Porsche began developing the car in 2000 as a successor to the 911 GT1 car they had discontinued in late 1998, but the project was abandoned. Porsche maintained that the vehicle was dropped because of FIA rule changes, although speculation has indicated that Porsche discontinued development at the behest of VW/Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch; Piëch was reportedly concerned over the prospect of a Porsche vehicle competing against the Audi R8 race car, which had just been introduced. As a member of the Porsche family, Piëch holds a seat on the company's board of directors and owns a percentage of the firm, so his influence could be exacted from inside. In addition, Porsche needed to free up capital and manpower for development work on the Cayenne, and dropping development of the race car made it possible.

2004 - 2006 Porsche Carrera GT History

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2004 - 2006 Porsche Carrera GT History
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: V10
  • Horsepower: 612 @ 8000
  • Torque: 435 @ 5800
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase 2,730 MM (107 Inches)
Length 4,613 MM (181.6 Inches)
Width 1,921 MM (75.6 Inches)
Height 1,166 MM (45.9 Inches)

Interior

Drivetrain

Drivetrain Specifications

Drivetrain layout Mid-engine RWD
Engine type 68° V10, aluminium block and heads
Valve gear DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder (40 valves total), variable valve timing on intake camshafts, sodium-cooled exhaust valves
Bore x stroke 3.86 in (98.04 mm) x 2.99 in (75.95 mm)
Displacement 5,733 cc
Compression ratio 12.0:1
Max SAE net horsepower 612 HP @ 8,000 RPM
Max SAE net torque 435 LB-FT 5,800 RPM
Transmission 6-speed manual
Redline 8,400 RPM
Drag Coefficient 0.39
0-60 MPH 3.8 seconds
0-100 MPH 6.9 seconds
1/4 mile 11.1 seconds @ 133.4 MPH
Top speed 205 MPH

Prices

Competition

Conclusion

Porsche did however produce one unit, and showed it at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue being provided by the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to make use of the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig.

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Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, shipping the units with an MSRP of $440,000 USD. Originally, a production run of 1,500 cars was slated, But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT into 2006, reducing the total production estimate to 1,250 units. 340 Carrera GTs were sold in the United States in 2005.