Porsche Carrera GT

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The development of the Carrera GT traces back to the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98 racing cars. After FIA and ACO rule changes in 1998, Porsche planned a new Le Mans prototype for 1999, initially with a turbocharged flat-six engine, then redesigned with a V10 based on a unit secretly built for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992. The LMP 2000 was cancelled in November 1999, but Porsche kept the project alive by using the 5.5 L V10 in a concept car shown at the 2000 Paris Motor Show. Surprising interest and revenue from the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to produce the road-legal version at its new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. The first Carrera GT went on sale in the United States on 31 January 2004. Originally planned for 1,500 cars, production ended on 6 May 2006 with 1,270 cars made—644 sold in the United States, 31 in Canada, and 49 in the United Kingdom.

In Their Own Story

The Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7 L (5,733 cc) V10 engine rated at 450 kW (612 PS; 603 hp), whereas the original concept car featured a 5.5-litre version rated at 416 kW (566 PS; 558 hp). A road test in June 2004 by Car and Driver showed the car can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, 0–100 mph (161 km/h) in 6.8 seconds, and 0–209 km/h (130 mph) in 10.8 seconds. The official top speed was 330 km/h (205 mph). The Carrera GT was initially offered with five basic colours: Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver metallic and Seal Grey. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is the only available transmission. The interior is trimmed in soft leather, with a Bose audio system and navigation system standard. In typical Porsche fashion, the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel—a placement dating back to early Le Mans racing when drivers made a running start, enabling them to start the car with the left hand and put it in gear with the right.

Reader's Guide

The Carrera GT features a pure carbon fibre monocoque and subframe produced by ATR Composites Group of Italy, dry sump lubrication, and inboard suspension. At speeds above 113 km/h (70 mph), the electronically operated rear wing raises into the airstream to reduce lift. The radiator is about five times the size of that of a 911 Turbo of its time. The front and rear suspension system consists of pushrod actuated shock absorbers and dampers with anti-roll bars. Fitted with Porsche's Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite braking system, the 15-inch (380 mm) SGL Carbon disc brakes are fitted inside 19-inch front and 20-inch rear 5-spoke alloy wheels. The car's mass is 1,380 kg (3,042 lb). Track tests include a Nürburgring Nordschleife time of 7:28 and a Top Gear Test Track time of 1:19.8. Notable aftermarket sales include a 250-mile 2005 Silver GT sold for USD $2,000,000 on 18 January 2022 via Bring-a-Trailer.

Did You Know?

• The Carrera GT's V10 engine was based on a unit secretly built by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992.
• Only 1,270 Carrera GTs were built by the end of production on 6 May 2006, against a planned run of 1,500.
• The ignition is placed to the left of the steering wheel, a tradition from early Le Mans racing where drivers started the car with their left hand while shifting with the right.
• The Carrera GT's radiator is about five times the size of that of a 911 Turbo of its time.
• A 250-mile 2005 Silver GT sold for USD $2,000,000 on 18 January 2022 on Bring-a-Trailer.