Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 needs little introduction. It is the car that sits at the very top of the 911 pantheon, the model against which all subsequent RS variants are measured. Created in 1972-73 to homologate the 911 for Group 4 Special GT racing, the RS 2.7 combined weight reduction, increased power, and aerodynamic innovation in a package that was revolutionary for its era.

The flat-six engine was enlarged to 2,687cc through increased bore and stroke. Fitted with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, carefully ported cylinder heads, and a performance exhaust, it produced 210 horsepower at 6,300 rpm. The engine was notably flexible, pulling strongly from 3,000 rpm right through to the 7,300 rpm redline, accompanied by the unmistakable mechanical symphony that only an air-cooled Porsche flat-six can produce.

Porsche's engineers focused relentlessly on weight reduction. In the Sport (Lightweight) version, the recipe included thinner body steel, fiberglass engine lid and front bumper, reduced glass thickness, deletion of sound insulation, lightweight door panels, and thin-shell bucket seats. The result was a curb weight of just 960 kg — approximately 100 kg lighter than the standard 911S. The more civilized Touring version retained some comfort items but was still significantly lighter than a standard car.

The iconic ducktail rear spoiler — officially called the 'Buerzel' (rump) — was not merely decorative. Wind tunnel testing showed it reduced rear-axle lift at high speed by 75%, dramatically improving high-speed stability. Combined with wider 7-inch rear wheels wearing 215-section tires housed under flared fenders, the RS 2.7 had a stance and presence that no standard 911 could match.

In competition, the RS 2.7 and its RSR derivative were extraordinarily successful, winning the European GT Championship, the Targa Florio, and countless national championships. The car proved that Porsche's 'race on Sunday, sell on Monday' philosophy could produce a road car of genuine competition caliber.

Today the RS 2.7 commands the highest prices of any production 911. It is a car that transcends mere collectibility — it is an icon of automotive engineering and design that will never be repeated.