(2016 – 2019) Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe (991.2) – Ultimate Guide
The new downsized flat-six gets forced induction, more power and greater efficiency, just like in the basic refreshed 911 Carrera, this time mated to a four-wheel-drive system nicked wholesale from the Turbo. Apparently one in three 911 buyers opt for a four-wheel-drive variant, so this is an important car to get right.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six in the 911 Carrera 4S is good for 414hp and 368 ft lbs of torque, helping it get from 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 sec with a manual, 4.0 seconds with the PDK and 3.6 sec with the PDK and optional Sport Chrono pack, and keep going until 189 mph.
The new 911 Carrera 4S PDK is about 3 seconds faster than the old model to 124 mph and a whooping 6 seconds faster to 155 mph, showing you just how much stronger the performance is in the 991.2 vs 991.1 cars. The engine changes is a dramatic change from the old 3.8-litre naturally aspirated engine, but any concerns quickly dissipate after the briefest of encounters.
Autoexpress: It fires up with the same bassy idle as before, but plant your foot, and the revs and volume rise with real ferocity. There’s a faint trace of hesitation from the engine below 2,000rpm, yet beyond that it pulls with real force all the way up to 7,500rpm. There’s no getting away from the fact that the motor has lost the ferocious top-end crescendo, but ultimately the extra shove lower down in the rev range, along with the extra flexibility it brings, only strengthens the car’s appeal.
The all-wheel drive system operate as rear-drive in most normal driving situations. When Porsche Traction Management (PTM) detects or anticipates slippage, it engages a clutch, directing some of the available torque to the front axle. Porsche says that more torque than ever before can be directed forward in the 991.2.
Car and Driver: Mashing the throttle on corner exit rarely results in wheelspin. You have to really provoke this car into a drift. Don’t get us wrong, the C4S will go all Dukes of Hazzard on you if prodded, but its general demeanor is subdued.
If you are looking for a 991.2 Carrera 4S, we recommending looking for one with the Sport Package. It was a $6300 option and came with SportDesign mirrors, the Sport Chrono package, a two-mode sport exhaust, and the GT Sport steering wheel. Most importantly, it also comes with rear-axle steering and that totally transforms the agility of the Carrera 4S. Worth the money. Just as AWD can mask a driver’s shortcomings, all-wheel steering can transform a chassis, improving stability in high-speed corners and quickening yaw response (how quickly the car turns) in slower corners. It works well. The harder you push the 911, the better it gets. It’s such a finely balanced car already, and the addition of four-wheel drive not only delivers unflappable traction but also allows you to really deploy all of the performance whatever the conditions.
As expected, the 991.2 Carrera 4S is all about traction. Unsticking this car is virtually impossible. If you want something for bad weather and cold climates, but you still want the performance numbers to show off, this is the 911 for you. Its explosive performance, great soundtrack and exceptional usability are what really stand out against the rest of the lineup.
Porsche’s new infotainment interface is standard here, including navigation, and the system features Apple CarPlay integration. It is many factors better, both in terms of appearance and execution, than the interface it replaces.
Autocar: Not a purist’s 911, but for those after shock and awe tempered with real everyday ease of use, the C4S with PDK ‘box is utterly brilliant
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