Porsche Carrera GT

The Carrera GT grew out of racing projects that never raced. Its V10 began as a Formula 1 design study in the early 1990s and was developed for a Le Mans prototype that Porsche cancelled before it competed. The engine was then enlarged to 5.7 litres and put into a road car, shown as a concept at the Paris motor show in 2000.

The production car had a carbon-fibre monocoque and a carbon engine subframe, pushrod suspension, ceramic brakes and a very small ceramic clutch. The gearbox was a six-speed manual and there was no stability control. It was assembled at Leipzig, and 1,270 were built against an original plan of 1,500.

It is widely regarded as one of the great analogue supercars, largely because of the engine, which revs to 8,400 rpm with an unmistakable wail, and partly because it demands skill from its driver.

Variants

Variant	Years	Notes
Carrera GT	2003–2006	One specification; colours and interior trim varied.

On a road trip

People do tour in them, and there is fitted luggage for the purpose, but this is a wide, low, valuable car with a sensitive clutch and no electronic safety net. It suits fast, open, well-surfaced roads far more than tight hairpins. Tyre age matters a great deal: old tyres are a known factor in accidents, and Porsche has approved modern replacements.