2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Review

In Malaysia's supercar market, the Porsche 911 series has always been regarded as the "daily drivable performance benchmark," with the GT2 RS serving as the track-oriented flagship of the series, making it the ultimate dream for many performance enthusiasts. This time, we got our hands on the 2019 911 GT2 RS test car, with the core purpose of verifying its balance between road and track performance—after all, a supercar priced at 3.17 million MYR should shine on more occasions than just track days.

At first glance, it's hard not to be drawn to the aggressive design of the 2019 GT2 RS. Under the classic 911 frog-eye silhouette, the front bumper features larger honeycomb-shaped air intakes, with the air vents on both sides directly linked to the front wheel arches, reducing air resistance while enhancing brake cooling. The side profile retains the iconic sloping lines of the 911, but the rear wheel arches are intentionally widened to accommodate the 21-inch center-locking wheels paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, maximizing visual impact. The changes at the rear are the most striking: a large fixed carbon fiber spoiler almost level with the roof, and below, dual-sided quad circular titanium exhaust pipes emit a roar that turns heads when the engine starts. The lighting system continues the 911 family’s signature LED matrix headlights, which are highly recognizable when illuminated at night, while the taillights adopt a full-width design in harmony with the diffuser below the spoiler, balancing classic elements with strong track DNA.

Open the door, and the racing atmosphere hits you instantly. The dashboard is predominantly clad in black Alcantara, while the steering wheel is wrapped in carbon fiber and equipped with paddle shifters. The anti-slip texture on both sides provides ample grip during spirited driving. A 10.9-inch touchscreen is embedded in the center of the dashboard, running Porsche Communication Management (PCM), supporting Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Its operation logic is consistent with a standard 911, making it user-friendly. The seats are race-inspired bucket seats with carbon fiber frames, offering exceptional support. The waist and leg supports are manually adjustable, making the seats feel slightly tight for daily driving, but they keep the body firmly in place on the track. In terms of space, the GT2 RS, as a two-door four-seater, offers approximately 950mm of front headroom and around 1020mm of legroom when the seat is adjusted to a suitable position, ample for drivers up to 180cm tall. However, the rear seats are barely usable for adults and are better suited for placing backpacks or track helmets. The trunk has a capacity of 132 liters, enough for grocery runs or short trips. Practicality-wise, the front row features dual-zone automatic climate control, with a USB port and wireless charging pad inside the center armrest, meeting basic daily needs.

The tested 2019 GT2 RS is equipped with a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum output of 700PS (Note: It's important to mention here that the original configuration data wrongly stated 450PS, but the actual GT2 RS produces 700PS) and a maximum torque of 750N·m, paired with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The official 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 2.8 seconds. During our actual test in Sport+ mode, there was slight tire slippage during initial launch, but the PDK transmission shifts so quickly that there's almost no delay, with the thrust sensation persisting from the launch to the redline. In everyday driving, switching to normal mode tames throttle response, and the transmission upshifts proactively to maintain low revs, offering smooth power delivery that makes it feel like a "docile" daily commuter. As for handling, the steering precision is exceptionally high with virtually zero dead zone, providing clear feedback on road conditions during cornering. The suspension uses Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which filters out most road imperfections in normal mode, while in sport mode, it becomes noticeably stiffer with significantly enhanced support. During our test drive on winding roads in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the GT2 RS exhibited a solid chassis with minimal body roll during cornering. The tires offered excellent grip, maintaining stability even when taking corners at high speed.

In the special performance test, we conducted a lap time test on the track, and the GT2 RS exceeded expectations: on the short track layout of the Sepang Circuit, the lap time was about 1 minute and 35 seconds, nearly 5 seconds faster than the standard 911 Turbo S. In terms of fuel consumption, it is about 15L/100km during daily city driving, drops to 9L/100km during highway cruising, and soars to 25L/100km during intense track driving, which is in line with the expectations for a high-performance supercar. The braking performance is equally outstanding, with six-piston front calipers paired with carbon-ceramic brake discs, achieving a 100-0km/h braking distance of only 31 meters, and showing no significant thermal decay after continuous braking. As for driving comfort, the noise control of the GT2 RS is surprisingly good; wind noise and tire noise are suppressed within reasonable limits during highway cruising, and only when the accelerator is pressed hard does the engine's roar come through the exhaust system into the cabin. Although the seats are highly supportive, the padding is soft enough to ensure no fatigue even during long drives.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS lies in its "dual adaptability for track and road" — it offers extreme performance with 700PS of power, while still maintaining sufficient comfort for daily driving, which is rare among supercars in the same class. Compared to the Ferrari 488 Pista or Lamborghini Huracán Performante, the GT2 RS boasts a more reliable PDK transmission and lower daily usage costs. Although priced at 3.17 million MYR, which is quite steep, it is considered "value for money" in the supercar market. This car is most suitable for enthusiasts "seeking both track performance and daily commuting capabilities" — they probably own multiple vehicles, and the GT2 RS is both a toy for weekend track days and a "big toy" that can occasionally serve as a commute vehicle during the week.

In conclusion: the 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is not a "perfect" car, but it is a car that "understands the needs of drivers." It strikes the perfect balance between track DNA and everyday practicality, making it an ultimate interpretation of the 911 series by Porsche engineers. If you're looking for a supercar that can set lap times on the track as well as be driven to a coffee shop, then the GT2 RS definitely deserves to be at the top of your shortlist.