At a Glance

T E S T

2004 Porsche

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., 980 Hammond Dr., Suite 100, Atlanta, Ga. 30328; www.porsche.com
Price as tested incl std equip. (ABS, dual front airbags, traction control, limited-slip rear differential, tire-pressure monitoring, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD Bose stereo with navigation, removable roof panels, carbon-ber and magnesium trim, leather upholstery, carbon-ber sport seats, tilt & telescope steering wheel; pwr windows, mirrors and door locks), gas-guzzler tax ($5400), air freight delivery and dest charge ($15,000).

Carrera GT

List Price: $440,000 Price as Tested: $460,400
0-60 mph 0- 14 mile Top speed Skidpad Slalom Brake rating
3.6 sec 11.3 sec est 205 mph 0.99g 71.1 mph very good
HACHETTE FILIPACCHI MEDIA U.S., INC./ROAD & TRACK

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Type.aluminum block & heads, V-10 Valvetrain.dohc 4-valve/cyl Displacement.350 cu in./5733 cc Bore x stroke.3.86 x 2.99 in./ 98.0 x 76.0 mm Compression ratio.12.0:1 Horsepower (SAE).605 bhp @ 8000 rpm Bhp/liter.105.5 Torque.435 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm Redline.8400 rpm Fuel injection.elect. sequential port Fuel.premium unleaded, 91 pump octane

Chassis & Body

Layout.mid engine/rear drive Body/frame.carbon ber/carbon ber, sandwich alum. honeycomb monocoque Brakes: Front.15.0-in. vented discs Rear.15.0-in. vented discs Assist type.hydraulic, ABS Total swept area.785 sq in. Swept area/ton.est 423 sq in. Wheels.forged magnesium; 19 x 912J f, 20 x 1212J r Tires.Michelin Pilot Sport 2; 265/35ZR-19 94Y f, 335/30ZR-20 104Y r Steering.rack & pinion, pwr asst Overall ratio.15.7:1 Turns, lock to lock.2.6 Turning circle.42.3 ft Suspension Front: upper & lower A-arms, pushrods, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar Rear: upper & lower A-arms, pushrods, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar

General Data

Curb weight.est 3530 lb Test weight.est 3710 lb Weight dist (with driver), f/r, %.42/58 Wheelbase.107.5 in. Track, f/r.63.5 in./62.5 in. Length.181.6 in. Width.75.6 in. Height.45.9 in. Ground clearance.3.3 in. Trunk space.1.0 cu ft (with hardtop on car)

Drivetrain

Transmission: 6-speed manual Gear Ratio Overall ratio (Rpm) Mph 1st 3.20:1 14.21:1 (8400) 49 2nd 1.87:1 8.30:1 (8400) 84 3rd 1.36:1 6.04:1 (8400) 116 4th 1.07:1 4.75:1 (8400) 147 5th 0.90:1 4.00:1 (8400) 173 6th 0.75:1 3.33:1est(8200) est 205 Final drive ratio...4.44:1 Engine rpm @ 60 mph in top gear..2400

Instrumentation

380-km/h (236-mph) speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer, oil & coolant temp, oil pressure, fuel level, driver-selectable LCD (transmission oil temp, tire pressure, etc.)

Accommodations

Seating capacity.2 Head room.37.5 in. Seat width.2 x 15.5 in. Leg room.45.5 in. Seatback adjustment.30 deg Seat travel.7.0 in.

Warranty

Basic warranty.4 years/50,000 miles Powertrain.4 years/50,000 miles Rust-through.10 years/unlimited miles

Safety

dual airbags anti-lock braking traction control (all standard equip.)

PERFORMANCE

Acceleration
Time to speed Seconds 030 mph.1.mph.2.mph.3.mph.3.mph.4.mph.4.mph.6.mph.7.0 Time to distance 0100 ft.2.ft.6.ft.8.ft (14 mile).11.3 @ 131.6 mph

Braking

Minimum stopping distance From 60 mph.124 ft From 80 mph.199 ft Control.excellent Brake feel.very good Overall brake rating.very good
Subjective ratings consist of excellent, very good, good, average, poor; na means information is not available.
2004 PORSCHE CARRERA GT mile: 11.3 sec. @ 131.6 mph 2003 FERRARI ENZO mile: 11.1 sec. @ 133.0 mph 1997 AMERITECH McLAREN F1 mile: 11.6 sec. @ 125.0 mph 0 SEC 25 30

Handling

Lateral acceleration (200-ft skidpad).0.99g Balance.moderate understeer Speed through 700-ft slalom.71.1 mph Balance.mild understeer Lateral seat support.excellent

MPH 10

Fuel Economy
Our driving.est 11.0 mpg EPA city/highway.10/16 mpg Cruise range.est 256 miles Fuel capacity.24.3 gal.

Interior Noise

Idle in neutral.61 dBA Maximum in 1st gear.90 dBA Constant 50 mph.75 dBA 70 mph.77 dBA

Test Notes:

Best standing-start launches for the Carrera GT are accomplished with the traction control left on. Dropping the clutch while holding the engine at 3000 rpm still induces abundant wheelspin despite computer intervention. During these runs, the short-throw shifter engages precisely and quickly. In our panic stops, brake-pedal effort is moderate, and the deceleration is smooth and linear. Through the slalom, the Carrera GT exhibits good balance and mild understeer.

Test Conditions:

Temperature Humidity Elevation Wind