When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The dealership near me has a bunch of leftover 2019 GTS models that they're offering at discount, alternatively I could find a lightly used CPO 2017 on Turbo. I've driven the GTS and loved it, but haven't been able to find a very local Turbo yet.
I'm hoping to get some advice on two questions I've seen mixed answers for.
1) Is the exhaust different on a GTS or the same as a SE equipped Turbo? One or two reviewers suggested it's louder on the GTS.
2) Are there any handling advantages to a GTS over a Turbo? Some, including my SA, claim the GTS has special chasis/suspension tuning for the best handling.
1. On a similarly equiped Turbo with the SE system, ensure that both cars have or don't have the thermal/insulated glass as that could affect the exhaust sound from inside the cabin as well.
2. Again, I have to recommend ensuring that you make sure you make a direct comparison of the lightly used Turbo's suspension options and what comes standard on the GTS. Most options are standard but there are bits and baubles that are different that come standard on one variant that are options on the other. A little homework on this goes a long way so that you don't end up missing out on something that you may truly want during your decision making process. Good luck.
To answer your question concerning suspension tuning the GTS is a firmer setup in normal mode. In normal (ie comfort) mode the GTS ride height is 10mm lower than a Turbo. In Sport + mode the GTS drops an additional 10mm and the Turbo drops an additional 20 mm. I believe the Sport + suspension setup is very similar if not identical between the two. As was mentioned above goth the GTS and Turbo models have suspension options available, PDCC w/ PTV+ and RWS. Since most people don't drive around day to day in the firmest suspension setting you have to decide if the GTS's Normal firmer, lower ride height is what you are looking for. For a large sedan such as the Panamera I prefer the wider comfort range the Turbo offers. Comfort mode is very nice for long trips with the wife. Comfort mode with the dampers set to sport is good for driving alone day to day. Sport + for those occasions when you want to hustle.
That said, some people may find the Turbo in full comfort mode to soft. They may prefer the firmer setup the GTS offers in daily driving. The following clip is from the current GTS brochure. It's good to have choices.
Thanks for the responses! That makes perfect sense on the GTS vs Turbo suspension, with the GTS being sportier in "Normal" and more or less equal in Sport Plus. My SA made it sound like the GTS is always better handling than the Turbo, but the above explanation seems more logical to me.
Good point on the insulated glass. A few of the Turbos have it and I think it would make the exahust too quiet for me.
The Turbo models I'm looking at have the sport package, some have PDCC, but none of the GTS models near me have RWS or PDCC.
Unfortunately there is only one Turbo anywhere nearby, still a bit of a drive, and that dealership doesn't have a GTS. Makes it harder to compare side by side!
Thanks for the responses! That makes perfect sense on the GTS vs Turbo suspension, with the GTS being sportier in "Normal" and more or less equal in Sport Plus. My SA made it sound like the GTS is always better handling than the Turbo, but the above explanation seems more logical to me.
Good point on the insulated glass. A few of the Turbos have it and I think it would make the exahust too quiet for me.
The Turbo models I'm looking at have the sport package, some have PDCC, but none of the GTS models near me have RWS or PDCC.
Unfortunately there is only one Turbo anywhere nearby, still a bit of a drive, and that dealership doesn't have a GTS. Makes it harder to compare side by side!
To be fair to the SA the clip from the brochure does say the GTS has a thicker rear anti roll bar. which will reduce tendency to understeer. However, if PDCC is optioned on either then that active anti-roll is a totally different system. I don't believe there is unique PDCC tuning for the GTS. The PDCC with PTV+ is a excellent option to improve driving dynamics and I recommend it highly. It does wonders on these big, heavy cars. The active torque vectoring does a nice job of helping to guide the nose as soon a little bit of throttle is applied. It's so effective I have learned to adjust my driving style to get the braking done a little sooner and go back to a light throttle before apex just to take advantage of the torque vectoring. A Turbo with PDCC is a fantastic driving car. IMO a better driving car than a GTS without PDCC.
Turbo with PDCC, PTV and RWS handles identically to a GTS specced similarly. A base turbo without suspension upgrades will handle softer. They weigh the same. GTS is slower due to the more conservative tune.
if you can get a turbo with the suspension upgrades for a reasonable up charge, get the turbo. No reason not to. Good luck!
Turbo with PDCC, PTV and RWS handles identically to a GTS specced similarly. A base turbo without suspension upgrades will handle softer. They weigh the same. GTS is slower due to the more conservative tune.
In Sport+ mode I totally agree. In comfort mode a similarly specced GTS might have a bit of an edge in handling due to the slightly lower ride height and slightly firmer spring and damper settings, at the expense of a little ride comfort.
The other thing we haven't touched on is transmission programming. In comfort mode the GTS may have a little more aggressive transmission programming than the Turbo.
I think it boils down to in daily driving in comfort mode a GTS may feel a little sportier, a little more aggressive than any of the other models. A Turbo does a pretty good job of doing the cushy lux cruiser better than the GTS. But turn up the wick and a Turbo gives up nothing to a GTS. A Turbo has a wider range of abilities.
Since the GTS no longer has the NA high reving V8 I'm not sure it offers anything over a Turbo. I would be curious that since now its basically a detuned turbo with more aggressive handling, can it be tuned to Turbo levels. I ask this in consideration of that Candy Apple looking green color that is only available on the GTS!
It is the same engine detuned and almost the same trans; Porsche (claims to have) put one weaker gear in the trans because "it doesn't need to be as strong as the Turbo" but in reality it's just to try and keep people from getting the GTS and tuning it into a Turbo. The Mamba green is available on all the cars if the configurator can be believed. To me if you have the ching the Turbo is the clear option: You turn the little dial and you got the same handling with an extra 100 hp making it a no brainer. The 4S and GTS on the other hand are a more interesting comparison because a lot of expensive options like the leather on the 4S are much less on the GTS. Depending on your options you can jump up for a small increase in price, at least small by Porsche standards.
They are two different cars. I drove and felt in love with the Panamera GTS during a Porsche experience event. I used to own the Cayenne GTS with V8 and I found the Panamera GTS even better in the sound and the shifts of Pdk absolutely perfect. But, man when I drove sometime later the PTT it was from another planet. Yes, the sound is not the same, actually is very very quite inside, but it is extremely fast, amazing car to travel and now for more than 2 yrs I am driving daily and I still like it as the first day. I never plan to buy one but I never regretted it and even my wife likes it (!!!) and loves to drive it, although it was a surprise purchase for her. Only keep in mind the running expenses Vs the GTS and the huge depreciation that has. Otherwise, is the most complete car I have driven and the best Porsche I ever owned.
depreciation is my biggest issue with these cars - especially when coming from a 911 mindset of Porsche values. The cars have big sticker prices so they have a long way to fall. From a percentage perspective - probably about in line with other premium german brands. But the cars start out 50% higher generally so the actual dollars involved is quite a bit higher. It's the price you pay for the best drivers car in the segment.
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Slideshow: Long before engineering consulting became trendy, Porsche was quietly helping other automakers build everything from supercars to economy hatchbacks.
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Slideshow: Some brands build cars. Porsche builds traditions, obsessions, and a few habits that stopped making sense decades ago but somehow became part of the charm.
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Slideshow: A small Polish tuner has reimagined the Porsche 911 Slantnose for the modern era, blending 1980s nostalgia with widebody tuning culture and serious performance upgrades.
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Slideshow: Porsche has created a Japan-only 911 GT3 Artisan Edition that blends track-ready hardware with design cues inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Slideshow: Porsche's latest electric Cayenne Coupe blends dramatic styling with supercar acceleration, turning the brand's midsize SUV into a 1,139-horsepower flagship.
GTS vs Turbo
