In Porsche’s 911 hierarchy, the GT2 nomenclature is reserved for its most ferocious models. Sports car racing once known as GT2 has changed considerably since the automaker first homologated its 993-generation 911 in the early 1990s. The revived 997 GT2 looked the part once again with its oval headlamps and benefitted from a big upgrade in its engine compartment.

Porsche had more on its mind than just the GT2, however. The Nissan GT-R bested the GT2 at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe, which might as well have been Porsche’s home turf. Porsche responded with the GT2 RS, which weighed about 150 lbs. less than the standard model and had 612 hp, to boot. The 991 GT2 RS made its debut virtually at the Microsoft Xbox E3 briefing in 2017 before showing up in the flesh at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that summer ready for a blistering sprint up Lord March’s famous driveway.

For the first time, the GT2 RS did not come with a manual transmission. A human driver’s shifting abilities pale in comparison to the rapid, split-second shifts fired off by the advanced Porsche Doppelkupplung seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It is that transmission that makes the GT2 RS capable of sprinting to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, going on to 124 mph in a mere 8.3 seconds before hitting an otherworldly 210-mph top speed.

Porsche encouraged buyers eager for more performance to select the optional $31,000 Weissach Package. Cribbing its name from a package with a similar light-weighting philosophy that was offered on the 918 Spyder hypercar, the 991 GT2 RS package shed more than 65 lbs. while adding track-ready features. The Weissach Package included the first carbon fiber stabilizer bars ever fitted to a production automobile. Carbon weave was used for its front hood and for its roof, too. Magnesium wheels shed around 6 lbs. per corner. Porsche even made use of titanium for the GT2 RS Weissach’s integrated roll cage on European models, which weighs about 25 lbs. less than the steel unit fitted to models with the Club Sport Package. The roll cage was omitted from American-market models due to compliance issues. In the U.S., the GT2 RS also included an infotainment screen and backup camera as well as air conditioning.

The 911 GT2 RS offered here – driven less than 200 miles – features the much wanted and expensive Weissach Package. Completed on 7 March 2018, this example was finished in Porsche’s distinctive, race-inspired GT Silver Metallic over a Black/Red leather and Alcantara interior. Additional optional equipment includes the front axle lift system, light design package, Bose surround sound system, chrono package with lap trigger, and a 23.8-gallon extended range fuel tank. The 911 GT2 Weissach Package balances luxury and performance. Its sports seats are covered in leather and Alcantara, with ‘Weissach RS’ stitched into the fixed headrests. Carbon fiber trim dominates the Porsche’s dashboard. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires wrap its 20- and 21-in. Satin Black magnesium center-lock wheels. Carbon fiber ducts on its front fenders both give the 911 GT2 RS its unique look and help to cool the brakes during serious driving. Like other Weissach Package 911 GT2 RSes, the carbon fiber hood and roof panel are partially unpainted. The rear spoiler displays the distinctive “PORSCHE” script.

As the ultimate 991-generation Porsche 911, the GT2 RS with the Weissach Package follows in the tire marks of the automaker’s other showcase cars such as the 959, 996 GT1, and the 918. The lightweight 911 GT2 RS Weissach raised the bar for Porsche’s definitive sports car and is bound to remain a sound investment.