Marc Philipp Gemballa is taking the MARSIEN in a new direction. Following the success of the all-terrain MARSIEN, the German marque has unveiled the MARSIEN GT, a road-focused grand tourer that combines an aggressively sculpted carbon-fiber body with a RUF-developed powertrain, active aerodynamics and bespoke suspension.
Limited to just 30 examples worldwide, the MARSIEN GT represents the second vehicle in Marc Philipp Gemballa’s growing portfolio of bespoke collector automobiles. Combined with the original MARSIEN, total production of the program will reach just 70 cars, a number chosen to commemorate the 70th anniversary of automotive visionary Uwe Gemballa, Marc Philipp Gemballa’s father.
The MARSIEN GT will make its world premiere and North American debut during Monterey Car Week, with its unveiling taking place at Pebble Beach on August 13, 2026.
From Dakar-Inspired Supercar to Grand Tourer
The original MARSIEN was conceived as a modern interpretation of the legendary Paris-Dakar era, combining supercar performance with genuine off-road capability. The MARSIEN GT takes the same fundamental design language and transforms it into a machine focused squarely on asphalt.
Built on the fully homologated MARSIEN platform, the GT has been developed around enhanced road performance, sharper dynamics and greater everyday usability. Rather than attempting to bridge the gap between road and off-road driving, the new model is designed to deliver its performance exclusively on the road.
A Porsche 911 Turbo S transformed from the ground up
Underneath the dramatic bodywork is a Porsche 992 Turbo S, but very little of the original car remains untouched.
Approximately 1,500 individually engineered and manufactured components have been incorporated into the MARSIEN GT. The transformation includes a completely new carbon-fiber body, bespoke double-wishbone suspension, titanium exhaust, unique lighting, wiring, aerodynamic systems, chassis components and a thoroughly reworked interior.
The result is essentially a new collector automobile built around the Porsche platform rather than simply a modified 911.
The exterior alone consists of more than 100 individual carbon-fiber components, including air channels, mirrors, wheel-arch liners and a massive rear body section extending from the A-pillars to the rear wing.
Every exterior panel has been redesigned with weight reduction, cooling and aerodynamic performance in mind. Active front-fender louvers, an active rear wing, roof scoop, ram-air intakes, side-skirt air intakes and a full carbon-fiber underbody contribute to a total weight reduction of 165 pounds compared with the standard Porsche 992 Turbo S.
The central fuel-filler system is another distinctive feature, while the carbon-fiber components are manufactured by German specialists that also supply major OEMs, sports-car manufacturers and Formula 1 teams.
The design was once again led by designer and Porsche enthusiast Alan Derosier, who was responsible for the original MARSIEN’s futuristic yet timeless appearance.
Serious active aero
Aerodynamics are a major part of the MARSIEN GT’s transformation.
The car features a pneumatic active-aerodynamic system controlling the front-fender louvers and rear wing. The louvers vent high-pressure air from the wheel housings to reduce front-end lift and turbulence, while the dramatically angled rear wing increases rear-axle downforce and stability at high speeds. It can also function as an air brake when required.
Above the cabin, a roof scoop captures clean airflow and directs it toward the intercoolers, while separate ram-air intakes supply the engine. Additional intakes in the side skirts direct cooling air toward the rear wheel arches and brakes.
Replacing the original aluminum underfloor is a lightweight carbon-fiber underbody designed to reduce weight while optimizing airflow toward the diffuser.
A new suspension built for the road
While the original MARSIEN required suspension hardware capable of dealing with dramatically different terrain, the MARSIEN GT gets an entirely new setup developed specifically for high-performance road driving.
Working once again with suspension specialist KW Automotive, Marc Philipp Gemballa has developed a bespoke double-wishbone front suspension combined with KW’s latest DDC V5 technology.
The electronically controlled dampers continuously adjust compression and rebound in real time, with two electromagnetic proportional valves inside each damper independently controlling the forces. The system can react in just 20 milliseconds, allowing the GT to respond rapidly to changing road conditions without sacrificing the ride comfort expected from a grand tourer.
A front-axle lift system adds 2.36 inches of additional clearance, raising the nose to help negotiate driveways, ramps and speed bumps. Normal ride height is approximately 3.94 inches.
Multiple drive modes can also be selected from the steering wheel, adjusting the dampers, transmission and engine mapping to suit the driver’s chosen setting.
Six-spoke forged aluminum wheels with center-locking hubs are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
RUF power with more than 830 HP
Power comes from a RUF-upgraded twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, continuing Marc Philipp Gemballa’s relationship with the legendary Porsche specialist.
RUF’s involvement also carries historical significance. The company previously worked with Uwe Gemballa on Porsche-based powertrains during the 1980s, making the collaboration between RUF and Marc Philipp Gemballa something of a continuation of that legacy.
For the MARSIEN GT, the engine receives enhanced VTG turbochargers, revised ECU calibration and transmission settings, producing more than 830 horsepower and 686 lb-ft of torque.
For customers who aren’t satisfied with that figure, a second-stage upgrade producing more than 900 horsepower is already in development.
According to the supplied specifications, the MARSIEN GT can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, while top speed is rated at 205 mph.
Titanium exhaust from Akrapovič
The RUF powertrain is accompanied by a bespoke full-titanium quad exhaust system developed by Akrapovič.
Beyond its acoustic character, the system forms an integral part of the MARSIEN GT’s more aggressive rear-end design, giving the car a distinctive visual signature to match its performance.
A One-Off launch specification
For the MARSIEN GT’s introduction, Marc Philipp Gemballa has created a unique exterior finish called Anniversary Liquid Champagne Gold.
The four-layer champagne-gold metallic paint incorporates pearlescent flakes and pays subtle homage to the pearl-white launch color of the original MARSIEN. The color was created specifically to celebrate Uwe Gemballa’s 70th anniversary.
Inside, the launch car combines dark-gray Alcantara with carbon-fiber bucket seats and champagne-colored stitching, seat belts and instrument dials. Matte carbon-fiber elements and an Alcantara-covered roll bar further reinforce its motorsport-inspired character.
The center console has been raised and features an aluminum gear lever inspired by the legendary Porsche Carrera GT. Buyers can also specify a carbon-fiber or mahogany gear knob, while additional carbon-fiber interior components and a customizable roll bar are available.
Each of the 30 cars will receive an individual production-number badge embedded in the center console.
Just 30 cars
Production of the MARSIEN GT will be restricted to 30 bespoke examples, with first deliveries scheduled to begin at the end of 2027. Pricing starts at €770,000, excluding taxes, duties, shipping and the Porsche base vehicle.
With the original MARSIEN and MARSIEN GT combined, the entire MARSIEN program will be capped at just 70 vehicles worldwide.
The MARSIEN GT takes center stage at Monterey Car Week
The MARSIEN GT will make its world premiere during Monterey Car Week in California, where it will be displayed at several of the event’s major venues.
Following its initial unveiling, the car will appear at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, placing Marc Philipp Gemballa’s latest creation among some of the world’s most significant automotive debuts.
With its combination of 830-plus horsepower, carbon-fiber construction, active aerodynamics, RUF engineering and an ultra-limited production run, the MARSIEN GT takes the original concept in a very different direction.
The MARSIEN was built to conquer both pavement and dirt. The MARSIEN GT, meanwhile, is all about making the road the destination.
