2017 Detroit Motor Show: Porsche 911 GTS revealed

Where a new Porsche 911 goes a Carrera GTS version will soon follow – as is the case with the current 991 Series II and this new 331kW twin-turbo peg between Carrera S and GT3.

Globally launched this week and already on-sale in Australia, the 911 Carrera GTS costs $279,000 and $305,100 in rear-drive coupe and cabriolet guise respectively, $295,100 and $316,600 as a 4 all-wheel drive coupe and cabriolet, and $316,600 for the 4-only Targa.

In base form that represents a $26,500 increase over the 911 Carrera S, and in each case the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat six-cylinder engine leaps from 309kW/500Nm to 331kW/550Nm in the 911 Carrera GTS, the latter from 2150rpm to 5000rpm.

With the optional seven-speed PDK automatic transmission and standard SportChrono package with launch control, the 911 GTS coupe sprints from zero to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds, down from 3.9sec in the equivalent 911 Carrera S and surpassing the 3.9sec $294,325 Mercedes-AMG GT.

Meanwhile the 911 GTS allows the PDK-only, 3.8-litre naturally aspirated 911 GT3 to keep its power (3.8sec) and performance (3.5sec) crown, at $293,200.

Assisting with the sprint gains are wider 305mm rear tyres in the GTS, up from 295mm in the Carrera S.

Brace for those phat hips, too, because even the rear-driven GTS gets a wide body typically reserved for all-drive Carreras and above; along with the usual blacked-out exterior design detailing, 20-inch alloy wheels and Alcantara-clad steering wheel and touch points. Sports Plus buckets and a switchable sports exhaust are also standard.

The 911 Carrera GTS will be the last stop on the freight train of 991 Series II updates before the second round of motorsport-focused models lobbed, with the GT3 and/or GT3 RS all but confirmed to once again offer a six-speed manual transmission like the limited edition R.

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