Porsche Carrera GT

Porsche Carrera GT
Overview
Manufacturer	Porsche
Production	2004–-2006
Body and chassis
Class	Supercar
Body style	2-door roadster
Platform	mid-engine RWD
Powertrain
Engine	5.7 L V10
Chronology
Predecessor	Porsche 959

The Porsche Carrera GT is a supercar manufactured by Porsche of Germany.

History

The Carrera GT's development can be traced back to a Porsche successor to the 911 GT1-98 and LMP1-98 racing cars that had ended after the 1998, partially due to FIA and ACO rule changes. Porsche at the time had planned on a new Le Mans prototype for 1999. The car was initially intended to use a turbocharged flat-6, but was later redesigned to use a new V10 engine, pushing the project back to planned competition in 2000. The V10 was a unit secretly built by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992, but later shelved. The engine was resurrected for the Le Mans prototype and increased in size to 5.5 litres. Unfortunately the project was cancelled shortly before the first car could be completed in the middle of 1999, mostly due to Porsche's wish to build the Cayenne SUV with involvement from Volkswagen and Audi, thus requiring engineering expertise to be pulled from the motorsports division. It was also speculated that VW-Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch wanted Audi's new Le mans Prototype, the Audi R8 not to face competition from Porsche in 2000.

Porsche did keep part of the project alive by using the 5.7L V10 from the prototype in a concept car shown at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue provided by the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to produce the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, shipping the units with an MSRP of $440,000 USD and a dealer invoice price of approximately $414,800 USD. In addition, the delivery charge could be as much as $15,000 USD. The first Carrera GT went on sale in the US on Jan 31, 2004.

Originally a production run of 1,500 cars was planned. But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT through 2006. Porsche announced that this discontinuation was due to changing airbag regulations in the US. However, diminishing sales volumes, relatively high dealer inventory levels, and dealer discounts below MSRP were reported by the automotive press to be the true factors driving an early end to the production run. Despite the early end to production, worldwide sales of the Carrera GT surpassed the combined totals of the Enzo Ferrari, the Mclaren F1, and the Pagani Zonda[1].

As of May 6, 2006, 1,270 GT's had been sold, with 604 being sold in the United States[2].

Design

The Carrera GT is powered by an all-new 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 DIN (605 SAE) horsepower (450 kW) whereas the original concept car featured a 5.5 litre version rated at 558 hp (416 kW). Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), although road tests indicated that in reality the car could accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and 0-100 in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 336-346 km/h (209-215.2 mph). The Carrera GT has a basic 5 colour paint schemes which include: Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver and Seal Grey. Custom colors were also available from the factory. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is the only available transmission, in contrast to its rival the Enzo Ferrari which is only offered with a computer actuated paddle shifted manual gearbox. Attached to this gearbox is a birch/ash gearknob which pays homage to the wooden gearknob used in the Porsche 917 Le Mans racers. With the Enzo Ferrari priced initially around $660,000, the Carrera GT base price of $448,400 makes the dream of owning a piece of Le Mans inspired technology somewhat more attainable. The Carrera GT is also priced at $600,000 in Canadian dollars, and at 390,000 in Euros.

The Carrera GT has large side inlets and airdams that help cool the large V-10 that lies framed by the carbon fibre rear hood. Fitted with Porsche's latest brake system, the 15 inch ceramic pad brakes make a stunning appearance underneath the 19 inch front and 20 inch rear tires. Similar to other Porsche Models, the GT includes an automated rear wing spoiler which deploys in the higher ranges of speed (70 mph).

Technology

The Porsche Carrera GT's carbon-ceramic (silicon carbide) disc brake

Technology of note includes a pure carbon fibre monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The carbon fibre monocoque and subframe were produced and assembled by the ATR Composites Group of Italy. The main innovation on this vehicle however is the drivetrain:

The interior is fitted with firm leather. BOSE audio system and navigation systems are available as options. In typical Porsche fashion, the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel. This placement dates back to the early days of Le Mans racing when drivers were required to make a running start, hop into their cars, start them and begin the race. The placement of the ignition enabled the driver to start the car with his left hand and put it in gear with his right.

Unlike some of its rivals, the Carrera GT does not feature dynamic stability control, but it does have traction control.

Porsche claims that over 75 technology patents have been filed from development of the Carrera GT.

Gallery

• 
  Porsche Carrera GT - Front
• 
  Porsche Carrera GT - Rear
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  Porsche Carrera GT Interior - Note placement of the gear selector immediately adjacent to the steering wheel

External links

• Porsche Official Web Site
• Final Carrera GT Produced
• Carrera GT pictures, videos & news
• Failed Porsche LMP project which formed the basis for the Carrera GT
• Porsche Carrera GT vs Porsche 911 GT3 RSR by Road and Track
• Top Gear video