(2011 – 2012) Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet (997) – Ultimate Guide
It’s not often Porsche creates an all-new model in their 911 lineup. But the Carrera GTS is just that. It’s faster, more powerful and better looking than any other model in the Carrera family. However it’s still a little less hardcore than the 911 GT3, and a lot cheaper than the 911 Turbo.
The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS features a 3.8 litre flat-six engine which is tuned to develop 408 horsepower, that’s 23 hp more than the Carrera S manages. The engine gets its extra kick thanks to a new intake manifold which can adjust itself to allow the engine to generate more torque or more power depending on the situation, and a new sports exhaust with two dual tailpipes which produces a sound distinctive to the Carrera GTS.
The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, however the 7-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission is available as a cost option. Fitted with the manual transmission the Carrera GTS can hit 190 mph, and when equipped with the PDK option – coupled with the Sport Chrono Package Plus in Sport Plus mode the Carrera GTS can hit 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.
Despite the extra power and performance the new Carrera GTS uses the same amount of fuel as the standard Carrera S. That means 27.7 mpg is attainable, and CO2 emissions are rated at 240 g/km.
From the outside, the Carrera GTS Cabriolet featured the same wide body as the Carrera 4 Cabriolet. At the front, the sport design apron featured a black lip-spoiler underneath. On the sides, the sills featured the same black low side. The Carrera GTS logo was painted on the doors. In the back, the car was fitted with LED taillights and four-round exhaust pipes. The 19” light-alloy wheels with central log-nut were fitted as standard. Also helping mark the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS out is the SportDesign front bumper with spoiler edge painted in black, special side skirts also in black, and the Carrera GTS badging on the doors and rear lid. The panel between the two tailpipes on the rear apron is also finished in black.
Inside, the Carrera GTS Cabriolet was not an empty shell. It was fitted with comfort features and with a choice of seats, but all of them were sport-oriented with bolstering on the outside. The three-spoke steering wheel was upholstered in Alcantara and behind there were the paddle-shifters for the PDK gearbox. For the infotainment unit, Porsche installed the PCM (Porsche Communication Management), with iOS compatibility. For Android users, the car-manufacturer offered a special application. The power-roof could open or close the top in 20 seconds at speeds up to 50 kph (31 mph). The three-spoke ‘SportDesign’ steering wheel is not only standard, it is exclusive to the new 911 Carrera GTS models. It is both minimalist and functional, for even sportier appeal.
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