One of the most anticipated cars of this year’s Geneva Motor Show was the 2017 Porsche 911R, a 500 horsepower GT3 RS without the annoying automatic gearbox. A car that was sold out before you’d know about it. Meanwhile, Chevrolet secretly made something very similar that normal people can have too, with or without stripes.
Remember what happened when the new GT3 RS came out? These track-focused specials were sold out immediately and dealers started doubling the sticker price for those lunatics who insisted on having one anyway. Exclusivity guaranteed, the Porsche way.
With the manual RS, otherwise known as the new 911R, it’s the same story all over again. Apparently, they’ll only build 991 of these, and all had a home before you knew they’re coming. Many were bought as an investment for sure, and while many of us didn’t have $184,900 to spend on a special 911 to begin with, that’s beyond the point.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the water, Chevrolet had a look at their bonkers Z06, only to find that they should also offer this package with all the goodies but the blower.
The result is the 460 horsepower 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, and while the Commemorative Edition you see here is limited in undisclosed numbers, Chevy will build as many standard Grand Sports as you buy. Plus a few for the museum.
2017 Porsche 911R: A simplified track-focused road car build for collectors and car brokers.
2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport: A simplified track-focused road car build for anybody who can afford a new Corvette that’s priced below the Z06.
Did I mention you can also get this with a manual?
Corvette wins.
Photo credit: Máté Petrány/Jalopnik
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