Monday 12th June 2017

Porsche 911 GT2 RS 'revealed'

Virtual debut for new uber-911 in Forza 7

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Still raging you didn't get a 911 R or GT3? Here's another rare-groove Porsche you've probably also missed out on before it's even been officially launched. Move along, nothing to see here and all that...

Of course there's something to see here though. Because after sightings of a sinister looking, GT3 RS-based test mule with an even bigger wing and NACA-ducted front deck at the 'ring we now have as close to official confirmation as we'll get that it was the new 911 GT2 RS. And it's come via unusual channels, the car making an appearance at the E3 games show in Los Angeles to celebrate its appearance in Forza Motorsport 7. And not just a virtual one - the actual car was there on stage, in the metal to celebrate the fact it's the poster-child for the game and appears as the 'cover art' for the box and all promotional material.

This is a big deal, both for Porsche and the gaming world. Sure, we've had icons forged in pixel form and a whole generation of real world drivers (most of the PH office included) would readily admit Gran Turismo was as much part of our car education as were magazines, TV shows and, yes, websites. The Japanese brands have benefitted hugely from this and were quick to recognise the brand-building potential of having their cars presented to such an impressionable audience. The European brands, more protective of their image and with a more traditionalist view of the world? A little slower, to the benefit of tuner-manufacturers like Ruf, their status permitting gamers to drive 'Porsches' on screen even if the brand itself wasn't willing to join in.

For Porsche to use an arena like E3 and a games launch to unveil a car like the GT2 RS? A big moment, no doubt. Of course, 'unveil' is a literal description for what's happened, given no official details about the car have been released. Speculation continues on that score but sensible bets would be something in the 650hp range from an uprated version of the 911 Turbo S engine and driving the rear wheels only. Not that there's much sensible about that, if a recent run in the previous 997 GT2 RS at Knockhill was anything to go by.

Now the car is out there expect the more formal debut with confirmation of exactly how ludicrous those stats will prove to be in due course.

911 GT2 RS in Forza 7 gameplay footage

[DPSFleet]

Very appropriate launch really, it a virtual car to most of us anyhow.

[RacerMike]

Quite cool that they've included Jebel Hafeet. Was lucky enough to drive it last year with a friend, and it's an incredible road. If anyone here ends up in Dubai with a spare evening, drive over to Al Ain. Late at night it's basically empty, billiard table smooth and 4 lanes wide with some really challenging corners. The view at the top is pretty incredible too.

[Shotaro]

said:

A little slower, to the benefit of tuner-manufacturers like Ruf, their status permitting gamers to drive 'Porsches' on screen even if the brand itself wasn't willing to join in

That's not true. EA held the Porsche license for games from 2000 to 2016 so other companies could not put Porsche cars in their games which is why they used RUF and other manufacturers as these were not counted as modifiers (which EA would have been able to block) but different manufacturers

EA put Porsche's in their Need For Speed franchise for years, of particular note is "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed" released in 2000 which was a selection of Porsche's from 1950 to 2000

Edited by Shotaro on Monday 12th June 12:39

[Dan Trent]

Shotaro said:

That's not true. EA held the Porsche license for games from 2000 to 2016 so other companies could not put Porsche cars in their games which is why they used RUF and other manufacturers as these were not counted as modifiers (which EA would have been able to block) but different manufacturers

EA put Porsche's in their Need For Speed franchise for years, of particular note is "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed" released in 2000 which was a selection of Porsche's from 1950 to 2000

Edited by Shotaro on Monday 12th June 12:39

Reasonable point. And I hope at least one of the parties got their money's worth out of that deal! But to be absent from a franchise so influential to a generation of gamers-turned-drivers as GT would seem with hindsight a missed opportunity. Especially when you feel the influence of 'PlayStation cars' like the current Nissan GT-R in the way Porsche now sets its cars up - drive a 991 911 Turbo S and you'll realise Porsche has had to respond by making its cars feel more GT-R. See a previous rant here!

Gran Turismo's cultural dominance isn't what it was - arguably Forza is now the benchmark product. But its influence over a generation can't be ignored, if I may be so bold!

Cheers,

Dan

[Shotaro]

I totally agree, I don't think Porsche really understood the importance of gaming on fans at that time and EA popped up with a big cheque which to Porsche probably seemed like free money so they jumped at it - 16 years is a very long time for 1 decision

[Warby80]

Shotaro said:

said:

A little slower, to the benefit of tuner-manufacturers like Ruf, their status permitting gamers to drive 'Porsches' on screen even if the brand itself wasn't willing to join in

That's not true. EA held the Porsche license for games from 2000 to 2016 so other companies could not put Porsche cars in their games which is why they used RUF and other manufacturers as these were not counted as modifiers (which EA would have been able to block) but different manufacturers

EA put Porsche's in their Need For Speed franchise for years, of particular note is "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed" released in 2000 which was a selection of Porsche's from 1950 to 2000

Edited by Shotaro on Monday 12th June 12:39

2016? Forza 4 had a porsche expansion pack in mid 2012?

[Shotaro]

Yep, 2016, the Forza expansion would have been through using the license through EA

https://www.polygon.com/2016/12/13/13935732/porsch...

https://arstechnica.co.uk/cars/2016/12/porsches-ex...

Details on the EA/Forza licensing deal: Porsche has been in the last three Forza Motorsports through a sub-licensing deal with EA.
https://gamerant.com/forza-motorsport-4-porsche-ex...

Edited by Shotaro on Monday 12th June 14:49

[Warby80]

Shotaro said:

Yep, 2016, the Forza expansion would have been through using the license through EA

https://www.polygon.com/2016/12/13/13935732/porsche-ea-exclusive-license-gran-turismo

https://arstechnica.co.uk/cars/2016/12/porsches-exclusive-deal-with-electronic-arts-is-no-more

Interesting, good bit of business for EA that i bet, must have had a good chuckle to themselves when Porsche signed it!

[Chapppers]

To add an extra element of reality, the car's in-game value appreciates by 50% each time you don't drive it.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i must admit i was surprised to see it on stage

but this is a big deal for porsche, they have got back licensing control of their cars and they are going to make the most of it


lets play how much they are going to flip for, my £10 is on £500k

[ZX10R NIN]

Smart move by Porsche expect to see them on the new GT

[Rich_W]

Dave Hedgehog said:

lets play how much they are going to flip for, my £10 is on £500k

Indeed!


Or conversely Porsche could decide to make as many as they get orders for and then sell that at the MSRP. Thereby making THEM lots of money and cutting out the majority of flippers.


But apparently despite old Porsche man saying (paraphrasing) "we are not a hedge fund" The bottom line is that is EXACTLY what they have become. Seems a bizarre way to run a company. Reduce your profits so others can make big profits?

[Vocht]

Dave Hedgehog said:

i must admit i was surprised to see it on stage

but this is a big deal for porsche, they have got back licensing control of their cars and they are going to make the most of it


lets play how much they are going to flip for, my £10 is on £500k

Possibly even more! 911R's were going for that and there were 991 of those built. Only 500x 997 GT2 RS' were built so I suspect this generation will be the same.

On another note, it's a real shame they didn't include the spoiler intakes like on the 997 GT2 RS. Really loved those!

[NickCQ]

Rich_W said:

But apparently despite old Porsche man saying (paraphrasing) "we are not a hedge fund" The bottom line is that is EXACTLY what they have become. Seems a bizarre way to run a company. Reduce your profits so others can make big profits?

Sounds like the opposite of a hedge fund then...

[anonymous-user]

Rich_W said:

Indeed!


Or conversely Porsche could decide to make as many as they get orders for and then sell that at the MSRP. Thereby making THEM lots of money and cutting out the majority of flippers.


But apparently despite old Porsche man saying (paraphrasing) "we are not a hedge fund" The bottom line is that is EXACTLY what they have become. Seems a bizarre way to run a company. Reduce your profits so others can make big profits?

Whilst I don't understand why they don't build as many as they can either, I'd have one at list in a heart beat, comparing them to a hedge fund is absurd. The quote was from a few years back after they short squeezed VW but it was a daft accusation even then.

[Dave Hedgehog]

fblm said:

Whilst I don't understand why they don't build as many as they can either, I'd have one at list in a heart beat, comparing them to a hedge fund is absurd. The quote was from a few years back after they short squeezed VW but it was a daft accusation even then.

they quote was recent, from porsche to enthusiasts who complained about flippers

but they carried on anyway and released at least 3 models that have been flipped

[wst]

Vocht said:

On another note, it's a real shame they didn't include the spoiler intakes like on the 997 GT2 RS. Really loved those!

And the 993. They're probably my favourite touch about the car.

[xjay1337]

"Fortzaaahhhh motorsports".

[GroundEffect]

xjay1337 said:

"Fortzaaahhhh motorsports".

It's an Italian word, that's how it's pronounced....

Are you saying we should pronounce Speciale "Spe-shul" or Vignale "Vig-Nul" like a Essex wide-boy?

[tankplanker]

Rich_W said:

Indeed!


Or conversely Porsche could decide to make as many as they get orders for and then sell that at the MSRP. Thereby making THEM lots of money and cutting out the majority of flippers.


But apparently despite old Porsche man saying (paraphrasing) "we are not a hedge fund" The bottom line is that is EXACTLY what they have become. Seems a bizarre way to run a company. Reduce your profits so others can make big profits?

If I ran a Porsche dealer and wanted to make as much cash as possible from the limited run Porsches I would insist that all subsequent sales were made via my dealership otherwise the owner would be cut off from future limited editions. That way I'd get a healthy cut of the profit time and again for the car, and likely more than I'd get selling two or three times that number of a normally depreciating car of the same initial purchase price.

I think Porsche are also banking on the halo models reducing depreciation on the normal models by association, which again benefits the dealers.

I have nothing against limited production runs, just how Porsche decide who gets one and who doesn't.