'Porsche supercar displayed at Porsche showroom before launch'
AutoFocus
There were a lot of talk about the Carrera GT been spotted in town. The Porsche showroom was being built at Peddar Road and even the Performance Show was coming close. Some suggested that the car was brought down for display purposes. I was heading towards Worli, so I thought I'll just take a ride towards Peddar Road and check if its really a Carrera GT. Got down of the flyover and glanced at the showroom and I was stumped. Some guys were actually pushing a red supercar inside. I instantly recognized it. It was indeed the Porsche Carrera GT.
With too much enthusiasm, parked the bike at the showroom where some were clicking snaps and other just glanced at the car. The best part was just beside the Porsche showroom is a Maruti Suzuki showroom. And all of the sales people in there were looking at the car in amazement. That was a sight to see.
Wikipedia.org
The Carrera GT is powered by an all-new 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 DIN (605 SAE) horsepower (450 kW) whereas the original concept car featured a 5.5 litre version rated at 558 hp (416 kW). Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), although road tests indicated that in reality the car could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds. 0-125 mph in 9.9. The Carrera GT has a basic 5 color paint schemes which include: Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver and Seal Grey. Custom colors were also available from the factory. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is the only available transmission, in contrast to its rival the Enzo Ferrari which is only offered with a computer actuated paddle shifted manual gearbox. Attached to this gearbox is a birch/ash gearknob which pays homage to the wooden gearknob used in the Porsche 917 Le Mans racers.
The Carrera GT has large side inlets and air dams that help cool the large V-10 framed by the carbon fiber rear hood. Fitted with Porsche's latest brake system, the 15 inch ceramic pad brakes make a stunning appearance underneath the 19 inch front and 20 inch rear tires. Similar to other Porsche Models, such as the 911, the GT includes an automated rear wing spoiler which deploys above 70 mph.
The interior is fitted with soft leather. BOSE audio system and navigation systems are available as options. In typical Porsche fashion, the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel. This placement dates back to the early days of Le Mans racing when drivers were required to make a running start, hop into their cars, start them and begin the race. The placement of the ignition enabled the driver to start the car with his left hand and put it in gear with his right.
Technology of note includes a pure carbon fiber monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The carbon fiber monocoque and subframe were produced and assembled by ATR Composites Group of Italy. The Carrera GT radiator is about five times the size of a 911 turbo's. Unlike some of its rivals, the Carrera GT does not feature dynamic stability control, but it does have traction control. Porsche claims that over 75 technology patents have been filed from development of the Carrera GT.
Pictures and Text by AutoFocus
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