2004 Porsche Carrera GT - Is There a Better Sports Car on the Planet?
What? You still haven't gotten over Porsche building an SUV? Look at it this way. Not only is the world getting the best 'sport' utility ever but the funds generated have gone towards producing one of the globe's most impressive supercars.
Enter the Carrera GT. At first glance it's hard to tell that the beautifully detailed mid-engine roadster derives its roots from motorsport. But that said all of Porsche's technologies have a history in one form of competition or another. From recently winning overall in Sebring to its many class victories in Le Mans it's safe to say the Stuttgart-based company knows a thing or two about building sports cars.
The GT's dry-sump lubricated 5.7-L V10 comes somewhat modified for road use from a naturally-aspirated 5.5-L race engine. Its 612 maximum horsepower developed at a soaring 8,000 rpm is otherworldly considering the car's 1,380 kg (3,042 lb) welter-weight and compact size. Comparatively Lamborghini's somewhat milder 571-hp 6.2-L V12 powered Murciélago needs to move a much heavier 1,655 kg (3,650 lbs). While both manufacturers claim a 3.9-second 0 to 100 km/h sprint my guess is that Porsche is being conservative, as usual.