Citric Boost for Porsche Carrera GT

By Feann Torr - 24/Aug/2006

Leonberg, Germany — It's big, it's orange, it's a limited run 10-cylinder Porsche sports car and best of all it's been fettled to go faster.

How fast? Probably about 350km/h - give or take - depending on the road quality, ambient air temperature, wind direction and altitude. 

Yep, this automotive wet dream is not the kind of thing that everyone will be able to afford - in fact TechArt will probably only modify one or two of these show ponies per year - but how could we ignore such a stunning Porsche?

Before the German spanner men at TechArt even get to pop the bonnet on the 5.7-litre V10-powered Carrera GT, it should be mentioned that the car is already one of the world's fastest and most exclusive sports car.

Initial production of just 1,500 of these manic Porsches was planned when the car went on sale in 2004, for a price that undercut the Ferrari Enzo (another limited run Euro super car). But in August 2005 Porsche announced that it would cut its quota to 1,250 cars, and the car ceased production on May the 6th, 2006.

Actually finding one of these exotic Porsches so that TechArt can add its bright orange paintwork may be an arduous task in and of itself, but if you do - and also come to the conclusion that the standard 450kW @ 8000rpm isn't enough shunt - you should really give TechArt a call.

Before we get to the visual and aero changes, Leonberg-based TechArt left the chassis relatively untouched, but couldn't hold back from prying open the 8400rpm rev-limited 5.7-litre V10 engine and trying to liberate a few more kilowatts. The German tuner managed to do this by modifying the intake system allowing it to gulp down larger quantities of air, and also upgraded the exhaust system, fitting it's own stainless-steel exhaust system to improve both engine acoustics and power.

TechArt explains that it can retain the Porsche end pipes for aesthetics, and that the intake and exhaust mods boost the engine's already considerable power of 450kW (612hp) to 467kW (635hp). That serious mumbo. Bear in mind that the Porsche Carrera GT is a rear wheel drive vehicle that, unlike the Enzo, is only offered with a 6-speed manual, and before the hike in engine power courtesy of TechArt, could race to 100km/h from standstill in 3.9 seconds. No wonder Tiger Woods and Thierry Henry both own one, as there are very few vehicles that are genuinely quicker off the line than the mid-engined Porker. Some of its rivals, such as the Koenigsegg CCX and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren are as quick, but with TechArt's recent modifications, it's likely to turn the tables in the Porsche's favour.

With a top speed of 340km/h in stock form, the TechArt tweaks are expected to improve this to perhaps 350km/h, mostly by improving aerodynamics. Like all good German tuning houses, the company has developed its own "aerodynamically efficient custom-tailored body components". These components comprise of a newly sculpted upper front apron (with a new air dam), paired with a low slung spoiler lip that looks race car tough, and also improvesdownforce over the front axle and "directional stability".

TechArt also adds a 3-piece gurney flap to the rear spoiler that, like the front lip spoiler, improves downforce over the rear axle. And best of all, the aerodynamic extras have an exposed carbon fibre finish, which contrasts with the eye-melting metallic orange paint job. As well as the custom paint work that screams out 'look at me' (followed by 'steal me'), the 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels have been given the citrus look as well, and the result is stunning. TechArt also tizzies up the interior with a new steering wheel and gear shifter finished with carbon fibre, and it can upholster the seats with a range of coloured leather.

It's expensive, it's in-your-face, it's got no luggage space, pitiful fuel economy and rides roughly over anything but mirror-finished race track asphalt. Yet it's still undeniably desirable...

I'm a big fan of bold paint jobs and the electric orange colour brings out the GT's curvaceous line brilliantly, and anyone with a penchant for performance will appreciate the 467kW engine that piledrives the car from 0-100km/h in less than 4.0 seconds flat. It smashes the 0-160km/h dash in 6.8 seconds and can be had for about the price of a three bedroom house on the beach.