In most countries, it is illegal to enjoy the true potential of a sports car on public roads.

Of course, there is some common sense behind this, which makes it all the more unique that Porsche‘s latest addition to the 2018 911 lineup – the GT2 RS – is not only the most powerful 911 of all time, but it’s also street legal!

When you think about it, it is actually quite impressive how many different types of cars Porsche has been able to integrate into a single 911 model line. There is a 911 to fit every mood, whether you want a sporty commuter, an extroverted boulevard cruiser, a track-day king, or a supercar dominator.

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in silver

The 911 GT2 RS is the latter car: it packs 700 horsepower and a rubber-incinerating 553 lb-ft of torque. Its engine is based on the 911 Turbo S, which is already one of the world’s most powerful production car engines. To make it even more diabolical, the 3.8-liter flat six was fitted with a larger turbo, a lightweight titanium exhaust system, and a water injection system providing additional charge cooling.

While the engine produces more power than the Turbo S, the 911 GT2 RS is lighter than the Turbo S, weighing only 1,470 kilograms with a full tank of gas. No wonder that 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.8 seconds and the top speed is 340 km/h, making it much faster than its 2011 predecessor.

View from the back of the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

In fact, these stats put it squarely into supercar territory.

With this car, Porsche emphasizes not only pure power but also high cornering speeds by equipping the 911 GT2 RS with rear-axle steering and ultra-high-performance tires. The Stuttgart-based company also fitted the PSM (Porsche Stability Management) with a special sports mode, which makes the most of the car’s driving dynamics. As well as the aggressive looking and very functional wings, vents, and air intakes, the GT2 RS is also equipped with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes for ample stopping power.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS: a high performer

When you are behind the wheel of the 911 GT2 RS there is plenty to remind you that you are driving a high performer: naked carbon fiber, red Alcantara, and black leather enveloping you while full bucket seats keep you firmly in place, no matter how fast you are going. The Porsche Track Precision app is also standard on this 911, allowing you to record, display, and analyze a wide variety of driving data on your smartphone.

Striking bright red highlights and trim in the interior of the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

For extra bragging rights, you can also opt to have your 911 GT2 RS fitted with the so-called Weissach package (also available on the 918 Spyder), which saves weight and improves looks, both marginally. Lighter magnesium wheels reduce the weight of the car and improve the handling; the overall weight savings of 30 kilograms is great.

However, as this package will set you back $31,000, to save roughly 2 percent on the overall weight of the car, you have to add 10 percent to its price. But of course, at this level of performance being able to go even marginally faster requires an exponentially larger investment.

Porsche knows this as well. With another record-breaking year in the making, this brand knows like no other sports car manufacturer how to entice its clients.

Imagine pulling up next to a Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Weissach logos embroidered in bright red on the headrests and yours doesn’t

What is the sense in buying the most powerful street-legal 911 ever made without the Weissach package? That would just entice the risk of an encounter with a 911 GT2 RS with Weissach package, making it faster, more expensive, and rarer, with the badges and embroidered headrests to prove it.

The same probably goes for another Porsche-designed product: the 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph that Porsche Motorsport developed together with Porsche Design, which is powered by the watch brand’s chronometer-certified Caliber 01.200.

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS with a Porsche Flyback Chronograph exclusively for owners of the car

Just like the 911 GT2 RS car, the watch is lightweight as it is crafted in titanium, while the overall design, dial materials, and strap are matched to its automotive counterpart.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Flyback Chronograph

This will probably also be an extremely rare watch as you can only purchase one if you own a 911 GT2 RS car.

While Porsche normally limits ultra-high-performance cars like the 911 GT2 RS, it hasn’t done so with this one, a sign of how well the brand is in touch with its customer base. Because why would you limit sales to only 500 when it could be 750 or maybe even 1,000? This car’s price will automatically contain its exclusivity.

A 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which most people will never even see

For more information, please visit www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-gt2-rs and/or www.presskit.porsche.de/motorshows/en/goodwood-2017/topic/pd-chronograph-911-gt2.

Quick Facts Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Engine: 3.8-liter twin turbo flat six
Power: 700 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 7-speed automatic double-clutch transmission (PDK)
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds
Top speed: 340 km/h
Base price: $294,250 (Weissach package: add $31,000)

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