Porsche Carrera GT Drives Off With Engineering Excellence Award

Automotive Division of the Society of Plastic Engineers recognizes Porsche's super sports car for breakthrough use of new materials

ATLANTA, Nov. 16 -- Its carbon fiber engine frame and ceramic matrix composite clutch plate, a world's first in a production car, earned the Porsche Carrera GT the new Engineering Excellence Award during the 34th Annual Innovation Awards Program of the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE). Every year this program recognizes and communicates technical accomplishments in all phases of new automotive plastics and plastic-based composite applications.

Traditionally, the award winners are selected from the large number of entries in eight different vehicle-segment categories from body exterior through environmental to process technologies. This year, because of the bold application of new materials and the outstanding engineering expertise demonstrated in this genuine super sports car, the panel of blue-ribbon judges, comprised of automotive and plastic industry experts and analysts, awarded an Engineering Excellence Award for the first time. The carbon fiber monocoque and engine frame design, together with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Clutch, "Demonstrate the tremendous future that exists for the continued growth of plastics, not only in high performance cars, but throughout the entire automotive industry," noted the organizers during the award ceremony.

The Porsche Carrera GT is a limited-edition high performance sports car with the DNA of a racecar. An extremely low weight and over 600 hp from a V10- cylinder engine propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in well under four seconds and allow a track top speed of more than 200 mph. Only a total of 1,500 units will be built over a period of four years, with nearly half earmarked for the North American market. In the U.S. the Carrera GT has an MSRP of $440,000 plus destination charge.

PCNA, based in Atlanta, GA., is the exclusive importer of Porsche cars for the United States. A wholly owned subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs some 200 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, marketing and training for its 205 dealers in North America. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.