2017 Porsche 911 GTS: Fit for the Racetrack
‘Engineers Hit the Mark’ with ‘Roomy’ New 911, Says Forbes
More thrilling than any drug you could buy is the all-new 2017 Porsche 911 GTS, says automotive enthusiast Michael Harley, who was one of the first people to test-drive the car on public roads and a private racing circuit in Cape Town, South Africa. In his Forbes magazine review “First Drive: The 2017 Porsche 911 GTS Delivers Exquisite Tonic For Driving Enthusiasts,” Harley states that the vehicle has been “specifically configured for those who embrace the thrill and engagement of driving, but choose to do so without the brutal comprise of a pure track car.”
Offered in three body styles — the Carrera Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa — the new Porsche is a step up from current models. Harley states that the Carrera’s 3.0-liter engine has been upgraded with larger turbocharger units and more boost to develop 450 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque: 30 horsepower and 37 pound-feet more than the current S models. “The optional Sport Exhaust package, with twin center-mounted outlets in gloss back, is standard to increase the vocal note, and the engine’s idle is bumped to 850 RPM (up from 800 RPM on the Carrera S) to improve initial response,” he writes.
Another significant mechanical enhancement, Harley states, is standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which is a continuous electronic damping control system that improves both handling and ride comfort.
As far as inside the vehicle, he recommends opting for the 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats with lumbar, which offers additional lower back support. “The cabin is comfortable and roomy for a 2+2 sports car,” he says. “My six-foot two-inch frame fits well in both front seats, but the rear roosts are best for very small children or folded to make a storage deck for cargo.”
Porsche says this particular GTS will hit 192 mph if offered the chance, and Harley was given the opportunity to test that fact at the Killarney Motor Racing Complex, a 70-year-old racing circuit slightly northeast of Cape Town. After a few thrilling laps on the course, Harley surmises that, “Porsche quotes a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds with Launch Control, but my bet says it’s a tick faster.”
Summing up the experience, Harley says: “Whether touring on the road or racing on the track, Porsche’s latest 911 is a variant that effortlessly delivers impeccable duality without compromise at either end of the spectrum — its engineers hit the mark.”
