There is a lot to say about the Porsche 911, but without a doubt, one of the most iconic generations is the 993. The last air-cooled 911 is praised by many Porsche enthusiasts as the last true 911. While the 992 generation is shaping up to be the last non-hybrid 911, there are companies like Gunterwerks that have decided to keep things old-school. Their latest creation pays tribute to one of the most extreme, air-cooled Porsches ever made, the 993 GT2 RS, with a reimagined, 700-horsepower version of it.
Gunterwerks are one of the most renowned names that dabble in custom-built Porsches. Unlike Singer, not all Gunterwerks-built cars are air-cooled. This one, however, is as it pays tribute to the original Porsche 993 GT2 RS. The original car was a homologation special, which allowed Porsche to enter the 911 in the GT2 race class.
The original 993 GT2 had widened plastic fenders, a big rear wing with integrated air intakes, and a 3.6-liter, twin-turbo, flat-six generating up to 444 horsepower (331 kilowatts) at 6,000 RPM and 432 pound-feet (586 Nm) at 3,500 RPM. This allows for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 3.9 seconds on to a top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h). Only 57 examples of the 993 GT2 were ever built, 13 of which were right-hand drive. Porsche, itself, has twice reinvented the 911 GT2, first with the 997 GT2 and later with the 991 GT2 RS, but you’ll probably agree that Gunterwerks has outdone Porsche’s attempts.
Gunterwerks’ modern interpretation of the 993 GT2 RS features a custom body, built almost entirely out of carbon fiber (except the doors). Gunterwerks CEO, Peter Nam, says they were able to get the weight down to “roughly 2,700 pounds” (1,225 kg), in the first-ever GT2 RS walkaround with Mr JWW. The bespoke body panels have been designed with function as the main priority, but they have also been designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Every design element has its function, which is to optimize engine and brake cooling as well as to improve downforce and aid mechanical grip as much as possible.
The basis for the Gunterwerks GT2 RS is the Gunterwerks 993 Coupe, which also served as the basis for the bonkers Guntererks 993 Speedster. While the latter is an epic collection of all classic, 911 design cues, it also managed a 1:30.99 lap time around Laguna Seca. To put things in perspective, a McLaren P1 managed 1:30.71 while a Porsche 918 Spyder took 1:29.89. More importantly, the Gunterwerks Coupe managed to keep up with those high-power exotics with “just” 430 horsepower (316 kilowatts) and 330 pound-feet (447 Nm) from its naturally-aspirated, 4.0-liter flat-six, mated to a six-speed, Getrag manual.
The key to this achievement is mechanical grip, which is something the GT2 RS shares with its naturally-aspirated counterpart. The Rothsport Racing-built, 4.0-liter, flat-six is not exactly the same, though. It features twin turbochargers and in normal mode, packs 600 horsepower (441 kilowatts). In race mode, output jumps to 700 horsepower (515 kilowatts) and 560 pound-feet (759 Nm). The 4.0-liter, flat-six is also capable of revving up to 7,500 RPM. Mind you, this is still an air-cooled car. Just like the original GT2, power goes to the rear wheels only, through a six-speed manual. If Gunterwerks’ naturally-aspirated model can give hypercars a run for their money on a racetrack, imagine what this one could do with the same levels of mechanical grip.
The Gunterwerks GT2 RS pays homage not just to the original 993 GT2, but also to other iconic Porsche models. The whale tail incorporates air ducts that channel air straight to the engine bay, where you find a flat-mounted cooling fan, just like in the iconic Porsche 917 LeMans car. Gunterwerks technical director, Amjad Ali, explains that this is not just for aesthetics, but it actually allows all cylinders to be equally cooled, as opposed to a vertical fan, where the inner-most pistons are always running slightly hotter. A flat fan is also capable of moving more than twice the amount of air compared to a vertically-mounted one.
Another cool feature of the GT2 RS is the 18-inch wheels, which are the lightest wheels in the industry. The wheel design looks like a modern interpretation of the Fuchs wheels and features a two-piece design, consisting of a carbon-fiber rim and a magnesium centerpiece. Behind them reside Brembo CCMR, carbon brake discs (not carbon-ceramic), which according to Gutnerwerks CEO, were put through prolonged, rigorous testing and never showed signs of fade.
The interior is a carbon-fiber masterpiece with carefully-integrated amenities like wireless charging and all modern connectivity. High-quality leather has been limited to the contact points and the hollow, carbon, bucket seats are a Gunterwerks-exclusive design and feature Alcantara inserts. Other nostalgic design traits feature the neo-retro LED lights and the diffuser along with the exhaust tips are heavily reminiscent of those on the Porsche Carrera GT – Porsche’s last analog supercar. At this point in time, Gunterwerks hasn’t posted any details about their latest and most epic creation, but you can bet it’s going to be highly limited and not up to everyone’s pocket.