Here’s a mean-looking Porsche – the 2007 Porsche Gemballa Mirage GT. Even its name has a shuddering impact to it. It is based on the exclusive Porsche Carrera GT and costs around 230,000 Euros.
Like 9ff, Gemballa is an exclusive tuning company that profits from upgrading Porsches. Its production-version’s powerplant is humungous – a 5.7-liter V10 engine that delivers 612 hp. But it couldn’t satisfy the boys in Gemballa which added an extra 60 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque for a whopping grand total of 672 hp and 610 Nm of torque. The engine sings through an improved stainless steel exhaust system that ends in four tail pipes to give the GT more belching power. The extra pipes peek out of what used to hold the reverse light and fog warning lamps. The latter have been moved under the GT’s rear diffuser.
Man, if had this ride, I would feel like a GT driver. It reminds me of a souped up Mazda FD3S. Its huge engine is evident by the addition of large air intakes on its bow’s new spoiler. The hood has also been modified, giving it a tighter and more menacing look. Some of the Gemballa signature aerodyanamic additions are mud flaps, side air dams, and cooling vents to serve the rear discs. The rear skirt is made even leaner to give it additional downforce for its rear wheels. More downforce is bestowed by Gemballa’s all-new rear wing that quickly let goes of a brake-flap, similar to the Bugatti Veyron’s. An airscoop has been incorporated onto the GT’s roof to give its large engine more air. Air scoops and air ducts are what really characterize a race car due to its immense needs for air flow.
Even the material used breathes racing – all carbon-fiber. Even its center and door panels are made of carbon fiber. One think I don’t like though are the fine leather trims and lush floor linings that gives the GT cabin a luxurious feel. That ain’t part of being racy.
Well, at least it’s an MR (mid-engine rear-wheel drive). I prefer rear wheel drive (RWD) to all wheel drive (AWD) trains because you can make a well-tuned FR go fast everywhere. I’ve always felt that AWD’s are more suited to playing in mud rallies. It’s especially hard to make a high-powered AWD oversteer in tight corners. You’d have to deal with a lot of understeer. An FR would kick an AWD in cornering. Well, anyway, since the GT is an MR, I’d expect a lot of oversteer due to the heavy weight in the rear. You’d have to counter steer quickly unless you want to spin out in a fast corner.
I appreciate that the GT doesn’t have those whuzzy traction and stability systems which just take the fun and challenge out of driving. Its brakes are huge but I was kind of hoping they were made of carbon-ceramics. You’ll never know when you’re going to need the extra braking power when the downshift isn’t enough. I’ve always preferred to reserve my brakes for emergencies.
It’s a safety issue, I guess. Brakes can heat up and lose their responsiveness. That is why if you’re running near top speed or going downhill it’s always a good idea to engine brake. You’d have to work on your heel and toe though because downshifting per se does have an impact on your clutch and flywheel. Blipping the gas now and then helps when downshifting. Don’t blip too much or else your engine will just valve float, meaning your rpm won’t go down.
Oh well, enough with the advice. Looking at the tuner GT, I’d say it was born to run on the race track, no questions asked. It’s just too menacing for the open road. Unless of course you can afford to be kind enough not to smoke other drivers. I give it a thumbs up for performance.
Source:
http://www.rsportscars.com/porsche/2007-porsche-gemballa-mirage-gt/
