2003 Porsche Carrera GT
The Carrera GT is presented in 2000 on the Paris motor show. He is delivered to his first customers in 2003 and in 2006 the last, almost exclusively manually laboured, Carrera GT leaves the new Porsche factory in Leipzig.
In spite of its price, the limited and later once again slightly enlarged edition, is soon sold out, most vehicles probably sold into the USA.
Its extremely low weight leaves this car almost without competition, helping it to truly extraordinary acceleration values, supposedly in less than 10 seconds to 200 km/h. It belongs to the super sports cars and founds on
racing technology. If you are interested in its exciting engine sound, click here.
The racing technology is not limited to the engine. The whole construction resembles with its usage of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (Monocoque) a Formula-one vehicle. The car is ready-for-driving also without any plastic
skin. A roof for additional stability is not necessary. In return there is a slightly oversized center console which helps in compensating somewhat the lacking doorway stability. In front of the engine bulkhead and directly
beyond the power train the carbon accumulation stops. It might be necessary to absorb crash energy, e.g., by two strong side members in front and the gigantic exhaust system in the rear.
Do you like more examples of racing technology on board? Take a look at the very complex engine oil withdrawal system which always holds ready enough lubricants, also in extreme bend positions. Or the incredibly light
clutch for high demand and a very low centre of gravity. Do you know another series production car with longitudinal engine and transversely mounted gearbox? Indeed, the masses are positioned as close as possible to the
axis. And what about the horizontal spring and damper units (Pushrods)? Even the wishbones are formed aerodynamically from Carbon reinforced plastic.
The materials used are rare, expensive and difficult to process. Manufacturing the power train and tank as much as possible from aluminum is not totally uncommon. But power drive supports and rear wheel suspension
from carbon fiber reinforced plastic are, connecting rods made of titanium even more. In the dash board we find magnesium, forged magnesium also in the wheel rims. The rear window is made from Polycarbonat
(Perspex).
What is the purpose of using all these materials? Take into consideration for a moment the Porsche Boxster, built at the same time as the Carrera GT. The newest model Boxster S has roughly the same tare weight. Also
this car is optimized in terms of weight. Yet, the Boxster has 6 instead of 10 cylinders, less than half its power, and a little bit more than half its torque. All power train and chassis components must stand up to this power,
meaning they must be heavy enough. And if you lastly take the larger vehicle overall length and width into account, you might be able to judge the engineer's achievements. Of course, the Carrera GT is offered without air-
conditioning, but you are strangely enough able to order it without surcharge. One thing is for sure, there is just one part of this vehicle that is common with all other Porsches: the ignition switch is positioned on the left.
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