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| Porsche Carrera GT | |
|---|---|
| Porsche | |
| aka | {{{aka}}} |
| Production | 2004–2006 (1,270 produced) |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body Style | 2-door Targa roadster |
| Length | 4,613 mm (181.6 in) |
| Width | 1,921 mm (75.6 in) |
| Height | 1,166 mm (45.9 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,730 mm (107.5 in) |
| Weight | {{{Weight}}} |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Engine | 5.7 L (5,733 cc) Porsche M80/01 DOHC V10 |
| Power | {{{Power}}} |
| Similar | {{{Similar}}} |
| Designer | {{{Designer}}} |
The Porsche Carrera GT (Project Code 980) is a mid-engine sports car that was manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 2004 to 2006. Sports Car International named the Carrera GT number one on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s, and number eight on its Top Sports Cars of All Time list. For its advanced technology and development of its chassis, Popular Science magazine awarded it the "Best of What's New" award in 2003.
History[]
Porsche began developing this car in 2000 as a successor to the 911 GT1 car they had discontinued in late 1998, but the project was abandoned. Porsche maintained that the vehicle was dropped because of FIA rule changes, although speculation has indicated that Porsche discontinued development at the behest of VW/Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch; Piëch was reportedly concerned over the prospect of a Porsche vehicle competing against the Audi R8 race car, which had just been introduced. As a member of the Porsche family, Piëch holds a seat on the company's board of directors and owns a percentage of the firm, so his influence could be exacted from inside. In addition, Porsche needed to free up capital and manpower for development work on the Cayenne, and dropping development of the race car made it possible.
Porsche did however produce one unit, and showed it 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 being provided by the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to make use of 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 US$440,000 and a dealer invoice price of approximately US$ 414,800. In addition, the delivery charge could be as much as US$15,000.
Originally, a production run of 1,500 cars was slated. But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT throughout 2006, reducing the total production estimate to 1,250 units. Porsche announced that this discontinuation was due to changing airbag regulations in the US. However, reports of diminishing sales volumes, relatively high dealer inventory levels, and dealer discounts below MSRP were reported by the automotive press as being the true factors driving an early end to the production run. Despite the early end to production, sales of the Carrera GT were a huge success, with worldwide sales volumes surpassing the combined totals of Ferrari's Enzo, Mercedes' McLaren SLR, and Pagani's Zonda models.
340 Carrera GTs were sold in the United States in 2005. Production of the Carrera GT stopped on May 6, 2006 after more than 1270 units had been manufactured. Approximately half of the vehicles were sold in North America.
Design[]
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 that 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. Custom colours were later available from the factory. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is the only available transmission.
The Carrera GT has large side inlets and air dams that help cool the large V10 engine framed by the carbon fibre rear bonnet. Fitted with Porsche's latest Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite braking system, the 15-inch (380 mm) SGL Carbon disc brakes are fitted inside the 19 inch front and 20 inch rear 5-spoke alloy wheels. Similar to other Porsche models, such as the 911, the GT includes an electronically operated rear wing which deploys at speeds above 113 km/h (70 mph).
The interior is trimmed in soft leather. Bose audio system and a navigation system were standard. In typical Porsche fashion, the ignition is present 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 the left hand and put it in gear with the right.
Technology[]
The Porsche Carrera GT's carbon-ceramic (silicon carbide) disk brake
Technology of note includes a pure carbon fiber 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 use of a ceramic clutch. This is the first appearance of this race car technology in a road car. The clutch, although difficult to master, allows the engine to sit lower in the chassis than in any other super car, both improving its aerodynamics and lowering its center of gravity.
Despite a seemingly difficult clutch, Porsche incorporated computer management of the clutch when the car is on an incline. Drivers are able to lift completely off the clutch and not stall the car.
Unlike some of its rivals, the Carrera GT does not use the same electronic driving aids such as dynamic stability control, but it does have traction control. Porsche engineers have designed a communicative chassis and rely on the ability of the driver.
Owners[]
Famous Carrera GT owners include:
- Michael Dell - founder Dell Computer
- Jay Leno - Tonight Show Host
- Ralph Lauren - Fashion Designer
- Jerry Seinfeld - Comedian / Actor
- Tiger Woods - Professional Golfer
- Thierry Henry - professionall footballer
- Samuel Bayer - Award Winning Video Producer
- Christijan Albers - Formula 1 Racing Driver (Team Spyker)
One-offs[]
In 2013, Zagato introduced the Porsche Carrera GTZ based on the Porsche Carrera GT. Commissioned by a Swiss Porsche collector and former racing driver, it has a modified carbon fiber body which is more aerodynamic. The car has the same technical specification as the Porsche Carrera GT.
Gallery[]
See also[]
External links[]
- Official Porsche Carrera GT USA Homepage
- Porsche Carrera GT Crash Gallery
- 2003 Porsche Carrera GT
- SuperCarNews Carrera GT Image Gallery - High Resolution Porsche Carrera GT Images
- Porsche Carrera GT wallpapers and videos
- Porsche Carrera GT foto - Images Carrera GT in Moscow
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This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Porsche Carrera GT. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Autopedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License. |