Performance Review: Porsche Carrera GT - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Carrera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Carrera GT is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Porsche Carrera has a 5733cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The Carrera shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Carrera's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1380 kgs (3042 lbs) this makes the Porsche Carrera GT in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Carrera shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5733cc 40V V10 engine produces 611 bhp (455 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 435 lb-ft (589.7 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche Carrera you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (467.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Carrera.

The Porsche Carrera has a Power to weight ratio of 442.7 bhp per ton and 315.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Carrera competing with the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (467.1 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Ferrari Sergio 4.5 V8 Roadster (466.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche Carrera generating around 315.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2001 Radical SR3 1.5 16V (339.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 8.3 V10 (339.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Porsche Carrera GT as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Porsche Carrera GT is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Carrera and the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Carrera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.74 secs @ 127.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo (10.71 secs), the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 (10.72 secs), and the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 (10.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Porsche Carrera GT has a maximum speed of 205mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Carrera equals the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Porsche Carrera GT then how about the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph), the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph), or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (217 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Carrera Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison