Take
- 11 FAQs
- 12 Final Thoughts
The full guide below covers all the details.
Quick Summary
- 997 GT2 production years: 2007-2009
- 997 GT2 RS production year: 2010-2012
- Engine: 3.6L twin-turbo flat-six
- GT2 power: 530 hp (390 kW), 505 lb-ft (680 Nm)
- GT2 RS power: 620 hp (456 kW), 516 lb-ft (700 Nm)
- Transmission: 6-speed manual only
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive
- GT2 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- GT2 RS 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
- GT2 top speed: 204 mph (329 km/h)
- GT2 RS production: 500 units
History
The original Widowmaker proved that a rear-wheel-drive, twin-turbo 911 without electronic aids had an audience. The 997 GT2 took that formula and refined it without softening it.
Porsche launched the 997 GT2 in 2007 with 530 hp, a significant jump from the 996 GT2's 462 hp. It still used a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, but this time Porsche added optional PCCB ceramic brakes and a launch control system. The car was still raw, still demanding, and still earned the GT2 reputation.
Then in 2010, Porsche released the GT2 RS. 620 hp. 500 units. Carbon fiber everywhere. It was the most powerful road-going 911 at the time and set a production car lap record at the Nürburgring.
Engine and Powertrain
The 997 GT2 uses a 3.6L twin-turbo flat-six based on the 997 Turbo engine. Porsche fitted larger turbochargers with variable turbine geometry (VTG), revised the intercoolers, and retuned the engine management for higher boost pressure.
| 997 GT2 | 997 GT2 RS | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 530 hp | 620 hp |
| Torque | 505 lb-ft | 516 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 3.6 s | 3.4 s |
| Top speed | 204 mph | 205 mph |
| Weight | ~3,175 lbs | ~2,998 lbs |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Production | ~1,242 | 500 |
Both the GT2 and GT2 RS are manual only. No PDK was offered. The entire drivetrain sends power to the rear wheels through a mechanical limited-slip differential.
The 997 GT2 RS
The GT2 RS is the extreme version. Porsche added 90 hp over the standard GT2 through larger turbos, higher boost pressure, and revised exhaust. But the real story is weight reduction.
Carbon fiber front fenders, trunk lid, engine cover, and interior trim. Carbon-backed bucket seats. Deleted air conditioning (available as a no-cost option to add back). The result is a car that weighs under 3,000 lbs while producing 620 hp.
Only 500 GT2 RS cars were built. All sold immediately. The car set a Nürburgring lap record of 7:18 when it launched, which was the fastest time for a production car at the time.
Design and Aero
The 997 GT2 wears the 997 Turbo wide body with specific GT2 aero additions. The front bumper has larger air intakes for turbo and brake cooling. The fixed rear wing generates real downforce. NACA ducts on the rear fenders feed cool air to the brakes.
The GT2 RS adds carbon fiber front fenders with air extraction vents, a more aggressive front splitter, and a revised rear diffuser. The RS wing sits higher and at a steeper angle than the standard GT2 wing.
Inside, the GT2 gets Alcantara surfaces, carbon fiber trim, and sport bucket seats. The GT2 RS strips this further with full carbon-shell racing seats, no rear shelf, and exposed carbon throughout.
997 GT2 vs 996 GT2
| 996 GT2 | 997 GT2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 462 hp | 530 hp |
| Traction control | None | Optional (can be fully disabled) |
| PCCB brakes | Not available | Optional |
| Launch control | No | Yes |
| RS version | Clubsport only | GT2 RS (620 hp) |
The 997 GT2 is the more capable car by every objective measure. The 996 GT2 is the more raw, unfiltered experience. Both are rear-wheel-drive, manual-only, twin-turbo 911s with a dangerous reputation.
On the Road and Track
The 997 GT2 is fast in a way that feels relentless. The twin turbos build boost smoothly compared to the 996 GT2's more abrupt power delivery, but the output is so much higher that the car still demands complete attention.
On track, the combination of rear-wheel drive, 530 hp, and a relatively short wheelbase means the car rotates quickly under power. Corner exit requires progressive throttle application. The optional PCCB brakes handle repeated hard stops without fade, which is a genuine improvement over the 996 GT2's standard iron brakes.
The GT2 RS amplifies everything. The extra 90 hp and reduced weight make it noticeably more violent on corner exit. The stiffer suspension and revised aero keep the car more planted at high speeds, but the rear end is even more willing to rotate under power.
Maintenance and Known Issues
Like the 996 GT2, the 997 GT2 uses the Mezger engine. No IMS bearing concerns. The engine is durable and can handle high mileage with proper maintenance.
Common items to watch:
- Turbo wastegate actuators: Can develop play over time, affecting boost control
- Coolant pipes: Replace plastic pipes with aluminum at first opportunity
- Clutch: Heavy track use accelerates clutch wear. Budget for replacement around 30,000 to 50,000 miles depending on use
- PCCB rotors: If equipped, ceramic rotors are expensive to replace ($8,000+ per axle) but last a long time with proper pad selection
- Rear main seal: Some cars develop minor oil seepage at the rear main seal
Annual maintenance runs $3,000 to $6,000 depending on use and whether the car has ceramic brakes.
Market Values
The 997 GT2 has appreciated strongly. Standard GT2 cars trade between $300,000 and $450,000 for clean, well-documented examples. The GT2 RS commands $600,000 to $900,000 depending on mileage and spec. Low-mileage, one-owner GT2 RS cars have crossed $1 million at auction.
Values are driven by the same factors as the 996 GT2: Mezger engine, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, limited production. The GT2 RS adds the 500-unit production limit and its status as one of the most extreme road-legal 911s ever built.
Renn Driver's Take
I have not driven this car yet, but I will update this section once I do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does the 997 GT2 have?
The Porsche 997 GT2 produces 530 hp from its 3.6L twin-turbo flat-six. The GT2 RS version produces 620 hp.
How many 997 GT2 RS were made?
Porsche built exactly 500 units of the 997 GT2 RS.
Does the 997 GT2 have the IMS bearing issue?
No, the 997 GT2 does not have the IMS bearing issue. It uses the Mezger engine, which does not suffer from that problem.
Is the 997 GT2 rear-wheel drive?
Yes, the 997 GT2 is rear-wheel drive only. It does not have the all-wheel-drive system found in the 997 Turbo.
How much is a 997 GT2 worth?
A clean Porsche 997 GT2 sells for $300,000 to $450,000. The 997 GT2 RS sells for $600,000 to $900,000, with low-mileage examples exceeding $1 million.
Can you get a 997 GT2 with PDK?
No, the 997 GT2 only comes with a six-speed manual transmission. There is no PDK or automatic option.
What is the top speed of the 997 GT2?
The top speed of the 997 GT2 is 204 mph (329 km/h). The GT2 RS reaches 205 mph.
Final Thoughts
The 997 GT2 sits in the middle of the GT2 lineage. It is more refined than the previous generation but still analog enough to feel dangerous. The optional traction control and PCCB brakes give it a safety margin that the 996 GT2 never had, but you can switch everything off and get the same raw experience.
The GT2 RS is another level entirely. 620 hp, under 3,000 lbs, manual only, rear-wheel drive. It is one of those cars that makes you question whether Porsche's engineers were being brave or reckless. The answer is both.
As an investment, both the GT2 and GT2 RS are solidly into blue-chip territory. The combination of Mezger engine, manual gearbox, and limited production means values are unlikely to decline. The next-generation GT2 RS is faster, but the 997 GT2 RS is rarer and more raw.
Images by: Alexandre Prévot, Artaxerxes, and others, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 and CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
