5.7-litre V10 – The Carrera GT Engine (2003)

Porsche designed a very special power unit for the Carrera GT. This hypercar is powered by a naturally aspirated, 5.7-litre V10.

Naturally Aspirated 5.7-litre V10

The ten-cylinder power unit with of the Carrera GT is based on a 5.5-litre V10 engine. The engine capacity has been increased to 5.7 litres by enlarging cylinder bore to 98 millimetres. The maximum power output of the engine is 450 kW at 8,000 rpm and the maximum torque 590 Newton-metres (435 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm. Weighing just 214 kg (872 lb), the engine is made of light alloy throughout.

The optimised 68° V-angle of the cylinders, together with the crankshaft lowered to the lowest possible level, gives the engine a very low centre of gravity. Porsche’s engineers have chosen the 10-cylinder concept with 500 cc per cylinder since this configuration offers optimum conditions for the cylinder charge cycle. Four valves per cylinder and intake channels optimised to provide perfect flow conditions ensure an optimum cylinder charge and supreme efficiency.

High Engine Speeds

High engine speeds of up to 8400 rpm require suitable design of the crankdrive. The crankshaft operates with a stroke of 76 millimetres, interacting with 68 millimetres cylinder bore to provide overall capacity of 5,733 cc. Forged and designed for minimum mass inertia, the crankshaft offers maximum torsional stiffness. The pistons are connected to the crankshaft by titanium connecting rods not only very strong but also extra-light to ensure superior smoothness and a long service life at engine speeds of more than 8,000 rpm.

Like the crankcase, the cylinder heads on the Carrera GT resemble those of a fully-fledged racing engine. Construction of the crankcase in one piece integrates the secondary air ducts as well as the separate bearing blocks for the camshaft. Camshaft drive is a combined sprocket/chain system which, in conjunction with rigid cup tappets, guarantees stiff and sturdy valve drive with low masses and compact dimensions. The intake camshafts come with infinite adjustment within a total range of 40° provided by VarioCam camshaft control patented by Porsche.

With a Powerful Sound

The exhaust system is made completely of stainless-steel. Precisely tuned interaction of the blending chambers, finally, helps to provide that powerful Porsche sound in combination with the high-frequency roar characteristic of a thoroughbred racing engine.

5.7-Litre V10 Engine Specification

• V10 normal-aspiration engine with 680 cylinder angle
• Closeddeck light-alloy crankcase with nickel/silicon liners
• Titanium connecting rods
• Light-alloy cylinder heads
• Four valves per cylinder
• Four overhead camshafts
• Variable valve timing (infinite VarioCam control) on the intake side
• Dry sump lubrication
• Bore 98 mm
• Stroke 76 mm
• Capacity 5,733 cc
• Compression ratio 12.0 : 1
• Engine output 450 kW (612 bhp) at 8,000 rpm
• Max torque 590 Nm (435 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm
• Output per litre 78.5 kW (106.73 bhp)
• Max engine speed 8,400 rpm