In mid 2008, Porsche unveiled the 2008 911 GT2, which, at 530 horsepower, is the most powerful 911 ever homologated for the road. It uses an uprated version of the 911 Turbo's twin-turbo flat-six engine and deletes the models all-wheel drive system for a decrease in mass and an increase in drama (AKA driving enjoyment).

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The new GT2, based on the current rear-wheel-drive 997-series 911, will hit 62 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds, and motor on up to a top speed speed of 204mph.

It uses Porsche's familiar 3.6-liter, six-cylinder boxer motor with twin variable-nozzle turbochargers. Maximum horsepower is 530, while torque is rated at 680 Nm (a little over 500 lb-ft). This trumps the standard Turbo by 50 horsepower, but the GT2 weighs considerably less since it's rear-wheel drive only, rather than all-wheel-drive. The GT2 weighs in at 3,175 lbs, versus the Turbo's 3,494lbs.

The only transmission offered in the GT2 is an honest-to-goodness six-speed manual, complete with a clutch pedal, and none of the flappy paddle gearboxes currently in vogue.

In addition, the GT2 features Porsche's ceramic brakes as standard, along with Porsche Active Suspension Management and 19-inch light alloy wheels. Interestingly, this most powerful of Porsches still manages 22.6 imperial miles per gallon in the New European Driving Cycle tests, a very high number for a performance car.

Buyers only get two seats in the GT2, though what perches they are. The shell has a fiberglass-reinforced plastic core and a carbon fiber surface with visible weave pattern, keeping weight to a minimum. Both seats are compatible with six-point racing harnesses.

As the ultimate 911, buyers get the PCM entertainment and communications system with an LCD navigation screen, which can be bolstered with an optional Bose surround sound system with MP3 capability. Rated at 325W, the seven-channel, 13-speaker setup uses a fibre-optic bus network to deliver signals between all of its components.