When Porsche Giants Go Head to Head: GT2 RS Versus 959
Twin-turbocharged flat-sixes have come along way in 30 years. However, the thing that hasn’t changed are those crazy prices.
When we talk about the top of the proverbial automotive food chain, there are only a few cars that come to mind. Back in the 1980s, Porsche was determined to show the world that they could make the fastest road legal car ever. And when Porsche says they are going to do something, they do it. The result of this was the Porsche 959, a race car for the road. This car would be known as the definitive 911. It was produced solely for the sake of racing homologation in the infamous Group B rally class. Less than 200 of these cars exist in the world today, and to see one is truly a sight to behold.
Porsche innovated their twin-turbo system and AWD with the 959, and it served as a basis for their performance products for decades to come. The 444 horsepower produced by a tiny 2.8L flat-six in a widebody chassis meant incredible performance for its time.
But, that was the the 1980s. Today, we have the modern equivalent of this race car for the road in the 991 GT2 RS. It is the fastest and most powerful 911 ever built; boasting 700 hp and a record-setting Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time. At a $300,000 price point, it is also among the most expensive Porsches ever made.
How do these two giants fair in a battle going head to head? What can be understood from 30+ years of Porsche development? Thanks to Everyday Driver, we get to find out. The video takes both cars out on the road to compares how each performs.
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- 959
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- GT2 RS
Other than their jaw-dropping price tags, there is very little these two Porsches share from a performance perspective. Both cars have a very different philosophy and usage from a functional standpoint, irrespective of the fact they both shine on a race track.
There is no lack of details about both Porsches in the video. And the hosts do an outstanding job of comparing and contrasting the two. Each of the two hosts get behind the wheel of the 959 and the GT2 RS, and the footage of the cars is very well done. It is a fascinating look at how ahead of its time Porsche has been.
We recommend watching the whole clip, if for no other reason, it is a thrill to see these cars really open up and show off their exceptional features. It also is a truly interesting look at the development of both Porsches, and their changes over decades of time.
