Porsche Carrera GT - Storyboards

The 1975 Porsche 930 Turbo is the original Widowmaker

The 930's turbocharged flat-six developed up to 326 hp and 317 lb-ft, but it suffered from turbo lag

The turbo-engine overpowered the chassis, surprising many uninitiated drivers

But beyond the 930 Turbo, here's why the following 6 Porsche models can also be labeled as widowmakers

1. In 1965, Porsche entered the 904/8 Bergspyder in Targa Florio and secured second place

However, the ultra-light, flat-eight race car featured a very firm suspension, making it jump. They called it the Kangaroo

2. Early 911s were considered balanced cars, but they still had a dark side

Lack of chassis rigidity on the road cars and a rear-mounted engine was a recipe for the so-called pendulum effect

3. The 993 GT2 is the first and only air-cooled 911 GT2

Like all future models, the 993 GT2 was based on the Turbo, but was far less cooperative to the driver

4. The 996 GT2 was a homologation special like its predecessor

The first water-cooled 911 GT2 produced up to 483 hp and featured no traction control

5. The Porsche 997.2 GT2 RS is a modern-day widowmaker

The Turbo-based 997 GT2 RS features 612 hp, rear-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual

6. The Porsche Carrera GT is considered one of the very last analog supercars

Its motorsport-derived V-10 produced 603 hp and boasts one of the greatest engine notes

It features a six-speed manual with an intricate clutch system that was sensitive to bad drivers

Tire technology at the time couldn't keep up with the Porsche Carrera GT performance

To make matters more interesting, the Carrera GT featured not traction control system

20 years later, Porsche worked with Michelin to create new tires for the Carrera GT

The new rubber made the Carrera GT 16 seconds quicker around the Nurburgring

Swipe up to learn more about why these Porsche sports cars are dangerous and earned the reputation for being widowmakers.

Porschephile or not, the Carrera GT is one car that requires little effort to seduce

Be it the evocative soundtrack from its 600-horsepower F1-derived V-10 engine

Or the 6-speed manual with that Beachwood shifter, the CGT remains one of the German automaker's most significant models of all time

However, in the two decades that it has been around, the CGT has developed a reputation of being a modern-day widowmaker with several high-profile crashes, resulting in lawsuits

One of the most effective ways to improve safety is with tires, and Porsche roped in Michelin to develop Pilot-cup Sport 2's for the CGT

Advancements in tire technology have come a long way in the past 20 years, and Porsche has decided to offer this new rubber to CGT owners, free of cost

But what better way to demonstrate the safety and capability of fresh rubber than at the 13-mile Nürburgring

Porsche entrusted this task to Works Driver Jörg Bergmeister

These Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are a straight swap for the old Pilot Super Sports from 2013 and even the original Pilot Sport PS2s from way back when the Carrera GT first hit the scene

With the fresh rubber, Bergmeister hit the track hard, with a nice burnout

And with that, it was on to the iconic start-stop line of the Nordschleife and explore the limits of grip in an old relic

Things looked a lot more civilized on the iconic Carousel, which is a blind left-hand corner, midway through the Nürburgring

On the final stretch, Bergmeister topped out at 187 mph with the Carrera GT's brand new shoes

He set a lap time of 7:12.69 minutes, a new record

This time is 16 seconds quicker than the Carrera GT's original lap time of 7:28, set by the legendary Walter Röhrl

The two-time world rally champion and Porsche Works driver was instrumental in the development of the Porsche Carrera GT back in the early 2000s

While several modern-day 911s are quicker around the Nürburgring today, none can offer the analog visceral feel of a Carrera GT

Are you a Porsche enthusiast who dreams of owning a supercar but finds the Carrera GT's seven-figure price tag daunting?

While the mid-engined Carrera GT, with its Formula 1-derived V10 engine and status as the last analog supercar,

The latest rear-engined 992 Turbo S also packs a lot of performance, all for a fraction of the cost

Stick around as we dive into five compelling reasons why the 911 Turbo S might just be the smarter choice

1. Performance: The 992 Turbo S is Quicker than the Carrera GT

911 Turbo S | 0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds (with Sport Chrono) | Top Speed: 205 mph

Carrera GT | 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds | Top Speed: 205 mph

The official lap time for the Porsche Carrera GT at the Nürburgring is 7 minutes and 32 seconds

The Turbo S can lap the ring in 7 minutes 17 seconds | 992.2 GTS is quicker at 7:16

2. Everyday Usability: 992 Turbo S offers a lot more

Better Ergonomics | Modern-Tech Creature Comforts

Analog Touches | Manual Only

More Space | PDK Convenience

CGT Is Strictly A Two Seater

Turbo S Available As Both Coupe And Cabriolet

5 cubic-feet Vs 10 cubic-feet

Yes, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard on the Porsche 911 Turbo S

The Carrera GT has a fixed, stiffer suspension designed specifically for high-performance track driving, prioritizing handling over ride comfort

3. Rear-Axle Steering And AWD

Turbo S is nearly the same width as a CGT

Rear-axle steering comes as standard on 992 Turbo S

Year-round usability | Turbo S also features standard AWD compared to the RWD-only Carrera GT

No driver aids on the CGT | High-profile crashes

4. Maintenance & Insurance costs

Cheaper to Maintain A 911 Turbo S Compared to Carrera GT

Turbo S will set you back between $500 and $1000 depending on the intervals

Carrera GT’s clutch replacement can cost upwards of $20,000, and an oil change will set you back $3,000

Turbo S can be serviced nationwide

CGT may need to be taken to a specialist like Repasi Motorwerks to keep costs low

Parts won't be readily available and not all dealers may be qualified to work on the CGT

Turbo S Is Cheaper to Insure Compared to Carrera GT | $4,000 Vs. $5,000-$8,000

5. Steep Price, But Still Attainable

The 911 Turbo S Costs 250k, But Remains Attainable

Don’t Have to Worry About Putting Miles On A 911 Turbo S, unlike limited run CGT that could drastically affect its resale value

The average price of a 911 Turbo S hovers around $245k, whereas for the CGT it is $1.4 million.

Would you choose a 911 Turbo S over a Carrera GT?

Porsche has built some truly astonishing and historically significant models in its 75+ years of existence

Porsche Type 64 was founder, Ferdinand Porsche's vision of the perfect sports car

Despite the VW Beetle engine, it was one of the fastest cars of its day in 1939, thanks to a very low drag coefficient

The 356 was Porsche’s sports car, long before the 911

The 1,113-cc, air-cooled flat-four was a carry-over from the Type 64 and is the precursor to all other 356s and it is a true one-off car

The 1953 Porsche 550 Spyder was the brand's first race car

550 corresponds to the weight figure in kilograms - 1,212 pounds

Originally conceived as a Le Mans-winning car in 1969, the Porsche 917 laid the foundation for future turbocharged Porsches

Between 1969 and 1971, a total of 37 cars were built, in different body styles and varying power outputs

Later variants of the Porsche 917K developed up to 1,580 horsepower

The 2.7 Carrera RS established many traditions in the 911 lineup

Making its debut in 1972, this was the precursor to Porsche 911 GT models

It was the first Porsche to feature a ducktail spoiler, among other features

Thanks to a Mezger-build flat-6 the Carrera 2.7 RS was the fastest car of its day

The original 911 Turbo earned a grim reputation and an awesome nickname - the Widowmaker

The way the turbo built boost made the car violent and fairly unpredictable, causing many accidents, some of which fatal

Despite that, the Porsche 930 Turbo is one of the most desired, classic 911s

In 1986, the Porsche 959 was officially the fastest production car in the world

The 959 is Porsche's first supercar and one of the most advanced vehicles of its time

Its flat-6 was partially water-cooled and featured twin turbochargers, good for 444 or 508 horsepower in the 959 S

The Porsche Carrera GT is considered the last analog supercar, featuring next to zero driver assists and a manual transmission

Its V-10 engine was originally meant to be used in racing but was later adapted for road use. To this day, it has one of the most iconic sounds

Similar to the 930 Turbo "Widowmaker", the Carrera GT developed reputation for being very demanding on the driver

Swipe up to learn more about these historically significant Porsches

Porsche has built some truly legendary engines over the past 70 years, with many tracing their origins to motorsports

Today, we're going to go over five Porsche engines that set the bar high for each era

Modest by modern standards, this 2.7-liter Mezger flat-6 is what powered the fastest car in 1973

The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS was the most successful air-cooled 911 of its day

With 210 hp and 2,116 lbs, the car did 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, on its way to 149 mph

The late Hans Mezger was instrumental in developing these engines through Porsche's motorsports programs

The 3.0-liter (later 3.3-liter) turbocharged flat-6 featured race tech and turned the balanced 911 into a death trap

Despite earning the nickname "Widowmaker", the Porsche 930 Turbo is one of the most iconic 911s ever made

Even with a messed up weight distribution to 38:62 between the front and rear axles, the 930 Turbo could reach speeds of over 170 mph

Hans Mezger was the Chief Engineer of the Porsche 917 Le Mans race car in the late 1960s - early '70s

Dubbed Type 912, this Porsche flat-12 was made of two flat-6 racing engines, thanks to Hans Mezger

Just like the Porsche 917 it powered, the engine had multiple evolutions. Early variants were naturally-aspirated

Early turbocharged variants had problems with turbo lag and the way they delivered power

Eventually, the car was sorted out and a twin-turbocharged setup was adopted

The 5.4-liter twin-turbo variant could make up to 1,580 horsepower

The M80/01 powering the Carrera GT was originally meant to power a Le Mans prototype race car

The V-10 engine features a flat-plane crankshaft and was mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual

Even with old tire technology from the 2000s, the Carrera GT does the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.5 seconds... if you can launch it right

M97.74 is the last Mezger engine. Despite not having vario-cam and direct fuel injection it held the highest specific output of any flat-6 for years to come

Technology developed by Mezger through racing & motorsports, eventually trickled down to Porsche road cars

The engine was specifically designed for the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 and featured some parts from the RSR race car

Swipe up to learn more about why these are the greatest Porsche engines ever

The Porsche Carrera GT doesn't need any introduction as it's gained its popularity for a few reasons

Including its highly symphonic V10 and unfortunately, a handful of deadly high-profile crashes

However, that doesn't mean it cemented the reputation of the Carrera GT

It's a highly sought after supercar that's worth millions of dollars today

It has been over 20 years since the Carrera GT hit the roads, but Porsche and Michelin collaborated to build a new set of tires for the CGT

These tires have modern rubber compounds that brings added grip in both wet and dry surfaces

With the new tires, the CGT's braking performance has significantly increased

It has a shortened braking distance than before by 8 feet

So, why Porsche is getting busy with the Carrera GT even after two decades after its discontinuation?

This could be because the older tires from 2013 aren't that great compared to modern standards

In a way, Porsche can improve the handling of the Carrera GT

This is maybe because of Porsche's way of getting in touch with these owners before its new hypercar, the Mission X debuts

Porsche also filed for a recall of all the Carrera GTs in the U.S. for a suspension failure issue

This was later confirmed that Porsche is offering a new set of tires completely for free

For more insights, check out the full story by swiping up

If you've ever wondered, which were some of the most noteworthy Porsche's to be destroyed on the silver screen, we've got you covered, with five examples

In Risky Business (1983), starring Tom Cruise, they destroyed a Porsche 928

This is allegedly the car that Tom Cruise learned to drive stick in

The 4.5-liter V-8 in this 928 made just 219 horsepower since US models were strangled by regulations

Porsche 928s equipped with a manual transmisison account for only 10 to 15 percent of all 928s produced

The "Risky Business" Porsche 928 was finished in Platinum Metallic. A few cars were used - some survived

The movie Torque (2004) was a playful joke from motorcycle riders to car drivers. A Speed Yellow Porsche 993 was caught in the middle

The air-cooled Porsche was squashed by a Hummer H1 that landed on top of it

The movie car was made to look like a 993 Carrera RS Clubsport, but a experts will notice the irregularities

In Death Race (2008), one of the racers drove a heavily-modified 911 G-body with a missile launcher at the front

The G-Body 911 has its own charm, but that wasn't enough to spare one particular example from being blown to bits

The car was confirmed to be a 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera SC, which stands for "Super Carrera"

This means that the 3.0-liter flat-six is fuel-injected and has a 5-speed, 915 manual transmission

They spared no expense when filming the 2007 Reline. Not one, but two rare Porsches were crashed

The 2 Carrera GT cars that were destroyed in the movie were, allegedly, owned by the movie director, Andy Cheng

Just 1,270 examples of the Porsche Carrera GT were made, and more than a few had already been crashed

In Fast X (2023), they destroyed a real Porsche 997 GT3 by blowing it up

The 997 represents one of the most iconic, modern-day 911s, including the last Mezger-powered 911 and the last manual Turbo

Swipe up to learn more about these Porsche movie cars that met their untimely ends

The Carrera GT and RUF CT3R are both mid-engined supercars, that should appeal to Porsche enthusiats

The Porsche Carrera GT succeeds the 911 GT1 and is heavily inspired by LM GT1 race cars

The RUF CTR3 follows a similar phylosophy, but is more track-focused

The Carrera GT's V-10 was originally meant for GT1 racing and puts out 603 hp and 435 lb-ft

RUF CTR3 EVO features a heavily-modified flat-6 and one of the last Mezger engines. It puts out 789 hp and 730 lb-ft

Unlike the Carrera GT's exquisite cabin, the CTR3 EVO offers a stripped-down racecar cockpit with bucket seats

Underneath all the leather and carbon fiber in the RUF CTR3 EVO, you will find a Porsche 987 dashboard

A proper driver's car: the Carrera GT has no traction control and the only available transmission is a 6-speed manual with anti-stall function

The 5.7-liter V-10 in the Carera GT screams to over 8,000 RPM. It allows for 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph

The RUF CTR3 EVO's twin-turbo boxer engine propels it to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 236 mph

Between 2004 and 2006, just 1,270 examples of the Porsche Carrera GT were built

The EVO is the most hardcore variant of all RUF CTR3 models. Introduced in 2023, production was limtied to just 15 examples

This makes it about twice as affordable as the average Carrera GT at cots close to $1.8 million today

Swipe up to learn more about how these German supercars compare.

Karsten Arndt from Alte Schule YouTube channel recently caught up with Walter Röhrl in Bavaria to discuss cars

More specifically, the Porsche Carrera GT and the McLaren F1

For those of you who are unaware, Röhrl is a two-time WRC champion who later on worked as a Porsche works driver

The German test driver was instrumental in developing the Carrera GT in the late '90s early 2000s

In the video, Röhrl goes over some of the challenges faced during the Carrera GT's development

He highlights the car's unique features: mid-engine, 612 horsepower, and no electronic aids

Walter also reveals that several supercars from the time were used to benchmark against the Carrera GT, during the development

While he mentions cars like the Porsche 959 and the Ferrari F50, it was the McLaren F1 that they really wanted to pit the CGT with

That unfortunately never happened. But fast forward two decades and BMW Classic obliged to provide a pristine McLaren F1 for this feature

An excited Röhrl takes the presenter, Karsten for a test drive in the McLaren F1

Röhrl initially struggles with the car's lack of power steering and central seating position

According to Röhrl, just like with the Carrera GT, the F1's extreme performance, lack of electronic aids, and powerful engine are its highlights

Upon pulling over, Walter admits this McLaren could be easily damaged by an inexperienced driver due to its immense power and handling

Only 106 McLaren F1s were ever made, and they now command $20 million dollars

Walter's dream of driving the McLaren F1 came to fruition and he finally got to savor Gordon Murray's masterpiece.

Repasi Motorwerks Are Based Out Of Stratford, Connecticut

They Are A High End Shop Specializing In Porsche

Owner Jimmy Repasi Worked At Porsche For 15 Years And Is A Carrera GT Expert

The Carrera GT Features A 5.7 V10 From A Porsche Le Mans Prototype

The Team Is Composed Of Porsche Certified Technicians

Along With The Service, They Also Offer Performance Parts

The Facility Is Designed Specially For Premium Porsche Service

They Offer Pre-Purschase Inspection Anywhere In The USA

They Are Also Leaders In Chassis Dynamics And Suspension Tuninng

Doug Demuro's Dream Carrera GT Was Inspected By Them

Repasi Has Build A Custom Exhuast Exclusively For The Carerra GT

There Is No Better Place In North America To Get Your Carrera GT Serviced

If you think the Taycan EV was the first Porsche to feature an all-digital dash, think again

Porsche recently debuted the 992.2 911 Carrera and GTS models for 2025

This latest 911 ditches traditional gauges for a 12.65-inch curved digital-screen

The 911 takes inspiration from the 16.8-inch panel on the Taycan

While a screen is more configurable, it simply doesn't offer the drama of an analog rev-counter

Clearly the case on the pre-facelift model which has a physical tachometer flanked by two 7.0-inch panels

Analog fans will surely miss the traditional 5-gauge setup found on older 911s

Having said that, Porsche dabbled with the idea of a digital instrument cluster two decades ago

The Carrera GT concept from 2000 featured a flat LCD panel about 8.0-10 inches across

Although the final production variant did feature traditional analog gauges

We wonder, could Porsche have not retained some physical element, like the moving rev counter on the Lexus LFA?

The Carrera name is one that has been widely used across Porsche's portfolio

The name actually honors Porsche's victory at the Carrera Panamericana in the 50s

The Carrera name first emerged with a legendary flat-four engine from the 1950s

The Carrera nameplate was used in a 911 for the first time in 1973

Fast forward to modern times and the Carrera GT needs no introduction

While not directly related, the Panamera name is also inspired by the Carrera Panamericana

In today's world, only the 911 continues to utilize the Carrera nameplate extensively

Swipe up to read more about the inception of the Carrera nameplate

Front fascia of the Porsche Carrera GT

The engine of the Porsche Carrera GT

Side profile of the Porsche Carrera GT

Rear look of the Porsche Carrera GT

Inside the cabin of the Porsche Carrera GT