Marsien GT takes Gemballa hypercar to the street
Marc Philipp Gemballa did its off-road hypercar first - now here's the road version
From RML GT Hypercar to Tuthill GT One, Guntherwerks to Singer Vehicle Design, those who want to spend a small (or a large) fortune on a rear-engined Porsche right now don’t want for choice. Now there’s another: following on from the rally raid homage Marsien, Marc-Philipp Gemballa now has this, the Marsien GT.
Intended as a more road-focused take on the Marsien recipe, the GT ‘transforms its distinctive character into a pure grand touring concept, designed for enhanced road performance, dynamic precision driving and everyday usability.’ Not that any of the performance established first time around is being sacrificed: this is still powered by a Ruf-honed, 830hp version of the flat-six from a 992 Turbo - including new ‘chargers. With more than 900hp optional for those unsatisfied with Ruf’s original work. The GT is claimed to reach 62mph in 2.4 seconds, and a top speed of 205mph, yet the most interesting bit of the powertrain might be the custom Akrapovic exhaust; turbocharged 911s always want for a bit of aural drama, though here we’re promised a ‘distinct visual and acoustic signature.’
With remit altered from Marsien to GT, so the chassis has required a rethink as well. While KW is again responsible for the suspension, this Marc-Philipp Gemball project benefits from the latest DDC V5 dampers, which can adjust compression and rebound force in just 20 milliseconds. The claim is of a car that ‘provides the precise control and immediate response required, while retaining the ride comfort expected of a GT.’ Truth be told, a plain old Turbo S never really suffered in that regard, its grand touring credentials more compromised by the tyre noise. Running Cup 2 Michelins on forged wheels doesn’t necessarily bode well for cabin refinement. But anyone buying one of the 30 GTs probably has an actual continent crusher to call on as well.
Because let’s be frank: those after the latest Marc-Philipp Gemballa supercar will want it because of the design. Clearly familiar from the Marsien that came before (and with the 959 influence plain to see), the carbon rebody of a Turbo is said to comprise 100 individual bits, including the underside - and save 75kg. Certainly those who find a 911 Turbo a little too demure might find the GT more to their liking. From here it looks spectacular, every inch the boutique road-going racer. The Anniversary Liquid Champagne Gold paint here has been created as a nod to Uwe Gemballa, in what would have been his 70th year.
There’s more than just the extraordinary look and phenomenal powertrain to mark the GT out from the donor car, too, as the Marsien boasts ‘several specifically designed elements.’ Note the PDK selector that’s now a Carrera GT-inspired item, the metal production number plaque, and a few accents in the Anniversary Liquid Champagne. Customisation is of course king when it comes to limited-run exotica, too, so those who want can have their Marsien with a roll cage, even more carbon, acres of Alcantara… you get the idea.
Marc-Philipp Gemballa will build just 30 of these GTs, which will take the total number of Marsiens up to 70 - another nod to Gemballa Senior. Following the global debut as part of Monterey Car Week, production will commence soon ahead of first deliveries at the end of next year. The price? Well, it’s €770,000 (£660k), before any taxes or options. Or a donor car - and a 992 Turbo isn’t less than £120k. Still, no surprises there.
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