2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype

Convertible
Chassis number: 9R3/M 001

On September 28th of 2000, Porsche introduced their Carrera GT to the world at the Louvre. The Carrera GT grew from the unrealized LMP 2000 project, which had been started by Porsche Motorsport Chief Herbert Ampferer during Porsche's one-year hiatus from the top level of sports car racing. Their turbocharged engines had been successful in the GT1 category from 1995 through 1998, however, Porsche intended to switch to normally aspirated power for their all-new machine. Powering the LMP 2000 was a development of the Type 3512 3.5-liter V10, used in the Arrows Footwork F1 program. The engine was enlarged to 5.5-liters and given two gear-driven camshafts per cylinder bank. The drivetrain and suspension components were borrowed from the GT1-98 project and installed in a new carbon fiber tub built in the UK by Lola Composites.

The project showed tremendous promise during initial testing, however Porsche chief Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking decided to halt the project in November of 1999. It was labeled a 'business decision' as the company focused their resources and funds on the development of the Cayenne SUV.

Competition has always been part of Porsche's DNA and it wasn't long before Dr. Wiedeking allowed the engineers to build a top-line sports car. One of the first decisions made was to integrate the V-10 engine from the LMP 2000 car into the model. Two Carrera GT prototypes were built, intended solely as concept cars, both using parts sourced from the company's racing bins. The GT1-98 program had much to offer, including the gearbox and suspension components. The space frame chassis was comprised of high-strength aluminum and 15-inch carbon ceramic brakes were placed behind newly designed, center-lock, aluminum 19- and 20-inch wheelbase wearing 265 and 335 section-width Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Even though they were merely concepts, Porsche still fitted them with ABS braking and power system.

The styling for the new supercar was assigned to a team headed by Harm Lagaay. Both Porsche's newly opened Los Angeles-based US design studio and the German styling department were given two days to sketch concepts that would express the qualities necessary for the new Carrera GT. The winning design had to express the extreme aerodynamic and technical requirements of the project while looking as much like a member of the Porsche family as possible.

Two prototypes were built, but only one of the two was assembled as a running automobile. Both cars were similar, yet different, from the production Carrera GT, which it shares almost no components.

This particular example, chassis number 9R3/M 001, is the working prototype example. It has a state-of-the-art high-definition screen instead of instrumentation, and machined billet aluminum projector-style headlights. The engine is a 5500cc dual overhead cam V10 engine fitted with electronic fuel injection and offering nearly 560 horsepower. There is a six-speed manual transaxle, and carbon ceramic disc brakes.

This hand-built supercar was purchased by Mr. Jerry Seinfeld directly from the company in January of 2007. He has been car's sole private owner. It was the only working prototype example, however, Porsche removed the ECU from the engine-management system prior to it entering Mr. Seinfeld's collection. Thus, it remains un-drivable.

by Dan Vaughan

The manufacture of the most successful supercar in history has come to an end. Production of the Carrera GT at Porsche's facility in Leipzig, Germany, concluded on Saturday, May 6, 2006, bringing to a close the latest series in a line of ultra-exclusive and ultra-performing automobiles from Porsche.

In its brief production run, and befitting its ethereal performance, the award-winning Carrera GT was named 'Best Dream Car 2004' by Road & Track magazine, and 'Best Dream Machine' by the popular MotorWeek television program in 2005. 'Even a short ride in this carbon-fiber wonder-car will spoil you for the rest of your life,' said MotorWeek host John Davis. 'The Carrera GT is the best motivation to get rich that we've ever driven.'

Even in an economic climate that did not favor products in this segment of the market, Porsche's V-10 powered supercar has sold in unprecedented numbers. More than 1,270 Carrera GTs have been sold since its introduction in late 2003. To date, 604 have found homes in North America. This figure represents a greater number than the total production of the McLaren F1, Ferrari Enzo, and Pagani Zonda models combined.

The Carrera GT is a storied member in a line of limited edition supercars, a lineage born from Porsche's experience at the highest levels of world-class endurance racing. The Carrera GT owes its product modeling as an exclusive, racing-derived, ultra-high-performance roadcar to Porsche's first supercar, the 959. Storming the world automotive stage at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1985, the 959 was intended for 'Group B' racing competition, and served as Porsche's technology flagship—a rolling paradigm of automotive performance from which future models could draw even loftier benchmarks.

The Carrera GT supercar also had its genesis in the racing program, but instead became a street-only machine. The Carrera GT evolved from a 5.5-liter V-10 engine program originally developed for endurance competition. Enlarged to 5.7-liters for the production car, the naturally aspirated Carrera GT's V-10 produces 605 (SAE) horsepower at 8,000 rpm, and this power is routed through a production car first—Porsche's Ceramic Composite Clutch (PCCC®). Only 6.65 inches (169mm) in diameter, the race-caliber clutch easily handles the Carrera GT's prodigious output while allowing the entire powertrain to sit lower in the chassis, dropping the center of gravity for even sharper handling.

The Carrera GT's wide use of cutting edge materials prompted Popular Science magazine in 2003 to name the exotic machine the 'Best of What's New' for its advanced technology and chassis development. The Carrera GT's monocoque chassis is constructed from bonded layers of carbon fiber tissue, resin, and aluminum and plastic honeycomb materials that are incredibly light, but strong. The entire chassis weighs just over 220 pounds (100 kg), and is mated to equally esoteric materials including forged magnesium wheels, and the staggering 380mm Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB®).

Thanks to near fanatical attention to weight savings, the performance results are stunning. The Carrera GT will accelerate from a standing start to 62 mph (100 km/h) in only 3.9 seconds, at which point, things really get going. The 99 mph (160 km/h) mark arrives in less than seven seconds, 124 mph (200 km/h) in under 10 seconds, and the Carrera GT can achieve a top test-track speed of 205 mph (330 km/h). Despite the otherworldly performance, the Carrera GT is still one of few supercars that can be driven every day. Traction control, air conditioning, GPS navigation, a Bose audio system, and a fitted, 5-piece, matched-leather luggage set are standard equipment. The Porsche Carrera GT first went on sale in North America on January 31, 2004, and pricing for this ultimate Porsche supercar is $440,000 (USD).

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne® sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 300 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 213 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

by Porsche