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Porsche Carrera GT
My Favourite car is a: Porsche Carrera GT
The Carrera GT was originally conceived at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As Porsche secured its sixteenth outright victory in June 1998, the idea was proposed of a road-going sports car based exclusively on racing technology. Two years later, in the autumn of 2000, that concept began to take shape.
As a pure encapsulation of Porsche engineering, the Carrera GT is a natural evolution based on more than 23,000 race victories. A road-going supercar built for uncompromising performance and unlimited driving pleasure.
That pleasure begins as you unlock the door with a squeeze of the key remote. Step inside and you'll find an elegant composition of interior materials, including carbon fibre, leather and magnesium. Turn the key and the powerful V10 eagerly springs into life.
The vigorous acoustics are an exhilarating prelude to what is an unforgettable driving experience. Blip the throttle, and the engine resonates with the rush of incoming air. The resulting sound is straight from the racetrack, only this time you can drive it on the road.
Power is delivered with explosive prowess, yielding equal measures of agility and precision with effortless energy and control. Acceleration through corners is accomplished with ease and barely a trace of body roll. The lightweight chassis combines with a low centre of gravity and balanced weight distribution to achieve unprecedented cornering speeds.
With such uncompromising performance, the Carrera GT is a genuine racing machine. With its cultured refinement and all-round versatility, it's a truly powerful presence on the road.
PERFORMANCE:
The Carrera GT is a totally new development based on Porsche racing design. As such, it carries all the familiar hallmarks of Porsche motorsport and our relentless passion for performance.
One of the most uncompromising vehicles ever created for the road, this latest generation of Porsche offers breathtaking performance in every respect. From a standing start, it reaches 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 9.9 seconds en route to a top track speed of more than 186 mph (300 km/h).
To achieve that performance, we've applied a powerful V10 engine - developing 605 hp (SAE) - to an unladen weight of just 3,042 lbs (1,380 kg).
Every last component in each area of the car has been custom-engineered for optimum performance. The result is a masterpiece of lightweight construction with an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. The main chassis structure is made from aerospace-grade composites, including carbon-fibre sandwich construction with a high-strength honeycomb core. These state-of-the-art materials combine major weight savings with intense structural rigidity to achieve exceptional performance and handling characteristics with exemplary safety reserves.
At the heart of the car, the mid-mounted V10 is mounted deep in the chassis to create an extremely low centre of gravity. With less susceptibility to lateral g-forces, the car remains flat, consistent and inherently balanced through even the fastest racing bends.
By placing the engine and aluminium fuel tank directly behind the cockpit, it was possible to achieve a more even distribution of vehicle weight - one of the essential prerequisites for the car's superior dynamics.
With such a total commitment to racing performance, there was only ever one layout option: an open-top two-seater with two-piece detachable hardtop.
Surrounded by so much power and agility, this classic configuration places you and your passenger at the heart of a truly exhilarating drive.
AIR INTAKE SYSTEM
At the head of the engine, the twin-flow manifold system supplies a separate flow of air to each of the cylinder banks. To do that, the manifold is equipped with two separate throttle tracts as well as separate air filters with Helmholtz resonators. The resulting vibration of the incoming air is one of the key ingredients in the characteristic sound of the new Carrera GT.
This is another evocative reminder of the car's genuine racing origins.
ENGINE MANAGEMENT
For optimum performance in all load conditions, the engine is managed by twin Motronic ME7.1.1 control units, one for each of the two banks of cylinders. Specially adapted for the Carrera GT, the system incorporates a comprehensive range of management functions, including on-board diagnostics, electronic throttle, air-flow metering via a hot-film air-mass sensor, and stereo lambda control. Key benefits of the twin-unit system include accurate implementation of all throttle inputs and, of course, consistent emissions control.
As a result, the Carrera GT complies not only with the stringent Euro 4 emissions standard, but also with the LEV regulations in the United States.
OIL SUPPLY
One of the most important requirements of any racing engine is, of course, proper lubrication of all moving parts. On the Carrera GT, we've applied race engineering to achieve unparalleled performance in all road scenarios. Oil is circulated through a series of ten pumps, nine of which 'scavenge' the oil back from the engine. This 'dry sump' configuration ensures consistent lubrication, even under the extreme lateral loads possible in the Carrera GT. The external oil reservoir is incorporated into the gearbox casing, where it uses an integrated air separator to defoam the oil. A dedicated oil cooler is also provided to help limit engine temperatures.
TRANSMISSION
An engine as powerful as the new V10 in the Carrera GT demands an equally exceptional transmission.
In order to cope with the prodigious levels of power and torque, we've developed a new clutch technology never before featured on a standard production car: the Porsche Ceramic Composite Clutch (PCCC).
Essentially a two-plate dry clutch, PCCC™ offers unprecedented power density and a rotating mass approximately 10 times lighter than on a conventional clutch. The result is a more immediate throttle response and a reduction in synchromesh load. Pedal weight and travel are specially configured for a more intuitive and comfortable drive.
Inside the clutch, the hydraulically actuated plates are made from a ceramic composite material offering exceptional durability. Thanks to the modest plate diameter of 6.65 inches (169 mm), the system requires a much smaller clutch housing than conventional designs.
This in turn enables the crankshaft and drivetrain to be positioned much lower in the car, with obvious benefits in terms of driving dynamics.
Power is transmitted to the driven rear wheels through a racing-specification, six-speed manual gearbox followed by a multi-plate differential with locking under power and on overrun. Engine and gearbox are linked by a single-mass flywheel, which, thanks to its much lighter rotational mass compared with a dual-mass flywheel, adds to the immediacy of the throttle response.
The damping effect of a dual-mass flywheel - its primary advantage over a single-mass design - is cleverly replicated using a specially developed system of gearbox shafts. Operating on the same principle as a torsion spring, each shaft is fitted with a bevel gear system whose rotating mass helps dampen vibration in the driveline.
In order to achieve the lowest possible centre of gravity close to the rear axle, the new six-speed gearbox is designed as an extremely compact unit with a transverse layout in the car. Key characteristics include precision gear selection, exceptional durability and a ratio spread configured for optimum acceleration.
The external transmission linkage provides a smooth gearshift action, while the twin push-pull cables help eliminate vibration and noise.
A perfect example of our integrated approach to race engineering, the new gearbox unit serves as a convenient location for the starter motor, differential and engine oil reservoir, as well as the PCCC ceramic clutch system.
STEERING
The steering system on the new Carrera GT is based on proven rack-and-pinion technology.
The steering gear is accommodated ahead of the main monocoque structure, where it is rigidly mounted to the bulkhead. Hydraulically assisted for a more comfortable drive, the system offers a direct response to driver inputs as well as detailed feedback from tyres and road. A high-capacity pump supplies the requisite hydraulic pressure for even the most rapid steering inputs.
The safety steering column is also mounted directly on the monocoque to help dampen vibration and noise. Inside the cockpit, the three-spoke leather steering wheel features 1.57 inches (40 mm) of manual reach adjustment as well as a full-size airbag module.
WHEELS
Step outside and the car's uncompromising racing origins are powerfully reflected in the all-new five-spoke Carrera GT wheels. Measuring 19 inches at the front and a full 20 inches at the rear, these ultra-lightweight wheels are made from forged magnesium rather than more conventional aluminium alloy.
State-of-the-art technology in Formula One, forged magnesium represents a major step forward in reducing unsprung weight. By limiting wheel momentum as the suspension compresses and rebounds, it is possible to maintain greater contact between road and tyre and thus maximise traction under acceleration, cornering and braking. Another important benefit is the added structural density - and therefore durability - that is imparted by the forging process.
The wheels are mounted using a centre-lock system with a single multi-point nut. This race-derived solution is combined with a high-strength hub and large-format bearings to achieve a more accurate wheel location.
As on a racing car, the left-hand wheel nuts have a right-hand thread, while those on the right have a left-hand thread. This simple solution ensures that the thread on each nut runs contrary to the primary direction of travel on all four wheels. As a result, the rotation of each wheel tends to tighten the nut, rather than working it loose. For added security, each of the four nuts has a specially developed retention system. Grip is supplied in the form of high-speed Michelin tyres with an extremely generous rolling circumference. Compound and tread are specially designed to ensure shorter braking distances and consistent handling, particularly in wet conditions. The tyre dimensions reflect the performance of the car, measuring 265/35 ZR 19 at the front and 335/30 ZR 20 at the rear.
All four tyres are equipped with an integrated tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which issues an automated warning in the event of any drop in pressure. This practical solution can prove particularly valuable during high-speed racetrack use. If a deflation is detected, the puncture can be sealed using the on-board tyre repair kit. Comprised of sealant, a compressor and a tyre-pressure gauge, this compact kit helps to lighten the car by eliminating the need for a conventional spare wheel.
DESIGN
The distinctive design of the Carrera GT presents race engineering in an elegant package that is uniquely and unmistakably Porsche.
With its imposing exterior and dominant rear wing, the car is instantly recognisable from every angle and a powerful presence on the road. At the front, the headlights pay sweeping homage to the legendary Porsche 917 - our first outright winner at Le Mans. Other distinctive features include the aerodynamically sculpted exterior mirrors and LED indicator modules.
Together, these elements combine past and present in a whole new application of Porsche design.
Among the more familiar Porsche features are the generous front inlets, the flowing wing contours, and the very assertive angle of the nose.
The flanks are dominated by the prominent air outlets ahead of each door and the engine intakes to the rear. This elegant solution provides an adequate flow of air to the radiators in the nose, ensuring optimum cooling in all operating conditions.
At the rear of the car, the integrated wing is combined with an underbody diffuser featuring vertical fins. The resulting tail section generates ground-effects downforce with only minimal additional drag.
As you can see, the Carrera GT delivers form dictated by function. When that function is pure and rigorously pursued, the form is inevitably refined.
CHASSIS
The monocoque-based chassis on the new Carrera GT combines materials and know-how from the highest levels of international motorsport with the latest in aerospace technology.
The main chassis structure - monocoque, windscreen surround and supplemental safety system - is made from carbon-fibre composites with a honeycomb core. The technologies involved are state-of-the-art in Formula One and offer exceptional flexural and torsional strength.
To the rear of the monocoque is a highly robust yet lightweight carbon-fibre structure which supports the engine and gearbox unit. This structure - known as the engine carrier - is bolted to the monocoque with which it forms the main stressed members on the car. The resulting chassis is extremely light, yet considerably stronger than the pressed metal shell on a conventional car.
As the main structural members, the monocoque and engine carrier provide the mounting points for the suspension as well as the underlying structure for the external bodywork and cockpit assemblies. They are also designed to absorb impact energy in the event of a crash from the front and rear deformation zones. As the name implies, the engine carrier structure supports the entire powertrain assembly. Specially developed and patented by Porsche, this unique combination of monocoque and engine carrier offers a level of structural integrity that is not only exceptional on an open-top car, but also on a par with dedicated competition vehicles.
Like the majority of modern racing cars, the external bodywork on the Carrera GT is bolted to the underlying chassis structure. In contrast to a conventional road car, the external panels are completely unstressed and have a primarily aerodynamic and aesthetic function.
The race-car construction extends to the front and rear sections, which are bolted to the carbon-fibre chassis. The longitudinal layout of the engine, together with its low-slung position at the centre of the car, creates a deep centre of gravity to the rear of the cockpit. Generally regarded as the ideal configuration for racing use, this concentrated mass at the centre of the car helps maximise control in all road situations, particularly in high-speed corners.
The fuel tank is also located directly behind the cockpit, where it consolidates the dynamics of the car. Apart from enhancing the overall balance, this race-proven layout prevents gradual changes in individual wheel loads as the fuel in the tank is consumed.
With these and other intelligent design solutions, the Carrera GT chassis provides the ideal platform for genuine supercar performance.
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