2008 Porsche 911 GT2

Of all the variations of the current 911—Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Cabriolet, Targa, GT3, and Turbo—nothing quickens the pulse and spins the tires so readily as the GT2, the upcoming version of which is seen here. To create the GT2, Porsche starts with a 911 Turbo, adds power, reduces weight, and removes the all-wheel drive, creating a much more demanding vehicle to quiet all those complaints that the 911 Turbo is just a soulless high-speed appliance.

The previous-generation GT2 boosted engine output 51 horsepower and 52 lb-ft over the Turbo, so expect this new car to boast around 525 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque. Without the traction benefit of all-wheel drive, the GT2 will probably have a difficult time besting the Turbo’s 3.4 second 0-to-60-mph blast, but with the extra power and a weight reduction of about 220 pounds from shedding the all-wheel drive, all of the 911 Turbo’s higher acceleration benchmarks—including the 185-mph top speed—will be packing their bags and heading for second place.

* 3.6-liter twin turbo flat six
* 530 horsepower at 5,600 rpm
* 505 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,200 to 4,500 rpm
* 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds
* 0-100 mph in 7.1 seconds
* Top speed of 204 mph
* Curb weight: 3,175 lbs
* Titanium exhaust
* 6-speed manual gearbox
* Launch control system

Expect to pay $150,000 to $180,000 for this engineering masterpiece.