Tuesday 17th September 2013

Porsche Carrera GT: Spotted

What would the 918 Spyder be like without the hybrid gizmos? Slower, perhaps, but still rather lovely

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So after lapping the Nordschleife in less than seven minutes, there's been a fair bit of excited chatter round these parts about the Porsche 918 Spyder. It has perhaps served to allay a few of those nagging doubts about the potential of a hybrid 1,640kg Porsche.

jkjl

But then it's not a situation unfamiliar to Porsche's hypercars. When the Carrera GT was launched a decade ago, there were quite widespread criticisms about its tricky ceramic clutch, unforgiving on the limit handling and generally quite uncompromising nature.

And today? It's revered as a bastion of the analogue supercar, where those flaws have become unique traits and values reflect the high esteem in which it's held. You only have to look at how much less a Mercedes SLR McLaren can be purchased for compared to a CGT for proof of this.

Actually, that appraisal isn't entirely accurate. A new compound of Michelin Pilot Super Sport specifically for the GT has reputedly made the handling rather less savage, and the clutches on later cars are easier to modulate. You can even get it rolling without any throttle to avoid the awkward balancing act.

See here for 'driver-focused interior'

Then of course the Carrera GT's stand-out feature can be enjoyed; that glorious Le Mans-derived 5.7-litre V10. The 918's V8 is undeniably wonderful, making 580hp at 8,500rpm from 4.6-litres, but there's always a sense of it being sullied by the presence of the electric motors. To echo Mr Harris, you can't help but wonder what a 918 Spyder with just that engine and less weight (an R perhaps?) would be like.

But then a CGT isn't too far from that, remember. It makes 620hp at 8,000rpm and a 1,380kg kerbweight, figures comparable to the 458 Speciale. With a manual. This sort of spec will probably keep values up as the analogue supercar age become replaced by hybrid hypercars. Although the GT was fairly old school even at launch; the Enzo had already introduced a plethora of steering wheel buttons and a paddleshift-only gearbox.

Speaking of values, Carrera GTs refuse to budge from the c. £300K, not much less than new. This black GT warrants its high price by dint of its low miles (4,100) and late production date (2006). Even with the arrival of the 918, we suspect cars like this will be in demand for a while yet.

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PORSCHE CARRERA GT
Engine: 5,733cc V10
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 620@8,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 435@5,750rpm
MPG: 16
CO2: 432g/km
Price new: £330,000
Yours for: £332,750

See the original advert here

 

[myhandle]

Very nice!

What does "jkjl" as a photo caption mean?

[Krikkit]

What a lovely thing. Are they really that tricky on the limit? Presumably beyond mere mortals to tame?

Definitely up near the top of my lottery list.

[pSyCoSiS]

One of the all-time great Porsches.

Iconic machine and a sublime soundtrack to match....

[gumsie]

I like these. I can't help thinking that most of the people who buy them don't enjoy them. I men how can they with that few mile on 'em?

[Jurgen]

One of those cars that took a while for me to appreciate it. When it came out I loved the Enzo more, but nowadays I think this is one of the best (super)cars ever made. Legendary sounding engine, fantastic looks and the sharp (tricky) handling means it's a true drivers car. Love it!

[dylan39]

I still can't quite get over seeing one in the depths of Bulgaria being driven by the police. Supposedly a bribe from the Bulgarian Mafia. Shame they don't have the roads to enjoy it. Didn't stop me getting a ticket for 110 in rented X90!

[CliveM]

dylan39 said:

I still can't quite get over seeing one in the depths of Bulgaria being driven by the police. Supposedly a bribe from the Bulgarian Mafia. Shame they don't have the roads to enjoy it. Didn't stop me getting a ticket for 110 in rented X90!

Really??!?

[SWoll]

Without a doubt my favourite of all of the hypercars and the best exhaust note ever IMHO. Something about a V10 that ticks all the boxes for me.

Such a 'pure' car. Couldn't care less how fast it is around the ring etc., although apparently the handling is transformed with more modern rubber.

Love it. (although not keen on the interior of this example)

[Tuvra]

Adore these cars. Would be the first of 3 cars bought following a Euro Millions win followed by an Enzo & Aventador

I'd struggle to pick a color mind, massively, probably going for a standard silver on silver or a slightly different black on black car via the aftermarket wheel route:

[Captainawesome]

I bought my first M3 from Jez at BHP. Very nice guy, in fact probably the best salesman I have dealt with. I remember drooling over this when I was there. I believe it used to belong to Liam from the Prodigy. Absolutely beautiful car. They have an insane collection of cars at BHP.

Love this car. Me wanty.

[Bonefish Blues]

I think this would be the one.

[SWoll]

Captainawesome said:

I bought my first M3 from Jez at BHP. Very nice guy, in fact probably the best salesman I have dealt with. I remember drooling over this when I was there. I believe it used to belong to Liam from the Prodigy. Absolutely beautiful car. They have an insane collection of cars at BHP.

Love this car. Me wanty.

Old PH thread about the car. You can work out for yourself who 'Master H' might be...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I'd have this one personally.




http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 17th September 11:09

[blasos]

Pistonheads said:

The 918's V8 is undeniably wonderful, making 580hp at 8,500rpm from 4.6-litres...

It produces 608hp.

[Schermerhorn]

I've never been a fan of these. I've always thought of them as a 'Boxster on steroids'.

They do sound epic though and go like stink in the right hands.

[Rawwr]

A car that looks awkward in photos but sexy in the flesh.

[Dusty964]

Fantastic car. Amazing sound. Very top of my wish list

[soad]

Is it true that they were thinking of using a turbocharged flat-6 engine?
Initially, that is.

[jon-]

Tuvra said:

Adore these cars. Would be the first of 3 cars bought following a Euro Millions win followed by an Enzo & Aventador

I'd struggle to pick a color mind, massively, probably going for a standard silver on silver or a slightly different black on black car via the aftermarket wheel route:

I've never agreed with anyone as much as I agree with you now.

[isaldiri]

The CGT is a smashing car.. the last of it's type (ie the analogue supercar) that will ever be made in all probability. The build quality of the car is IMO unbelieveably good (vastly superior to say an Enzo for example) and the driving experience is truly special. Porsche were absolutely not kidding when they stated the design brief of the cgt to provide 'the ultimate racecar experience for the road'. Have heard it described as the supercar gt3rs but I would put it more like a gt3rs on crack to be honest after being lucky enough to have driven one a few months ago for quite a number miles....

[smilo996]

A much better looking car than the 918. A Porsche like the 928 where Porsche mmade an effort to build something innovative and differnt to a 911.