PORSCHE CARRERA GT

The Porsche Carrera GT is a mid-engined sports car that was manufactured by Porsche in Leipzig, Germany. It was nominated the fastest car of the year in 2005.

The development of the Carrera GT can be traced back to its predecessors, the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98 racing cars. Due in part to the FIA and ACO rule changes in 1998, both designs had ended. 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 Carrera GT is powered by a 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 (62.1 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 334 km/h (207 mph). The Carrera GT has large side inlets and air dams that help cool the large V10 framed by the carbon fiber rear hood. Fitted with Porsche's latest brake system, the 15 inch ceramic pad brakes make an impressive appearance underneath the 19 inch front and 20 inch rear wheels.

Notable technology includes a pure carbon fiber monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The carbon fiber monocoque and subframe were produced and assembled by ATR Composites Group of Italy. The Carrera GT radiator is about five times the size of a 911 Turbo's. 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 during the development of the Carrera GT.