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2004
Porsche Carrera GT

Porsche
Carrera
GT
Porsche took a very different to a dedicated road car to be introduced
at a level above all their current offerings. Porsche Carrera GT
route when designing their first dedicated
supercar specifically for road use. The The prototype for the Carrera GT was
5.7 litre mid-engined V10 Carrera GT first shown at the Geneva Motor Show
in 2000. Interest in the car was such that • 5.7 litre V10
is unlike anything else in the Porsche
product catalogue as it was not a variation Porsche decided to proceed with pro- • Rear wheel drive
on the 911 and “boxer” theme. Previous duction, albeit in a very limited num-
Super or Hypercars had been based on ber. Planning was for a total of 1500 • 456 kW @ 8000 rpm
chassis developed for a particular race units however sales never reached that
number before production was ceased. • 435 ft-lb @ 5750 rpm
series, such as the previous very limited
production GT1. The Carrera GT however The Carrera GT went on sale at the end • 1380 kg (3042 lb)
was a dedicated road car from the start of January 2004 but in August 2005
and introduced a V10 to the product Porsche confirmed production would • 0-100 kph - 3.9 seconds
line. That is to not say that Porsches racing not continue past the end of the year.
The final production count stood at • 330 km/h (205 mph)
experience was not extensively used in
the car. 1270.

In the late 90’s Porsche were planning The Carrera GT styling was universally
a new prototype for LeMans in 1999, praised, it managed to look unlike any-
during the course of the development thing else while still keeping the Porsche
the design switched from the traditional family design language. At the time of
flat 6 boxer to a V10. Porsche had previous introduction the major competitor was
experience with a V10 when they where Ferraris Enzo which had a somewhat
developing an engine for the Footwork controversial appearance. Ferrari though
Formula One team in 1992 but that know their limited production market
development never proceeded to finali- well and only ever planned for a total
sation. The decision to go with a V10 production of 499 units. Although they
delayed the LeMans Prototype project built 500 as the final was auction for
charity to support the Tsunami victims.
German

and after initial testing in mid 1999 the

project was shelved. At the time Porsche Pricing for the Carrera GT was around
were co-developing the Cayenne SUV two thirds of the cost of an Enzo.
with the Volkswagen-Audi Group and Not only was the Carrera GT beautifully
as Audi were in full swing with their designed it was also beautifully engineered
Le Mans program it has been suggested and constructed. The carbon-fiber
that the decision for Porsche to drop monocoque produced and assembled by
their Le Mans program may have been ATR Composites Group in Italy, is a vi-
politically motivated. sual delight itself even when un-clothed.
Exotic

While the Le Mans project was dropped, Carbon-fibre was used extensively
the development of the V10 continued throughout the whole car including the
and Porsche re-directed their attention engine, transmission and suspension

Porsche Carrera GT - V1.0 1

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2004
Porsche
Carrera

sub frame. The engine unit bolted to its knob in honour of the 917 which fa-
own carbon-fibre sub-assembly which mously used it. A carbon-fibre option Porsche Carrera GT
in turn bolted to the monocoque and was available for the second year of
the engine itself was a stressed member. sales. The transmission featured a two- Year 2004 - 2005
Production 1270
plate ceramic dry clutch: Porsche Ce- Price at launch $ 440,000 US
The body was predominantly carbon-fi- ramic Composite Clutch (PCCC) and
bre as well. The frameless doors featured ENGINE
a limited-slip differential with locking
a carbon-fibre skin with integrated under power and on overrun. Configuration 68 degree V10
side-impact sections. The front com- Layout Mid Longitudinal
partment and engine cover, rear side, Suspension is inboard with double Induction Natural
GT

Valvetrain DOHC, 4 Valves

underbody panelling, rear diffuser and wishbones and pushrod actuated Fuel feed Direct Fuel Injection
sill panels as well as the two-piece de- spring-and-damper units on front and Displacement 5.7 litre
tachable targa top are all in carbon fiber. rear axle. Steering is power-assisted Compression 12 :1
The body also featured a speed depen- rack-and-pinion while the Porsche Power 456kW (612 bhp) @ 8,000 rpm
Torque 435 lb-ft @ 5,750 rpm
dent automatically extending rear wing Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB)
to aid downforce. brakes are carbon fibre-reinforced BODY
Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) and ceramic Carbon-fibre and plastic body over
Power delivered by the naturally-aspirat- composites with 380-mm (14.96 Carbon-fibre Monocoque
ed 5.7 litre 68-degree V10 engine stands inches) ceramic discs internally vented Weight 1280 kg (3042 lb)
at 456 kW (612 bhp) with a maximum Length 4613 mm (181.61 in)
and cross-drilled, six-piston monobloc Width 1921 mm (75.63 in)
torque of 435 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm. En- aluminium fixed calipers front and rear. Height 1166 mm (45.91 in)
gine construction used Porsches race Traction control is utilised with ABD Wheelbase 2730 mm (107.48 in)
experience with dry-sump lubrication, and ASR; ABS 5.7 (four channel sys- DRIVE
Titanium connecting rods, VarioCam tem)
variable valve control on intake cam- Rear Wheel Drive
Transmission Six-speed manual
shafts, Aluminium twin-flow resonance The Carrera GT came in five colors al- Two-plate ceramic dry clutch
intake manifold and on-board diagnos- though custom paint could be ordered (Porsche Ceramic Composite)
tics for monitoring the emission control through the factory. The standard co-
system lours were Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, SUSPENSION / STEERING
Basalt Black, GT Silver and Seal Grey.. Front Double wishbones with
Porsche only offered a six-speed manual The interior is fitted with a soft leather inboard spring-and-damper
transmission with gate and stick change, upholstery and seats are in leather with
units
contrary to competitors who where Rear Double wishbones with
a carbon fiber and Kevlar shell. inboard spring-and-damper
moving to paddle shifts at the time. The units
stick itself was topped by a beechwood Rod Halligan Steering Rack & Pinion w/Power
Assist

WHEELS / TYRES / BRAKES

Wheels Forged magnesium with
central locking system and
tire pressure monitoring
Front tyres Michelin 265/35 ZR 19
Rear tyres Michelin 335/30 ZR 20
German

Brakes Porsche Ceramic Composite

(PCCB) with 14.96 in (380-
mm) ceramic discs internally
vented and cross-drilled, six
piston monobloc aluminium
fixed calipers front and rear

PERFORMANCE
Top speed 330 kph (205 mph)
0-60 mph 3.8 secs
0-62mph (100kph) 3.9 secs
Exotic

0-124 mph 9.9 secs

Quarter mile 11.4 secs

2 Porsche Carrera GT - V1.0

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2004
Porsche
Carrera
GT
Porsche Carrera GT
Engine detail

German
Exotic

Porsche Carrera GT - V1.0 3

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2004
Porsche
Carrera
GT
German
Exotic

4 Porsche Carrera GT - V1.0

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2004
Porsche
Carrera
GT
Porsche Carrera GT
Monocoque &
inboard suspension detail

German
Exotic

Porsche Carrera GT - V1.0 5

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2004
Porsche
Carrera
GT
German
Exotic

6 Porsche Carrera GT - V1.0