(2017 – 2019) Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet (991.2) – Ultimate Guide
The GTS is available in all three 911 bodystyles: Coupe, Targa and Cabriolet and as both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. All have been updated for the 991.2 generation, launched as 2017 model year cars. To build the GTS, Porsche started with a Carrera S fitted with the Carrera 4’s wider flanks and began adding the tastiest options. It winds up feeling like a bespoke model, especially with the design tweaks added to give it a distinct look.
The GTS models have more power and it go a little faster, but there are lots of particularly desirable details and specification tweaks – the joy of the Carrera GTS lies in the specs. Aficionados will spot the smoked rear lenses, black tailpipes and 20 inch alloys, the wide body and all the little things.
Revamped turbochargers with a higher boost pressure bump its 3.0-liter flat-6 up from 420 to 450 horsepower and a sport exhaust with an even louder mode available at the press of a button delivers more rumble. Cabs and Targas ride on Porsche’s Active Suspension Management adjustable dampers that drop their ride height almost half an inch (coupes have a different version of this setup and they sit a quarter of an inch lower, making the optional front axle lift a must for those with steep driveways).
A locking rear differential—mechanical with the 7-speed manual and electronic with the optional PDK dual-clutch gearbox—makes the most of that available power and improved rear brake air ducting helps bring things to a halt. Rear wheel steering is on the options list.
Motor Authority: The GTS’ flat-6 makes the most of its extra power. It’s easy to be thrown off by the fact that the now-all-turbo 911 lineup delivers all of its 405 pound-feet of torque at 2,150 rpm before tapering off at 5,000 rpm. Whereas driving a 911 used to be about revving its motor all the way to redline, acceleration is instant in any gear at just about any speed now. It’s more usable in the real world, but maybe not quite as rich in character.
Porsche really has hit its brief with the turbocharged Carrera GTS Cabriolet. It is hugely capable on the road, easy to live with on a daily basis, and come the weekend, it’s massively fast on track. For the money, and for drivers who really want just a little more 911, but without the mind-bending speed of a Turbo or uncompromising nature of a GT3, then this is the car for you. It also looks unique and has enough of its own style that it it feels special both on the outside and inside. Unique, fun and fast. Our kind of car.
Car Magazine: There’s more acceleration from lower in the rev range than the S, which marries beautifully with the sensitive and progressive throttle. The flat-six pulls hard from as little as 1500rpm, and joy of joys, there’s little indication that it’s turbocharged.
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Press Release
Faster and more capable than ever before – the new Porsche 911 GTS models
Highest performing 911 Carrera and Targa variants announced
Atlanta, Georgia.Porsche is expanding the 911 model line with five new GTS models: the 911 Carrera GTS with rear-wheel drive, the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with all-wheel drive – both available as a Coupé and Cabriolet – and the 911 Targa 4 GTS with all-wheel drive. The 3.0-liter flat-six cylinder with larger turbochargers delivers 450 horsepower, which is 30 horsepower more than the current 911 Carrera S and 20 horsepower above the previous, naturally-aspirated GTS model. All GTS variants are equipped as standard with a seven-speed manual transmission. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch transmission is available as an option.
More power, even greater performance
405 lb.-ft. of torque (37 lb-ft. more than the Carrera S) further improves acceleration and responsiveness. Maximum torque is available between 2150 and 5000 rpm. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is included as standard on all GTS models. The GTS Coupés feature the PASM Sport Suspension, which drops the ride height by 0.39 inches (10 millimeters) compared to the PASM suspension, which is standard on all 911 models including the Cabriolet and Targa variants of the GTS. The 911 GTS Coupé models accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour 0.2 seconds faster than the respective Carrera S and 4S Coupés. When equipped with the optional PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) transmission, the Carrera 4 GTS Coupé takes just 3.4 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. The GTS Cabriolet and Targa models reach 60 mph 0.3 seconds faster than the comparable Carrera S/4S Cabriolet or Targa 4S models. Top track speed of the GTS models is up to 3 mph higher, depending on the variant. The 911 GTS Coupé with manual transmission and rear-wheel drive is capable of 193 mph.
Typically GTS: Black elements accentuate the high-performance character
The GTS models distinguish themselves within the 911 model line not only in terms of technology, but also in their design: All GTS variants are based on the Carrera 4/4S body, which measures 72.9 inches (1852 mm), even on the rear-wheel-drive models. The new Sport Design front end with a spoiler lip painted in black emphasizes the high-performance character. Combined with an increased rear spoiler extension height, it reduces lift on the front and rear axle compared to the Carrera S models. Tinted tail lights, rear lid grill strips with a satin black finish and tailpipes in high-gloss black, which are part of the standard Sport Exhaust system, give the GTS a particularly striking appearance. A new black trim strip between the tail lights is featured on the rear-wheel-drive variants. A light strip between the tail lights is reserved for the all-wheel-drive models. Sport Design exterior mirrors, 20-inch center lock wheels painted in satin black, and black GTS logos on the doors represent further visual enhancements. The characteristic Targa bar, which is black with a satin finish for the first time, also gives the 911 Targa 4 GTS a very distinctive look.
New Porsche Track Precision app included with extensive standard equipment
The GTS offers a unique interior. The stopwatch of the standard Sport Chrono Package is integrated as a central component of the dashboard. The included Porsche Track Precision App has been further enhanced for the market launch of the GTS models. Its features include automatic recording as well as a detailed display and analysis of driving data for smartphones. Standard Sport Seats Plus with GTS logos on the headrests provide increased lateral support and comfort. They are fitted with a combination of leather and Alcantara® that is highlighted with a new seat stitching. Alcantara® can also be found on the standard GT Sport steering wheel, the gear lever and the armrest. The brushed aluminum interior trim is anodized with a black finish.
The 2017 911 GTS models are available to order now and are scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the United States in April 2017. The MSRP for each model is as follows:
| 911 Carrera GTS | $ 119,000 |
| 911 Carrera 4 GTS | $ 125,900 |
| 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet | $ 131,300 |
| 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet | $ 138,200 |
| 911 Targa 4 GTS | $ 138,200 |
