Porsche Carrera GT (2008) CAR review

The Porsche Carrera GT is – or was – arguably the world’s best-selling supercar. Initially Porsche planned to manufacture 1500 of the mid-engined targa-topped two-seaters, but the Leipzig production line called it a day at 1270. Which to even the most jaundiced-eye looks pretty impressive for a clean-sheet Le Mans-inspired £330,000 supercar that’s capable of a genuine 205mph Mind you, each one made Porsche money, and each one was sold before it was built. 'I am very happy with 1270 sales – it’s the highest number of supercars ever sold in a single production run,' says Michael Hölscher, who led the Carrera GT development team. So, how much money did it actually make? Hölscher smiles. ‘Not a lot. But enough.'

The Porsche Carrera GT is hardly the most exotic looking supercar, is it?

True, the Carrera pales in comparison to flamboyants like the Zonda and Enzo, but that’s because its looks have been determined by function. I interviewed Harm Lagaay – the Dutchman who headed up Porsche’s design and oversaw the Carrera GT - and asked how he would respond to the criticism that the car looked at best anonymous and at worst like a beefed up MR2. He looked at me disdainfully and replied that the car looked the way it did because that was the way it would function best. It was a short interview.

So let me guess – all the excitement is underneath the carbonfibre skin?

Well, if peerless engineering and exotic materials excite you, then the Carrera borders on the pornographic. As you’d expect, it’s that engine that takes centre stage. The 68-degree 5.7-litre V10, salvaged from Porsche’s aborted 2000 Le Mans programme, has a sand-cast block, which meant only three can be made in a 24-hour production cycle. And its integral cast timing chain cover means the engine will be bespoke to the Carrera GT application. Its conrods are engineered from hydroformed steel, its sump has ten pumps, and the ceramic clutch, smaller and lighter than any other road car with this level of performance, can handle up to 16000rpm – that’s twice peak power.

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