Porsche 911 GTS

The iconic Porsche sports car with the perfect package of extras

Introduction

Some Porsche aficionados describe the 911 GTS as the sweet spot of the range – and with reason. In price, performance and specification, it slots in between the 911 Carrera and 911 Turbo. It offers a useful power hike over the Carrera and comes with a package of design and performance enhancements that give it a striking identity all its own. It’s even more rewarding to drive and own than a 911 Carrera – which makes it a very special car indeed. ​​

Model Range

If you’re interested in a rear-wheel drive 911 GTS, you can choose between the 911 Carrera GTS coupé and the open-top 911 Carrera Cabriolet GTS. But opt for all-wheel drive and you can also choose a Targa; models are the 911 Carrera 4 GTS coupé, 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet and 911 Targa 4 GTS.

Performance

The kerfuffle about the progression from the previous 911’s naturally-aspirated flat six to the current turbocharged flat six lasted about as long as it took the first journalist to take a test drive. This is a fabulous, powerful and characterful engine and in the GTS you’ll enjoy a worthwhile power hike over the 911 Carrera; maximum power climbs to 450hp and there’s 550Nm of torque. Transmission choices include a seven-speed manual or the optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, also with seven gears. The latter is quicker but for traditionalists, the first is more satisfying.​​

Top speed in the rear-drive Carrera GTS is 193mph, which is one mile an hour faster than the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 GTS, perhaps because it’s lighter. However, the improved traction of all-wheel drive means that the Carrera 4 GTS with the PDK box is the fastest-accelerating model, hitting 62mph from rest in 3.6 seconds. ​​

Design

One of the joys of 911 ownership is that your Porsche will never look out of date, even when a new model appears. The latest shape 911 (known by its model code as 991) is smoother, sleeker and more aerodynamic than ever, but it’s still a clear evolution of the first-ever 911 from 1963.  Choose the 911 GTS, and your Porsche will have some distinctive points of difference from the standard 911 Carrera. These include wider rear haunches, a new SportDesign front spoiler, SportDesign exterior mirrors and 20” centre-lock wheels from the 911 Turbo S.​​

You’ll also spot the centrally-mounted twin exhaust pipes from the sports exhaust. Inside, there’s a mix of leather and Alcantara™, the latter having become a kind of shorthand for ‘race-track inspired’, accompanied by black trim. There’s ample scope for personalisation too, including a GTS interior package. ​​

Technology

The range includes coupé, Targa and Convertible; all get PASM but only the coupé models get the sports suspension with a 20mm ride-height reduction for an even more direct driving feel. Rear-axle steering with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control is an option, and it delivers increased driving stability and agility. The standard Sport Chrono package gives you a mode switch on the steering wheel which allows you to choose between Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual driving modes.

A Sport Response button also unleashes a kind of overboost for a 20-second burst of maximum responsiveness. Great for those overtaking moves on the straight at the Nürburgring. Infotainment related technology includes Porsche Communication Management (PCM), Connect Plus with online navigation, Apple® CarPlay, telephone module, wireless Internet access, Connect apps and Track Precision App.

Safety

With the 911 Carrera GTS models, the Porsche Stability Management system comes with a Sport mode to allow greater leeway for skilful driving on the limit while providing a welcome safety blanket for all those not blessed with Lewis Hamilton levels of car control. In other words, everyone. Other active safety features include larger brake discs: 350mm at the front and 330 rear.​​

For the ultimate in braking performance there’s the option of Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes. Bi-Xenon main headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) means the fun doesn’t have to stop when the daylight does; as well as being precisely defined and very powerful, the headlights swivel towards the inside of a bend, based on steering angle and road speed.