The Porsche 911 (992) Carrera GTS at a glance
Three new 911s in 2021
The 911 fire burns more brightly than it has been for a long time. In 2021, Porsche presented the GT3, its touring offshoot (combined fuel consumption: 13.0-12.9 l / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 294-293 g / km²) and now the GTS variants of the 992. This means that the current sports car program from the Stuttgart-based company is slowly but surely approaching completeness. Of course, a few marginal issues are still missing. A GT3 RS, for example, or the brute GT2 RS.
But basically, the volume variants are now set and in my opinion there is no doubt that potential 911 customers should take a close look at the Gran Turismo Sport. Without any exuberance, it is currently probably the best 992 that you can buy. So better than a GT3? For the everyday driver, for those who don’t just take their sports car out at the weekend, definitely. Because they trained the 911 Carrera GTS (combined fuel consumption: 11.4-10.4 l / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 258-236 g / km²) in Zuffenhausen to do something that is difficult to find in this car class these days: Suspension comfort.
A dynamic man with manners
Suspension comfort that is not at the expense of sportiness at the same time. Two attributes, which are actually in stark contradiction to one another, could be linked by digging deep into the bag of technical tricks. Among other things, the PASM sports suspension from the big turbo brother was used, which makes the body 10 millimeters lower. So-called helper springs on the rear axle ensure that the main springs are under tension during all driving conditions. In this way, the downstroke is retained, which in the end is also conducive to driving comfort.
Active rear-axle steering and active roll stabilization Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control are also optionally available. The fireworks display in the landing gear area is rounded off by the lift function for the front axle, which can raise the front by up to 40 millimeters. The whole thing works optionally with GPS support. The 911 remembers the point at which the front axle was raised manually and, if desired, will automatically raise the front end the next time.
The GTS follows the pure sports car theory
The powerful sounding 3.0-liter six-cylinder boxer of the 992 GTS models also demonstrates great aplomb thanks to the standard sports exhaust system. 480 PS are 30 more than in the predecessor, the torque of the turbo engine increases slightly from 550 to 570 Newton meters. The Carrera GTS accelerates from standstill to 100 km / h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 311 km / h. But in the end these are just bare numbers that need to be implemented in driving dynamics on the black asphalt surface. Porsche itself maintains eight customer sports centers for this purpose, one of which was recently opened in northern Italy.
At the Porsche Experience Center Franciacorta I was able to convince myself of the handling qualities of the 911 GTS and at the same time that the pure sports car theory continues to consist of rear-wheel drive in conjunction with a manageable vehicle weight. For the first time ever, it is possible to order a lightweight construction package from the GTS, which in the best case saves up to 25 kilograms. Those who also order the ceramic brake (PCCB) also save extra pounds. It doesn’t have to be the latter, however, because the standard high-performance steel brake, also adopted from the 911 Turbo (combined fuel consumption: 12.3-12.0 l / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 279-271 g / km²), decelerates itself extremely vehement on the racetrack.
Lightning-fast 8-speed PDK
An electronically controlled, fully variable differential lock on the rear axle (mechanical with the 7-speed manual switch) then increases traction at the exit of the curve. An additional guarantee for a light-footed driving experience is the very precise and feedback-strong Power Steering Plus, which lets you always feel what is going on with the front axle. The standard 8-speed PDK is so fast when shifting that it almost looks as if it anticipates the driver’s next maneuver. Alternatively, a manual 7-speed gearbox – price-neutral – can be ticked, but this clearly has a disadvantage compared to the 6-speed hand mixers from the GT models and the PDK boxes.
Meanwhile, the Cabriolet and Targa variants take the GTS idea a little ad absurdum. The additional weight of the cloth cap variant is apparently less compatible with the turbo chassis used. The convertible rolls more ruggedly and lets transverse joints shine through more clearly. The Targa GTS, on the other hand, only gets the chassis from the regular Targa 4S.
Black and red are all my colors
Visually, all GTS models rely on the Sport Design package, which is also available for the regular Carrera, but which has been expanded to include specific features at the front and rear. The outer GTS trim is still characterized by black accents, while the high-quality interior has been supplemented by red decorative elements.
Sports seats Plus with Race-Tex covers are included as standard, as is the Sport Chrono Package. On the other hand, CFRP full bucket seats, known from the GT3, are optional and included in the lightweight construction package. The Porsche Communication Management System, PCM for short, has meanwhile been upgraded to version 6.0, which enables easier operation and the mirroring of devices with Android Auto. On the other hand, the digital speedometer, whose external displays are hidden by the steering wheel rim, is still not the ultimate answer.
First conclusion
The fact that the 911 Carrera GTS can now park by itself using the remote parking function should remain a side note at the end of the day. Because the main focus is on the driving chapter. Even without rear-axle steering, without active roll stabilization, the GTS is extremely agile on the road and can be converted into a super sports car or a long-distance racer at the push of a button. The 480 hp turbo boxer stands well in the forage, the 8-speed PDK thinks for the driver. Another argument that should speak for the Carrera GTS is its price. At least 140,981 euros mean that you save a significant 48,000 euros on the 911 Turbo. The GT3 also remains around 30,000 euros more expensive. (Text: Thomas Vogelhuber | Pictures: Manufacturer)
