It’s hard to believe that Porsche’s Carrera GT first came to be over 25 years ago, first breaking cover at the Paris Auto Show in 2000. Not too long ago, we featured a story where we broke down the Porsche and Arthur Kar Tribute Capsule Collection, celebrating this milestone.
In our in-depth comparison of the CGT with its successor, the 918 Spyder, we extensively discussed how the original prototype played a crucial role in developing the final production variant that went into production in 2004. While there isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about the Carrera GT, Porsche themselves have now dropped a short film, reflecting upon one of their all-time greats.
The film doesn’t waste a single second, opening with the car’s howling 5.7-liter V10 tearing through a tunnel. That high-revving engine, of course, began life as an abandoned Formula One project, and even today, the soundtrack remains unmatched, with only the Lexus LFA and BMW’s E60 M5 even coming close. At 605 horsepower, driving it demanded skill, which is exactly why Porsche roped two-time rally world champion Walter Röhrl to help refine this supercar’s dynamics.
Three pedals, a tricky clutch, and that six-speed manual, topped with a beach-wood knob, which is a direct callback to the Le-Mans winning 917K race car. The gearbox is mounted high on the center console, its deliberate placement forcing you to engage in every shift. Yes, on early Michelin Pilot Sports, the car quickly gained notoriety and lawsuits as a modern-day “widow maker.” From the onset, the Carrera GT was engineered for driving purity, demanding your full attention.
Get behind the wheel, and you learn firsthand how little tolerance it has for mistakes at the limit. Fast forward to 2024, and modern Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber has now transformed the experience. The car may still be intimidating, but the added grip makes it more approachable, more usable, and arguably more rewarding if you’re willing to put in the time to master it.
Harm Lagaay’s design also plays a role in the CGT’s legacy. Even in 2025, with clean lines and functional aerodynamics, the proportions look spot on. The film cuts between Paris and Leipzig, where each and every one of the 1,270 examples were hand-assembled, with some shots also showing the CGT in several colors together, including in the much rarer black, red, and yellow.
Values of Carrera GTs continue to climb, and clean examples now trade well above $1.5 million, with rare PTS colors commanding higher premiums. Should you consider one today, ask yourself: would you put your money into another intangible asset, or into one of the most analog and visceral Porsche halocar experiences ever built? With that, enjoy the film.
Images: Porsche