Porsche Announces It Will Build 911 Carrera 4 GTS

Porsche, whose favorite hobby is finding more ways to splice the 911 lineup, has split off yet a new thread: the 911 Carerra 4 GTS. We thought that the recently-released GT3 RS 4.0 would be the last variant of the current 911 generation, but apparently we overlooked that the marketplace was clamoring for a GTS with four powered wheels instead of two. The Carerra 4 GTS coupe and cabriolet follow the same formula laid down by the Carrera GTS, bundling the Carrera 4S’s 23-hp power pack, 19-inch black RS Spyder center-lock wheels, GT3-like front bumper, black GT2 side skirts, a black panel in the rear valance between the exhaust outlets, and a host of interior enhancements for less money than a Carrera 4S with the power pack.

The Carrera 4 GTS, therefore, makes the same 408 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque as does the two-wheel-drive GTS, courtesy of a unique intake manifold, cylinder head, and sport exhaust system. Both the coupe and cabriolet are available with either a six-speed manual or Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. The interior is the same, too, with alcantara gracing the steering wheel, shift knob, handbrake lever, seat centers, lower dashboard, and the door panels.

Porsche, traditionally conservative with its performance estimates, claims that the trip from 0 to 60 will take 4.0 seconds for the 4 GTS coupe equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus and the PDK. Top speed is claimed to be 187 mph with the manual, and 186 with the PDK. We tested a two-wheel-drive GTS cabriolet and clocked a 0-to-60 time of just 4.0 seconds.