Amid the numerous modified or restomodded Porsches out there, the Marsien GT is one that certainly demands some attention. Partly, it’s the fact it’s the closest thing to a Porsche 959 for the modern era, while the other aspect is the backstory behind it.
The Marsien GT is the creation of Marc Phillipp Gemballa. If that surname sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the son of Porsche specialist Uwe Gemballa.
Known for his namesake tuning company, the elder Gemballa was known for creating extreme, flamboyant modified Porsches for high-end customers. However, he disappeared and was murdered in 2010, and his company was seized and subsequently sold by German authorities.
As a result, his son Marc Phillipp Gemballa’s own namesake company has no affiliation with the company that was once his father’s, but that has allowed him to pave his own way.
Launched in 2021 when he was just 27, the original Marsien was launched as somewhat of a tribute to the rally version of the Porsche 959, with its ground clearance and chunky tyres leaving no guesses regarding its off-road focus.
Now, five years after it made its Monterey Car Week debut, Marc Phillipp Gemballa is returning to Pebble Beach with this Marsien GT – the road-focused evolution of this car, which even more clearly evokes the legendary 959.
Limited to just 30 commissioned examples, the Marsien GT is based on the underpinnings of the 992.1 Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, little of the donor car is left by the time MPG is done with it.
Around 1500 individually engineered and manufactured components are fitted, including the carbon fibre exterior, bespoke KW Automotive double wishbone suspension, titanium Akrapovič exhaust system, door handles, and taillights.
That full carbon fibre bodywork features plenty of active aero elements including its roof scoop, louvres, and hooped rear wing.
The powertrain also gets a little more than just a tickle, with renowned Porsche engine specialists RUF turning its twin-turbocharged flat-six all the way up to 619kW (830hp) and 930Nm thanks to enhanced VTG turbo chargers, a revised ECU mapping, and new transmission settings. That makes it good for 0-100km/h in just 2.4 seconds and a top speed of 330km/h.
For those feeling even more bold, MPG and RUF are working on a 671kW (900hp) version as well.
Inside, you’ll find a full Alcantara interior which features a Carrera GT-inspired centre console and shifter. Naturally, there are more carbon accents throughout the cabin, too.
Interested? Pricing starts at €770,000 (A$1,258,615) excluding the price of a donor car, with first deliveries slated for late 2027.
Until then, this first example – complete in a bespoke, four-layer Anniversary Liquid Champagne Gold hue – will be on display at Monterey Car Week from August 13-16, 2026.
