ranking the greatest porsche 911s of all time"Greatest 911 ever."It is a phrase often spoken but rarely answered definitively.To settle the debate, Top Gear's Jethro Bovingdon gathered an ultimate collection of iconic Porsche 911s from Porsche's secret heritage stash for a three-day, back-to-back driving test on the spectacular ribboning roads of Germany's Black Forest.From the origin stories of the air-cooled era to the tech-loaded monsters of the modern water-cooled generation, the evaluation strips away pure statistics to focus entirely on driving dynamics, tactile feedback, and emotional engagement. The text below details the distinct vehicle finalists analyzed on the journey to crown the ultimate iteration of the definitive sports car.AdvertisementAdvertisementCheck out the video below:6. Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (1973)ranking the greatest porsche 911s of all time, Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2 7 1973Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (1973)For many enthusiasts, the conversation surrounding the ultimate 911 begins and ends right here. Developed to satisfy FIA Group 4 homologation requirements, the Carrera RS 2.7 is the true origin story of the lightweight, track-focused Porsche road car. Armed with a 2.7-liter mechanically fuel-injected flat-six producing 210 horsepower, it introduced the world to the iconic "ducktail" rear spoiler, wider rear wheels, and flared arches. On the road, it does not feel like a collection of historical seeds; it feels perfectly realized. The thin steering wheel bubbles over with pure, unassisted feedback, and despite its vintage, it allows a driver to attack the road at a stunning pace, establishing itself as a legitimate contender right from the start.5. Porsche 964 Carrera RS (1992)Porsche 964 Carrera RS (1992)AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the automotive media initially criticized the 964 RS upon its debut for being too stiff and uncompromising, history has vindicated this raw machine. Featuring a blueprinted 3.6-liter flat-six pushing 260 horsepower, its body hides extensive engineering upgrades, including a seam-welded shell, an aluminum hood, magnesium Cup wheels, and a complete lack of power steering. The 964 RS brings a distinct physicality and high-intensity workout to the driver. It features an incredibly locked-down chassis and immense grip, proving to be a track-focused beast that demands you work harder to find its sweet spot, though it rewards total commitment with brilliant steering texture and a sharp, precise gearbox.4. Porsche 993 Carrera RS (1995)Porsche 993 Carrera RS (1995)As the very last air-cooled RS model ever produced, the 993 Carrera RS represents a sublime balance of performance and drivability. Weighing just 1,270 kg, it introduced the 3.8-liter M64/20 engine equipped with the VarioRam variable intake system, yielding a healthy 300 horsepower. With a stripped-out interior, a clattering single-mass flywheel that delivers immediate throttle response, and the addition of power-assisted steering that retains all the necessary mechanical grit, the 993 RS feels utterly alive. It captures the free-revving spirit of the original 2.7 RS but turns up the volume, demanding that the driver stay on their absolute "A-game." It earned the official title of the greatest air-cooled 911 in the test, a selection verified by two-time Le Mans class winner Jörg Bergmeister.3. Porsche 991 GT2 RS (2018)Porsche 991 GT2 RS (2018)AdvertisementAdvertisementRepresenting the turbocharged, modern automated era, the 991 GT2 RS is an absolute powerhouse. Pushing a surreal 691 horsepower directly to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast PDK dual-clutch transmission, this model shattered Nürburgring records while remaining shockingly cohesive and exploitable on public roads. Supported by rear-wheel steering and sticky Michelin Cup 2 R tires, it serves as a massive departure from its predecessors. Despite its terrifying numbers, the magic of the GT2 RS lies in its precision and stability, offering a superhero-like driving experience that completely devours asphalt while still preserving the tactile, exciting subtleties that make a vehicle an authentic 911.2. Porsche 992 S/T (2024)ranking the greatest porsche 911s of all time, Porsche 992 S T 2024Porsche 992 S/T (2024)The latest contender for the crown utilizes a highly appealing recipe: take the high-revving, 518-horsepower 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six from the aggressive GT3 RS, bolt it to a short-ratio six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight clutch, and house it in a road-focused chassis devoid of rear-wheel steering. Weighing 1,380 kg, the 992 S/T offers a razor-sharp double-wishbone front end that completely eliminates understeer, combined with massive electronic accuracy. However, because it is explicitly engineered to blend historical traits rather than achieve single-minded racing homologation, it lacks the raw, steely, and unbending motorsport purpose that defines the greatest historical RS models.1. The Champion: Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 (2011)ranking the greatest porsche 911s of all time, Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4 0 2011Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 (2011)AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen the dust settled, the absolute crown was awarded to the legendary 997 GT3 RS 4.0. Serving as the ultimate bridge between classic analog feedback and modern track capability, the 4.0-litre represents the absolute pinnacle of the 911 lineage.It pairs hydraulic steering and a heavy, physical six-speed manual transmission with a magnificent 493-horsepower Mezger flat-six engine featuring a long-throw crankshaft lifted directly from the RSR race car. Weighing 1,360 kg, the car shuns modern driver-assist insulation, delivering a raw, linear, and high-energy balance that shifts constantly under the driver's right foot. It wriggles, writhers, and talks to the driver at every speed, standing out by a razor-thin margin as peak 911 and the greatest iteration ever built.