The Marsien GT Turns a 911 Into a Modern 959
Porsche 959
Porsche 959•
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Porsche collectors who dream of owning a 959 but cannot justify its roughly $2 million price tag now have another option. Marc Philipp Gemballa has introduced the Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien GT, a road-focused sibling to the company’s 2024 Marsien off-road supercar.
Based on the 992.1-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Marsien GT combines modern Porsche hardware with styling inspired heavily by the legendary 959. Its body is almost entirely new and constructed from carbon fiber, with only the doors and roof carried over from the original Marsien. The roof now features an air scoop feeding the intercooler, while the front fenders gain active louvers and the rear receives an active wing.
Unlike the original Marsien, which was engineered for desert driving, the GT gets a road-focused suspension lowered to just under four inches of ground clearance. Its bespoke unequal-length control arms work with electronically controlled dampers that continuously adjust compression and rebound.
Power comes from a RUF-tuned twin-turbo 6-cylinder boxer engine producing 830 hp and 603 lb-ft of torque. Marc Philipp Gemballa claims a 0–60 mph time of 2.4 seconds and a 205 mph top speed when fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. A 900-plus-hp engine is already under development for those who want even more performance.
Only 30 Marsien GT conversions will be produced, compared with 40 original Marsiens. Pricing starts around $888,660, excluding the donor Porsche and customization options.
Does the Marsien GT capture the spirit of the 959 better than a modern Porsche? Is 830 hp enough for a car this exclusive? Would you choose this over a genuine 959?
