12 Porsche 911s That Pushed Speed To The Limit
One night at a backroad diner, an old racer told me he once hit 170 in a ‘90s 911 Turbo with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cheeseburger.
He said the burger didn’t survive the corner, but the car sure did.
That’s the thing about the 911 – every generation finds a new way to flirt with insanity while staying just grounded enough to keep the tail from snapping.
Some call it madness. Porsche calls it tradition.
1. Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
Born in 1973, the legendary “Ducktail” changed everything. Porsche created this homologation special to dominate racing, but accidentally birthed the blueprint for every hardcore 911 that followed.
Weighing just 2,150 pounds thanks to thin steel, lightweight glass, and minimal sound deadening, the RS 2.7 was essentially a race car with license plates.
The 210-horsepower output might seem modest today, but the power-to-weight ratio was revolutionary.
2. Porsche 911 Turbo (930)
Nicknamed “The Widowmaker” for good reason, the 930 Turbo wasn’t just fast—it was downright dangerous in inexperienced hands.
Debuting in 1975, this turbocharged monster introduced many unsuspecting drivers to the concept of turbo lag.
Floor the accelerator, count to three while nothing happens, then WHAM! Suddenly you’re managing 260 wild horses through the rear wheels as the boost kicks in.
Combined with a tail-happy chassis and short wheelbase, it demanded absolute respect from its pilot.
3. Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion
Barely street-legal and rarely seen, the GT1 Straßenversion (Street Version) is the unicorn of Porsche’s stable.
When racing regulations required 25 road cars to be built, Porsche essentially slapped headlights and a license plate on their Le Mans racer.
Only the front section resembled a normal 911—behind the doors lurked a carbon fiber monocoque and mid-mounted 544-horsepower twin-turbo engine.
Zero to 60 mph took 3.9 seconds on the way to a 191 mph top speed, ridiculous numbers for 1997.
4. Porsche 911 GT2 (993)
Madness on wheels! The 993 GT2 emerged when Porsche engineers asked themselves, “What if we take our already insane Turbo, add more power, remove the safety net of all-wheel drive, and sell it to the public?”
Limited to just 57 examples, this rear-drive monster packed 430 horsepower and wore those unmistakable riveted fender flares.
The bolted-on appearance wasn’t just for show—it allowed racing teams to quickly replace damaged panels during endurance races.
5. Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997.2)
Screaming is the only appropriate word for the 997.2 GT3 RS’s naturally-aspirated flat-six.
While other manufacturers embraced turbocharging, Porsche created a 450-horsepower masterpiece that revved to a motorcycle-like 8,500 rpm.
Wrapped in that unmistakable lime green paint with contrasting black graphics, it announced its intentions from a mile away.
The center-lock wheels weren’t just for show either—they reduced unsprung weight and allowed for lightning-quick tire changes during pit stops.
6. Porsche 911 Turbo S (991.2)
Weaponized luxury defines the 991.2 Turbo S. Unlike its track-focused siblings, this monster delivered its 580 horsepower with almost clinical precision thanks to all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission.
The stopwatch doesn’t lie—0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds made it quicker than most supercars costing twice as much.
Yet you could drive it daily in perfect comfort with the shopping in the front trunk. Perhaps most impressively, it delivered supercar acceleration while maintaining the fuel efficiency of a family sedan.
7. Porsche 911 GT2 RS (997)
Nicknamed “The Widow Maker 2.0,” the 997 GT2 RS picked up where its infamous ancestors left off.
Porsche took their Turbo, cranked power to 620 horses, removed the front-drive shafts, and created a rear-wheel-drive monster that demanded respect.
Carbon fiber body panels, titanium exhaust, and stripped interior helped shed 154 pounds compared to the regular GT2.
A mere 500 examples were built, making it one of the rarest modern 911s. Its Nürburgring lap time of 7:18 was simply unheard of for a production car in 2010.
8. Porsche 911 R
Purists rejoiced when the 911 R arrived in 2016. While other manufacturers chased lap times with paddle shifters and electronic aids, Porsche built a love letter to driving enthusiasts.
Taking the 500-horsepower engine from the GT3 RS but pairing it with a six-speed manual transmission, the R prioritized driver engagement over outright speed.
No massive wing, no flashy graphics—just subtle retro stripes and lightweight construction. All 991 examples sold out instantly, creating a secondary market where prices tripled almost overnight.
9. Porsche 911 GT3 (992)
Evolution, not revolution, perfectly describes the latest GT3. In an era of downsized turbocharged engines, the 992 GT3 proudly carries the naturally-aspirated torch with its 4.0-liter flat-six screaming to 9,000 rpm.
The double-wishbone front suspension—a first for a production 911—comes straight from Porsche’s race cars.
Swan-neck rear wing mounts might look odd but they actually improve downforce by allowing cleaner airflow underneath.
Manual transmission lovers can still row their own gears, a rarity in today’s supercar market.
10. Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991.2)
Absolute lunacy best describes the 991.2 GT2 RS. When Porsche decided to build the fastest production 911 ever, they didn’t hold back—700 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and enough downforce to drive upside down (theoretically).
The optional Weissach package added carbon fiber anti-roll bars and magnesium wheels, shaving 40 pounds from an already lightweight car.
Porsche’s engineers became obsessed with the Nürburgring lap record, eventually claiming the production car crown with a mind-bending 6:47.3 lap time.
11. Porsche 911 Turbo S (992)
Effortless speed defines the current 992 Turbo S. While track-focused 911s get all the glory, this all-weather missile might be the most impressive of all—0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds, consistently, in virtually any condition.
Its 640-horsepower twin-turbo flat-six delivers power so smoothly you barely realize you’re outrunning supercars.
Active aerodynamics, rear-wheel steering, and torque vectoring create a driving experience that’s both accessible and mind-bendingly fast. The closest thing to a perfect everyday supercar, if such a thing exists.
12. Porsche 911 Sport Classic (997)
Nostalgia done right, the 997 Sport Classic blended vintage style with modern performance.
Limited to just 250 examples, this rare beauty featured a “ducktail” rear spoiler inspired by the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, Fuchs-style wheels, and a unique double-bubble roof.
Under that retro skin lurked the heart of a 911 GTS with 408 horsepower flowing through a proper six-speed manual gearbox.
The Sport Classic Grey paint became so desirable that Porsche later offered it as a special order option on other models for those who couldn’t get their hands on the real thing.