This 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, with only 152 original miles, is one of the most pristine and showroom-fresh examples in the world. Racing has always been at the heart and soul of every Porsche, but no single production example of the marque intended for street use embodies this competition heritage more than the Carrera GT. The car was initially designed as a Le Mans Prototype race car with the internal designation of 鈥?R3.鈥?The entire monocoque and sub-frame is of carbon-fiber construction鈥攖he first production car to ever feature this as chassis material. This extremely lightweight yet exceeding strong structure was absolute cutting-edge technology during its era. The race-inspired design is also reflected in the engine鈥攁 V-10 displacing 5.7 liters and producing 605 horsepower. This powerplant was originally designed and built by Porsche as a Formula 1 race engine for the Arrows team. Although it never saw competition in Formula 1, Porsche had every intention of using it in the 鈥?R3鈥?Le Mans Prototype for active campaigning in the 2000 season.
The single greatest attribute of the Carrera GT is the pure driving experience that it delivers. The car requires鈥攏o, demands鈥攜our absolute attention and involvement. Each Carrera GT comes equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission鈥攖here is no automatic choice. Hence, leisurely driving in the automatic mode is not an option. The fore and aft weight distribution is optimized with the longitudinal engine/transmission unit placed amid-ship via sub-frame in the chassis. Porsche employed two design measures to drastically lower the center of gravity including a dry-sump lubrication system coupled with a multiple friction disc clutch assembly. The suspension is pushrod activated to inboard-mounted dampers and springs. Porsche engineers were so confident in the cornering capability of the Carrera GT that it is totally devoid of any electronic stability-control devices. Although the Carrera GT suspension limits of adhesion are far beyond the driving talent of all but mortal drivers, the absence of an operator-error safety net fully necessitates your total concentration. Likewise, the high-winding Formula 1-inspired engine has a spine-tingling wailing sound as it approaches its 8,500 RPM redline while registering more than 96 decibels on the sound meter.
This does not leave the necessary silence to carry on a soft conversation with your passenger during a spirited drive. The Carrera GT is a driver鈥檚 car that rewards you with sublime telepathic cornering, neck-snapping acceleration and Formula 1 auditory feedback. Introduced in 2004, the Carrera GT was received with universal awe and adulation. The car was drop-dead gorgeous and demonstrated amazing performance. The factory-rated top speed was 205 MPH, and the car could accelerate from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds. This level of performance is impressive by even current standards. 448,000, and production was limited to just 1,270 units. Actual sales prices far exceeded the sticker price with captive buyers willing to pay a substantial premium to own one. This car presents beautifully in Basalt Black with dark grey leather interior. This is a rare opportunity to own one of the finest remaining examples of the world-class Carrera GT supercar, and one of just 604 imported into the United States.
It鈥檚 sharp and positive yet there鈥檚 some softness that makes it easy to relax over long distances. Sure, critics claim electric-assisted steering - which is now common to all Porsches - is less sensitive than the old hydraulic system and, in turn, that was regarded as being much softer than the non-power units of the early cars. So it鈥檚 quick, responsive and quiet. Not quite. I had expected more kick in this S version. More noise, more punch. But it鈥檚 a predictable and linear engine and perhaps that鈥檚 what Macan buyers want. Maybe this is the norm while the forthcoming (2020) GTS will be the one to pick for all the noise and neck lash. First the elephant in the room - there鈥檚 no autonomous emergency braking (AEB) unless you tick (and pay for) the optional pack that includes active cruise control. Further, AEB won鈥檛 be standard on the next Turbo and GTS Macan variants.
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