Photo credit: Elferspot.com
Have a spare $211,000 lying around? This might tickle your fancy.
The 996 GT2 took all those horrible critiques of the 996 and replaced them with a new set of critiques more aimed at its murderous tendencies than its unreliability. The 996 GT2 had been designed with more understeer than any rear-engined, twin-turbocharged car ought to have—mainly to keep the overly ambitious from putting their new purchase in the ditch. Unfortunately, a car that’s understeering often snaps into irrecoverable oversteer when the boost arrives, and that helped make the 996 GT2 more than a handful for most.
Fortunately, so much of these GT-series cars is adjustable, and the 996 GT2 can be made into a remarkably quick and predictable track car with some suspension tuning. This Clubsport, delivered with all the necessary racing accessories, is the variant best suited to hard lapping. Plus, even when it’s suspension is sorted out, it still retains some of that old-school charm. That’s what a rear-wheel drive 911 with 462 horsepower and no traction control has, right?
WIth fixed-back Recaros and 3/4 of a complete racing cage, this focused CS variant best embodies the raw character of the 996 GT2.
The mild track-oriented modifications help fulfill the potential of this 996 GT2; it’s far from an everyday car in even its plushest configuration. A carbon-wrapped cage without door bars, fixed Recaro seats wrapped in Nomex, harnesses, a battery cut-off switch, a side-airbag delete, and a fire extinguisher complete this Clubsport package. Who needs the additional weight and complexity when the car is at its best when chasing lap times? Safety, security, and a greater sense of purpose is what this one offers.
The gills and tall rear wing leave nobody questioning this car’s purpose.
The reliability of the Mezger motor, the twin-turbo surge, the relatively low weight (~3,150 pounds), and the obvious intent of this cage-equipped circuit toy should make any track rat salivate. The well-heeled rodent with an extra $200K could make a decent investment (these GT2s do keep their value) with take a closer look at this 6,337-mile example. Whether they used it on the street or the circuit, it would undoubtedly spice up their weekends.
Those who criticize the 996’s shape have to make an exception with this bewinged beauty.