SEMA 2017: Porsche-based Gemballa GT Concept revealed

Most Australians won’t have heard of Gemballa, one of many companies that modifies Porsches.

But at SEMA, Gemballa made itself known with its wild-looking GT Concept, based on the 911 Turbo.

With a twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat six modified to pump out a whopping 609kw/952Nm, Gemballa claims its GT will hit 100km/h in just 2.38 seconds.

It adds that 200km/h comes along in 7.5 seconds, and 300 in a total of 18.8s.

“The Performance Turbo system includes intake manifolds and air intake housings made of carbon, reworked cylinder heads and valves, new throttle valve bodies, high-performance air filters, a folding-controlled sports exhaust system with metal catalytic converters and a new engine and gearbox management system,” Gemballa explains.

To cope with the extra power – and the ultra-light carbon bodywork – the GT Concept features a redesigned adjustable chassis.

To stop, six-piston calipers on 380mm at the front and four-pots on 360mm disks at the back.

Also important, Gemballa says, is the aerodynamic redesign.

“The interplay of front skirt with integrated splitter, rear skirt with diffuser, rear fender and adjustable rear wings ensure aerodynamics to reduce friction as well as a spectacular design.”

Inside, Gemballa says it has used fine leathers and Alcantara, as well as Gemballa logos for added exclusivity.

A company that started out making interior modifications for BMWs and Porsches in the early 1980s, Gemballa quickly became a renowned modifier of sports cars, especially for its work with Porsche models.

Now the GT Concept joins the family of other bonkers Porsches – and a couple of McLarens – which have undergone the Gemballa treatment.