(2015 – 2016) Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet (991) – Ultimate Guide
Like the rest of the GTS lineup, the 991.1 Carrera GTS Cabriolet is essentially a kind of 991 Greatest Hits package, hand-picking some of the more desirable components and options from the 911 range. It gets Porsche’s PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), Sport Chrono with Sport Plus, the Sport Exhaust system, and a ride height that’s roughly four-tenths of an inch lower than non-GTS models.
The 2015 Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet gets a version of Porsche’s 3.8-liter flat-six with 430 hp, hits 60 mph in 4.0 seconds equipped with the PDK (4.4 to 60 mph for the manual), and tops out at 189 mph. The added GTS power comes in part from a double-resonance intake system using a trio of flaps to route and reroute intake air for max effect. The best part is, from about 4,200 to the 7,500 rpm redline, the flat-six howls out back with a raspy resonance.
Transmissions in 911 GTS models have seven speeds, in either manual or PDK automatic flavors. They are both brilliant and in the drop-top we can make the argument that the PDK is the pick. The Carrera GTS also gets adaptive dampers that continually alter their stiffness, dynamic engine mounts which do the same, a limited-slip differential and the Sport Chrono Pack (which includes, among other things, a more focused Sport Plus mode for the dampers and stability management, launch control if you pick the PDK transmission, and a lap timer that looks a bit like a gentleman’s pocket watch on top of the dashboard).
Car Magazine: There’s around 30bhp of extra poke from the 3.8-litre flat-six, the same one found in the Carrera S but with the optional Powerkit (polished ports, altered intake manifold and fiddled-with engine management software) fitted as standard to take its output to 430 bhp.
When adjusted for their additional features, the new top models are attractive in price as well. A number of options are included as standard, such as bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and the sport exhaust system for unmistakable GTS sound. The driver and front passenger also sit in an exclusive Alcantara interior with leather-trimmed sport seats whose centre panels are made of Alcantara as on the other GTS models by Porsche.
The exteriors of the new 911 cars – like all GTS models by Porsche – differ significantly from the other Carrera models. All models have the 911 Carrera 4 body with wide-flared rear wheel arches and a wide track. Also standard are 20-inch wheels with centre wheel locks, which are painted in an exclusive matt black. Accentuating the front end are special trim elements and smoked bi-xenon headlights. Black trim strips on the customised GTS air intake screen and black chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes characterise the rear of the GTS.
Car Magazine: the GTS Cab feels one incredibly sharp, composed machine, with barely a hint of flex or shimmy through its roofless shell.
Pictures
Press Release
‘Gran Turismo Sport’ models offer outstanding levels of Porsche performance
Porsche today announces the second generation of the 911 Carrera GTS, ahead of its arrival in showrooms this November. It will join the acclaimed Boxster GTS, Cayman GTS and Panamera GTS in the range of sports cars from Stuttgart.
Each of the four new 911 Carrera GTS models – a Coupé and a Cabriolet, available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive – build on the established core values of the iconic rear-engined 911 by adding further technical features to generate even higher levels of dynamic performance and driving enjoyment.
Under the rear engine lid lies an evocative flat-six power unit, tuned to develop 430 hp, an increase of 30 hp over the Carrera S. This is combined with the Sport Chrono package offering dynamic engine mounts, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damper system which lowers the car’s ride height by ten millimetres.
Improved efficiency has also led to quicker acceleration and higher top speeds, and Combined fuel consumption figures remain unchanged from the favourable level of the S models. For example, when combined with the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox, the 911 Carrera GTS can return 32.5 mpg and also sprint from zero to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds (Cabriolet: 4.2 seconds). With the standard seven-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, a top speed of 198 mph is possible.
The exteriors of the new 911 Carrera GTS – like other GTS models – differ significantly from the other Carrera models. All versions feature the 911 Carrera 4 body with wide-flared rear wheel arches and a wider track. Also standard are 20-inch diameter alloy wheels with centre-lock mechanism, painted in an exclusive matt black finish. Accentuating the nose styling are special trim elements and smoked bi-Xenon headlights with the addition of the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS). The air intake grille on the rear engine lid features bespoke GTS black trim strips and black chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes add to the strong visual identity.
Further aural distinction is delivered via the standard sports exhaust system, which delivers an unmistakable GTS sound.
The driver and front passenger sit in an exclusive Alcantara interior with leather-trimmed sport seats. The centre seat panels are finished in Alcantara, as on the other Porsche GTS models.
With the addition of these new top models, the 911 Carrera range now consists of 12 sports cars at three power levels, as Coupés and Cabriolets, and in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configuration.
The new 911 Carrera GTS models are available to order from Porsche Centres in the UK and Ireland from today, with first cars arriving in showrooms during November.
911 Carrera GTS range UK RRP Irish RRP
911 Carrera GTS Coupe £91,098 €144,329
911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe £95,862 €154,152
911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet £99,602 €160,198
911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet £104,385 €167,931
Standard equipment includes black tinted bi-Xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Lighting System, sports exhaust, Sport Chrono Pack with dynamic engine mounts, leather/Alcantara interior trim, sports seats, 20-inch centre-lock alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with rear limited slip differential, 7-inch colour touch-screen Porsche Communication Management with satellite navigation, digital radio, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity, automatic climate control, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Vehicle Tracking anti-theft system, three year warranty and three year roadside assistance package.
The 911 Carrera 4 GTS models add Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive.
Customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.
The GTS lineage
Since the legendary 904 Carrera GTS of the 1960s, the letters ‘GTS’ have stood for ‘Gran Turismo Sport’ and a promise of outstanding levels of Porsche performance.
With the new model, Porsche is extending the GTS principle once more to the 911 Carrera. Like the Cayenne GTS, Panamera GTS and Boxster and Cayman GTS models already, this is a car that stands for superior driving dynamics in its segment.
The combination of letters originates from the 904 Carrera GTS, a race car dating back to 1963 that could also be registered for use on public roads. In the 1980s and 1990s, the 924 GTS and 928 GTS cultivated this principle. It was reborn in 2007 in the form of the Cayenne GTS, and was subsequently applied to the ‘Type 997’ 911 Carrera and the Panamera.
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Porsche has revealed the second generation of 911 Carrera GTS models. The GTS models are available as coupe and cabriolet versions, with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. These new models bridge the gap between the 911 Carrera S and race track tested 911 GT3. Several technical features heighten dynamic performance and driving pleasure, including the 430 horsepower engine from the Carrera S Powerkit which incorporates the Sport Chrono package and Sport Exhaust. The standard PASM active damper system lowers the ride height by 10 mm compared to the 911 Carrera.
When equipped with PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung dual-clutch transmission), the 911 Carrera GTS sprints from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds (Cabriolet: 4.0 seconds) – which is one-tenth of a second faster than the S model. Top track speeds for the GTS models range from 187 to 190 miles per hour, depending on drivetrain and transmission. Despite quicker acceleration and higher top speeds, the GTS versions retain a similar level of efficiency as the 911 Carrera S models.
Added performance and an extended range of standard features make the new models attractive in price as well. Standard equipment includes Bi-Xenon™ headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and the Sport exhaust system, which delivers an unmistakable GTS sound. The Alcantara® interior features leather-trimmed sport seats with center panels made of made of Alcantara® – a traditional feature of all Porsche GTS models.
The exterior of the new GTS models differs significantly from the other Carrera variants. All GTS versions are based on the 911 Carrera 4 body with flared rear wheel arches and a wider track.
Also standard are 20-inch center lock wheels, painted in an exclusive gloss black. Special trim elements and tinted Bi-Xenon™ headlights accentuate the front end, while black trim strips on the customized GTS air intake and black chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes distinguish the rear of the Carrera GTS models.
With the addition of the new GTS models, the 911 family now consists of nineteen sports cars which range from 350 to 560 hp. MSRP for the 911 Carrera GTS starts at $114,200, while the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet starts at $126,100. The 911 Carrera 4 GTS will have an MSRP of $120,900 in Coupe and $132,800 in Cabriolet form. A destination charge of $995 is not included in the MSRP. The four models will be available at U.S. dealers by the end of 2014.
