Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS: ‘Icon’ of the Sports Coupe World
It may not be the most comfortable ride to soccer practice, but it’ll get you there fast — and it’s sure to turn plenty of heads while doing it.
When you talk to a layperson about Porsche, they instantly think of the 911 because that is the model that most people associate with the automaker. And when you think of the 911, most Porsche aficionados probably think of the GTS. Accounting for 20 percent of all 911 sales, the GTS is by far the most popular version of the vehicle. That being said, is the GTS the best option for those wanting a sports coupe without breaking the bank, relatively speaking?
That’s the question pondered in the Chicago Tribune‘s review of the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS. While testing out the GTS, reviewer Robert Duffer goes over why the GTS is the most popular 911 out there, and if it’s a worthy addition to the incredibly popular 911 product line.
“From the first turn of the key — yes, Porsche makes drivers put the fob in a slot — firing up the twin-turbo flat-six engine puts a little goose in your bumps. The growl isn’t as hungry as its naturally aspirated predecessor, but the fire-whipping turbo note just under 2000 rpm at full throttle slingshots the car into lanes that look like sheet music ready to play play play,” says Duffer.
The GTS is one of many variations of the 911. As Duffer points out, the GTS isn’t the bare-bones 911, but it’s also not the Turbo S. The GTS falls a little in-between, attempting to give fans of the 911 the speed and comfort they want, without forking over the big bucks associated with the more premium models. So, when Duffer turns the key, he’s experiencing a 911 that’s got plenty of speed, which is enough to get the blood pumping.
Even though the GTS isn’t a Turbo S, that doesn’t mean it’s a slow vehicle. Not even close. As Duffer points out in the review, the GTS is the Carrera 4S, with a few more options. The engine gets boosted by 30 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque, thanks to larger turbochargers. The result is a 0-60 speed of 3.8 seconds, with the manual transmission.
So, what else does Duffer like about the GTS? “The handling and braking are where it’s at on the GTS. There’s simply more you can do at higher speeds, from taking a cloverleaf ramp at 60 mph or raging through an S curve at ridiculous speeds,” continues Duffer.
Of course, these points are what’s expected out of a premium sports car, especially a model that has gone through years and years of optimization. However, there was one drawback to the whole affair – it’s not a family car.
“We tested out the 2+2 seating arrangement with two tweens in the back for a weekend jaunt. While it was pleasant for no one, kids can fit in back in a pinch,” says Duffer.
Clearly, the GTS isn’t a vehicle that you’d use to cart your two kids around to go to soccer practice, but as the reviewer points out, it can work in a pinch. However, if you’re in the market for a vehicle that is meant to be more family-friendly, the GTS is probably not for you, but Porsche has a few other models that might suit your needs.
Overall, Duffer seems to love the vehicle. He sums it up best by concluding, “As a sport-optioned top-of-the-line Carrera, with a few add-ons you can’t get on Carrera, GTS upholds the Porsche proposition of being the value buy and — that word again — the icon of the sports coupe world.”
