Porsche Celebrates LMP2000's 25th Anniversary, Remembering Unraced Prototype's Engine Legacy
Porsche has recently commemorated the 25th anniversary of the LMP2000, a prototype race car that never saw competition. The vehicle, originally intended to succeed the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98, was shelved due to budget constraints. Its V-10 engine, however, found new life in the Porsche Carrera GT, launched in 2000.
The LMP2000's V-10 engine was initially developed for the Le Mans Endurance World Championship. Porsche later adapted this engine for the Carrera GT, which featured a naturally aspirated 5.5-litre version unique to the car. The engine's journey from the racetrack to the road took over a decade.
The LMP2000 project was abandoned due to financial and resource limitations. Porsche instead focused on developing the Cayenne, which ultimately funded the Carrera GT's launch. Only one LMP2000 race car was ever built. Recently, Porsche celebrated the LMP2000's anniversary by taking it for a spin on the Weissach test track with original test driver Alan McNish.
The LMP2000 may not have made it to the racetrack, but its V-10 engine lived on in the Porsche Carrera GT. This engine, derived from an earlier Formula 1 design, powered the Carrera GT for over a decade, from 2000 to 2007. Despite its cancelled racing debut, the LMP2000's legacy continues through the iconic sports car it inspired.
