Clair Porsche of West Roxsbury had their annual Porsche "Season Opener" Event today. As one of their loyal customer, RainyDayGarage, of course, was on site to check things out. Besides... the invitation said "Free Barbecue and Refreshments"!

The food was good (ribs, BBQ chicken, mashed potatos, beans, and soda), but we were more blown away by the surprise we saw on the showroom floor.

There was a good complement of 2005 911s, Boxsters, and Cayennes in all their glorious colors (Midnight Blue, Forest Green, Arctic Silver,...etc). What we did not expect was to see a Carrera GT and moreover to be able to get up close and check it out!

This car is just beautiful. Looking at the car, it is clear that every angle, every trim, every nut and bolt reflected some engineer's or designer's conscious choice. Nothing appeared unnecessary, extravagant perhaps, but not superfluous.

The bi-xenon headlights are not just powerful bulbs, but were more akin to optical lens instruments for focusing light beams at a specific target. The side vents allow plenty of air circulation to cool those 15" six piston cross drilled ceramic disc brakes... ceramic so they won't melt when called upon to rein in the 605 horses at full gallop!

The Porsche Carrera GT is a rear wheel drive, 6 speed manual, water-cooled rocket. The wheels are 19 x 9.5 in front and 20 x12.5 in the rear. It needs that much rubber to transfer the power to move it from 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds (3.8 to be exact). To keep you seated during the head snapping acceleration, the bucket seats are a carbon fiber and Kevlar shell wrapped in glove soft leather. The rear spoiler will automatically deploy when needed at speed to keep the vehicle glued to the ground.

To generate the 605 hp, Porsche designed a water-cooled, naturally-aspirated V10, 4 valve head, mid-mounted engine in a longitudinal layout. All of that muscle will not make the car fast if the weight is high. To get the weight down to a svelte 3,042 lbs, carbon fiber composites are used where possible (hood, doors, engine carrier, chassis).

The Carrera GT is listed as a convertible. It is really an open top two-seater with a two-piece detachable carbon fiber hardtop.

From the side, Carolyn thought the Carrera has a passing resemblance to the "BatMobile". Maybe it's the humps or perhaps the dual exhaust in the rear, but I think she is right!

If you have a chance, drop on by Clair Porsche in West Roxsbury and check it out before someone snaps it up. It is not everyday one gets a chance to be this close to a masterpiece!

The Porsche Carrera GT is Porsche's top of the line. Only 1500 will be available. Of course, at an average sale price of $430,000 that is still $645 million dollars :-)

Vehicle Summary:

1. No. of cylinders : 10

2. Power : 605 hp @ 8,000 rpm

3. Weight : 3.042 lbs (1,380kg)

4. Top speed : 205mph (330 km/h)

5. 0 - 60 mph: 3.8 seconds

6. Power : 605 hp @ 8,000 rpm

7. Manual Six Speed

8. 24.3 gallon tank

9. City/Hwy MPG: 10 / 16

10. Price as reviewed: $448,300