Porsche history · 2003–2006

Porsche Carrera GT: History, Specs & What to Know

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Porsche Carrera GT is a mid-engine, open-top supercar built in Leipzig from autumn 2003 to May 2006. Porsche made 1,270. Its 5.7-liter V10 (612 PS) came from a shelved Le Mans prototype, and the car uses a carbon-fiber monocoque, ceramic brakes and clutch, and a six-speed manual.

The engine started life in the LMP 2000, a prototype Porsche developed for endurance racing and shelved in 1999 before it raced. Porsche reused the V10 for a road-car study shown at the Paris Motor Show in September 2000, then confirmed production in 2002.

Every Carrera GT was hand-assembled at Leipzig. In Germany it cost €452,690; in the US it arrived in 2004 at about $440,000. On 21 September 2004 a Carrera GT lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:33, a road-car record at the time.

Carrera GT history: what changed, year by year

  1. 1999 — Porsche shelves the LMP 2000 Le Mans prototype and its 5.5-liter V10.[1]
  2. Sept. 2000 — The Carrera GT study premieres at the Paris Motor Show with a 5.5-liter V10.[1],[2]
  3. 2002 — Porsche announces it will build the Carrera GT with a larger V10.[2]
  4. Autumn 2003 — Series production begins at Leipzig.[1]
  5. 2004 — The Carrera GT is introduced at the Detroit auto show and reaches US dealers.[2],[3]
  6. 21 Sept. 2004 — A 7:33 lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a road-car record at the time.[4]
  7. May 2006 — Production ends at 1,270 cars.[1],[4]

How many Carrera GTs were made?

Porsche Carrera GT production figures (units). ≈ marks a figure Porsche gives as approximate.
Model / variantYearsUnitsWhat the figure counts
Carrera GT2003–20061,270[1],[4],[5],[6]total built

More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.

Carrera GT variants and engines

Key Porsche Carrera GT variants. Power in PS (metric horsepower) as Porsche quotes it, or hp where marked.
VariantYearsEnginePowerNotes
Carrera GT (production)2003–20065,733 cc naturally aspirated V10, 68° bank angle612 PS at 8,000 rpm[1]590 Nm; six-speed manual with ceramic clutch.
Carrera GT study20005.5 L V10 (from the LMP 2000)not published[1],[2]Paris Motor Show concept; Porsche quoted more than 200 mph.

Carrera GT engine and drivetrain facts

  • 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, 0–200 km/h in 9.9 seconds, and a 330 km/h top speed.[1]
  • Carbon-fiber monocoque with a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body and magnesium and Kevlar parts; curb weight 1,380 kg.[1]
  • Six-speed manual gearbox mounted transversely, with a ceramic clutch; ceramic brakes as standard.[1],[4]
  • Wheelbase 2,730 mm; length 4,613 mm; width 1,921 mm.[1]

What to check before you buy a Carrera GT

  • Documentation carries much of the value. With 1,270 built, ask for the original window sticker, service records from Porsche dealers or recognized specialists, and the factory build record.[1]
  • Ask for invoices for any clutch inspection or replacement. The ceramic clutch is unique to this car, so the work should come from a Porsche dealer or a specialist who knows it.
  • Color and specification matter: the highest public result so far is a Paint to Sample car, so confirm any special-order paint against the factory record rather than the seller's description.[7]
  • Check tire age as well as tread; low-mileage collector cars often sit on old tires.

What does a Carrera GT cost today?

A Carrera GT has no single price: mileage, color, ownership history and documentation drive it. New, it was about $440,000 in the US. The public results below, all from early 2026, show how far collector values have moved since then.

Selected public Porsche Carrera GT sale results (USD, including buyer's premium where the auction house reports it).
DateSaleCarPrice (USD)
Jan. 2026RM Sotheby's, Arizona2005 Carrera GT — a model auction record at the time$3,085,000[8]
27 Feb. 2026RM Sotheby's, Miami2005 Carrera GT, about 600 miles$3,305,000[9]
Mar. 2026Broad Arrow, Amelia Island2005 Carrera GT in Paint to Sample Gulf Blue, offered without reserve$6,715,000[7]

How to verify a Carrera GT's factory options

US-market Carrera GTs carry standard 17-character VINs, so the factory paint, interior and option codes can be checked from the VIN. Compare them with the window sticker and the car's documents — special-order paint and options are where a Carrera GT's value differences come from.

See exactly how this Carrera GT left the factory.

The CarWhere build sheet decodes a US-market Porsche VIN into its factory record: paint, interior, option codes and equipment as built. $9.99, and the free availability check shows whether build data exists before you pay.

Porsche build sheet by VIN

Porsche Carrera GT FAQ

How many Porsche Carrera GTs were made?

Porsche built 1,270 Carrera GTs at its Leipzig plant between autumn 2003 and May 2006.

How much was a Porsche Carrera GT new?

Porsche lists the new price as €452,690 in 2003. In the US it went on sale in 2004 at about $440,000.

How much is a Porsche Carrera GT worth today?

Recent public auction results run well into the millions. In early 2026 Carrera GTs sold for $3,085,000 at RM Sotheby's Arizona and $3,305,000 at RM Sotheby's Miami, and a Paint to Sample Gulf Blue car sold for $6,715,000 at Broad Arrow's Amelia Island auction.

What engine is in the Carrera GT?

A 5,733 cc naturally aspirated V10 rated at 612 PS at 8,000 rpm and 590 Nm. It was developed from the V10 of the LMP 2000 Le Mans prototype, which Porsche shelved in 1999.

Is the Carrera GT manual?

Yes. Every Carrera GT has a six-speed manual gearbox with a ceramic clutch; no automatic was offered.

Related Porsche history

Specs, production and buying research

Sources

Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.

  1. Porsche Carrera GT: A legendary supercar marks its milestone — Porsche Newsroom
  2. Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
  3. 2004 Porsche Carrera GT: what's new — Cars.com
  4. The super sportscars from Porsche — Porsche Newsroom
  5. Celebrating 20 years of the Porsche Carrera GT — Porsche Newsroom
  6. Porsche Leipzig celebrates 20th anniversary of production — Porsche Newsroom
  7. Porsche Carrera GT and Miura SV records smashed at Broad Arrow's 2026 Amelia Island auction (Mar. 9, 2026) — Octane
  8. RM Sotheby's opens the 2026 auction season with $63 million Arizona sale — RM Sotheby's
  9. RM Sotheby's Miami 2026, lot 185: 2005 Porsche Carrera GT — Classic.com (secondary reference)

Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.