FYI: Porsche elevates the legendary Carrera GT’s performance with a new ultra-high-performance tire, bringing modern agility to a classic marvel.
Porsche Reinvents an Icon: New Tires for the Carrera GT
In an unexpected collaboration with Michelin, Porsche has introduced a cutting-edge tire specially designed for the iconic Carrera GT, a super sports car with a limited production run of just 1,270 units between 2003 and 2006. Elevating the already extraordinary vehicle, this new development brings modern precision and performance enhancements, nearly two decades after the final Carrera GT rolled off the production line.
Revitalizing a Legend
When the Carrera GT debuted in 2003, it was among the fastest cars available, setting new benchmarks with its extraordinary V10 engine. Originally intended for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this naturally aspirated powerplant was adapted for road use, boasting a power boost from 5.5 to 5.7 liters, generating 605 horsepower and 435 lb.-ft of torque. This allowed the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a staggeringly swift 3.9 seconds, ultimately reaching top speeds of 205 mph.
These formidable specifications were initially supported by bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. Subsequent years saw the introduction of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport as an upgrade. As of now, the new Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, designed exclusively with a Porsche-specific N-designation, have taken over to further push the boundaries of performance.
Advanced Tire Technology Unveiled
Jörg Bergmeister, Porsche’s esteemed development driver and brand ambassador, has been heavily involved in perfecting the new tires, aimed at enhancing both wet and dry dynamics. The dual-compound technology used in these tires incorporates different rubber compounds: a silica-enhanced compound for the tire’s interior for optimal wet grip, and a soot-composed mix for superior dry traction on the outer shoulder.
Mathieu Greco, Michelin’s tire development engineer for Porsche, highlighted the importance of this tailored composition. He detailed how it boosts the car’s handling and interaction with different road conditions, ensuring uncompromised performance.
Improvement Beyond Speed
These tires, tested rigorously at the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife, promise significant improvements not only in lap times but also in braking efficiency. The Carrera GT can now halt from 62 mph up to 8 feet shorter and from 124 mph, a whopping 39 feet shorter. This precise feedback and control enable drivers to push the vehicle to its limits with confidence.
Bergmeister remarked on the value of these specialized tires, underscoring how they seamlessly blend with the vehicle’s dynamics to improve agility and make high-speed maneuvers accessible and fun for drivers.
A Commitment to Excellence
This collaboration underscores Porsche’s enduring commitment to innovation and excellence, extending the legacy of the Carrera GT through state-of-the-art engineering and technology transfers derived straight from motorsports.
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Porsche has delivered a testament to timeless engineering with the new Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires for the Carrera GT, a car that remains a pinnacle of automotive marvel with its newly enhanced agility and performance.
Authored by William Rapp, Editor of Automotive.fyi.
