Porsche has revealed the 992-generation 911 GTS. Using the popular formula that it has developed over the past 12 years, the new GTS adds a little more power and driver focus to the core car, along with a unique look and equipment roster. Think of the 911 GTS as a steppingstone between the 992 Carrera S and the full-on 911 GT3.
Black GTS detailing for the exterior
The 911 GTS will be available in Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa styles. The latter's roof bar is finished in black satin, while all versions get that for the engine grille and model lettering, along with the spoiler lip in the Sport Design front bumper, the centre-lock nut style wheels (20-inch up front, 21-inch at the back), the exhaust outlets and the GTS writing on doors. Gloss black is optional.
Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+) LED headlights are standard, with darkened detailing, while the rear lights have a GTS-specific design.
More black inside the GTS
In a black-themed cabin, buyers of the 911 GTS will find Sport Seats Plus with electric four-way adjustment and Race-Tex microfibre upholstery for their central sections. This material is also used for the steering wheel rim, door handles and arm rests, storage compartment lid and gear lever.
If you've stuck with the manual gearbox, the lever is actually 10mm shorter than in other Carreras, to offer a more direct-feeling shift. A GT Sport steering wheel, the Sport Chrono package with mode switch, Porsche Track Precision app and tyre temperature display are also standard.
Upgrade to the GTS interior package and you choose either Carmine Red or Crayon (light grey) as an accent colour, to be applied to the seat belts and embroidered GTS lettering on the head rests, rev counter and Sport Chrono clock. This package also brings with it matt carbon trim inserts.
Oh, we nearly forgot, it looks like the GTS will be the first 911 to get the new PCM 6.0 infotainment system.
A technical makeover, too
The 911 GTS is powered by the same core 3.0-litre boxer six as the rest of the Carrera line-up, fed air by two turbochargers. In comparison to the 911 Carrera S, Porsche has liberated an extra 30hp and 40Nm of torque, bringing the peak figures up to 480hp and 570Nm, respectively. That's also 30hp and 20Nm more than the 991 GTS had, incidentally.
Buyers of the new 911 GTS can choose from a seven-speed manual gearbox or the eight-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic. Choose the latter, along with the Carrera 4 powertrain, and the 0-100km/h time is quoted as 3.3 seconds. All variants come with CO2 emissions that put them into the highest Irish motor tax band.
Opt for either Coupe or Cabriolet body styles, and the 911 GTS comes with a Sport chassis. This sits 10mm lower than the 911 Carrera S's, and gets stiffer springs, adapted shock absorbers and anti-roll bars, plus a new calibration for the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM - or adaptive damping to you and me). This setup has apparently been derived from that of the current 911 Turbo and also includes 'helper springs' for the rear axle, along with tweaks to the Porsche Stability Management (PSM - stability control to you and me) software. Incidentally, the Targa version of the 911 GTS doesn't get all of this, just PASM.
There's an upgraded brake system for the GTS, too.
Want even more?
Although it won't be available at launch of the 911 GTS, Porsche detailed the imminent arrival of a Lightweight Design package for the new car. It features lighter carbon fibre reinforced plastic full bucket seats, lightweight glass for the side and rear windows and a lightweight battery. The rear seats are also removed, adding up to a total weight saving of 25kg. Rear-axle steering is also part of this package, as are 'additional aerodynamic details,' which we look forward to seeing.
Further Porsche 911 reading
Porsche 992 Carrera S manual review
Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS review
Go to the Porsche Ireland website for Irish pricing once it becomes available.