A few months ago, Porsche initiated a recall campaign for the Carrera GT, developing new titanium suspension components and offering a set of newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires free of charge to all owners.
Sport Auto recently got their hands on one of these yellow Carrera GTs fitted with these tires and set out to break a lap record at the Nurburgring.
With Porsche factory driver Jörg Bergmeister behind the wheel, the Carrera GT completed the 20.6-km Nordschleife loop in 7:12.69. To put this into perspective, this is 16 seconds faster than the previous best lap time set by a Carrera GT at this track back in 2004, driven by the legendary Walter Rohrl.
Equally impressive is the fact that it is only 15 seconds slower than the Porsche 918 Spyder, the first production car to achieve the sub-7-minute mythic mark.
Despite being over 20 years old, the Carrera GT still exhibits remarkable stability on the track. The new Michelin tires provided excellent grip, and Bergmeister was able to professionally minimize understeer and oversteer throughout the lap.
The Carrera GT also lacks the aggressive aerodynamic aids of most modern supercars, delivering power solely to the rear wheels and being offered exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. As it sped down the main straight of the track, the Carrera GT clocked a top speed of 302 km/h.
Tire technology has advanced significantly since the Carrera GT first hit the market, and it’s notable that it’s been 11 years since the 918 Spyder set the ‘Ring’ record. Had it been fitted with the latest tires, it might have clocked a time far quicker than 6:57. Nonetheless, it’s remarkable that the Carrera GT isn’t far off the pace of its much more powerful and advanced successor.
The Ultimate Porsche Carrera GT: A Legend Still Turning Heads.
The world of tire technology has come a long way in the past two decades, and it continues to make a significant difference on the racetrack. This was evident when the Porsche Carrera GT, a car produced over 20 years ago, recently set an impressive record thanks to a set of specially-made tires.
Unveiling the Ultimate: RML Group Releases First Look at Their Exclusive P39 40th Special Edition Supercar, Limited to Just 10 Units
Based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S 992.1, RML Group has crafted a masterpiece, the P39 40th Special Edition. This limited-edition creation is an exclusive offering, with only 10 vehicles available worldwide.
The Ultimate Porsche 911 GT3 992: “Qua” Vu’s Dynamic Duo Gets an Upgrade This Week
The Porsche 911 GT3 992.2 is an exhilarating prospect for automotive enthusiasts. With a focus on enhancing an already exceptional car, the 992.2 model will feature a host of exciting refinements. From exterior and interior tweaks to potential power increases akin to the 911 GT3 RS, this vehicle promises to be a thrilling drive. Prepare for an immersive experience that surpasses the ordinary and takes the 911 GT3 to new heights of performance and style.
Porsche Carrera GT Gets New Tires After 20 Years: Faster, Safer, but Is the Safety Scandal Over?
The Porsche Carrera GT has been involved in numerous accidents, striking fear into those who drove it. Even those involved in its development and professional racers considered it the “most dangerous car on the market.”
The Prancing Horse’s Rare Sighting: A Ferrari 575M Maranello Graces the Streets of Ho Chi Minh City
A mere 2,056 Ferrari 575M Maranello cars were ever crafted, with only 246 featuring manual transmissions. So, it’s no surprise that having one of these rare beauties at the 2024 Gumball 3000 rally has sparked immense interest and excitement.
