A mere few weeks ago, we were praising the everyday characteristics of the Porsche 911 Carrera, a car we thoroughly enjoyed testing. Porsche have since then upped the ante by introducing the GTS variant of the 911 Carrera to the African market, one that utilises hybrid technology, resulting in better efficiency but most importantly, more performance.
Traditionally, the GTS variants in Porsche’s lineup have always been the sweet spot in the range, providing the right level of performance matched with subtle external changes to differentiate the model between itself and its siblings. The same applies to the new 911 Carrera GTS, with the difference being that the external changes are based on functionality.
For instance, the front fog lights have been incorporated into the headlights, creating more cooling space for the vehicle. The front bumper also has active air flaps which open and close, again for better cooling. As a result, owners of the new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS will be happy to know that the styling differences between their car and another 911, are based on science and engineering, all for the betterment of the driving experience.
Besides the rear exhaust placement changes and the fully digital instrument cluster, the most important difference between the standard 911 Carrera and the GTS is what lies behind the passenger seats, the engine. Porsche have installed a completely new turbocharged flat 6 engine in the GTS, one that is bigger at 3.6l compared to the standard Carrera’s 3.0l and overall angrier, thanks to the implementation of hybrid technology.
Porsche has a reputation for doing things differently and they’ve maintained that reputation in the development of the GTS’s T Hybrid system. Whilst the setup does reduce emissions from the engine, helping the brand stay in line with government legislation for car makers, the primary purpose for the use of hybrid technology, was added performance.
In a nutshell, Porsche have utilised a large 400V battery positioned at the front of the vehicle for better weight distribution, to power two electronic motors; one in the gearbox and one in the turbocharger. The electronic motor in the turbocharger is the most fascinating, as it pre-spools the turbocharger to mitigate any turbo lag, creating near instant and linear power delivery.
As a result, the GTS feels more like a normally aspirated Porsche in terms of the way it reacts in both lower and higher speeds. The GTS also uses a large single turbocharger configuration due to the hybrid technology, as opposed to the twin turbo setup in the standard Carrera. The T-Hybrid system completely transforms the driving experience as you can cruise in a higher gear, without the need to change down as much because the car reacts quicker.
Speaking of quicker, the GTS’s power jumps dramatically to a healthy 398kW/610Nm, making it much faster than its 911 Carrera sibling. 0-100km/h is taken care of in 3.0 seconds which is definitely supercar fast. That performance doesn’t compromise the 911’s ability to cruise though. Whilst the large 20-inch front wheels communicate well with you and the ginormous 21-inch rear wheels make you feel planted on the road, you never feel uncomfortable in the car, that everyday sportscar character we appreciated in the standard Carrera is still there. The only difference is the levels of noise in the cabin as the sport exhausts in the GTS are notably louder compared to the standard 911, but personally I feel it adds to the thrill of the driving experience.
In my opinion, the GTS is a variant that will be enjoyed most by those who prioritise performance over everything else. It still does what a 911 should do, but only much faster and more immediate. Being 10mm lower than the standard 911 also means the GTS feels more locked in on the road, prowling the streets ready to pounce on an apex.
The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is available for purchase in South Africa with a starting price of R3 525 000 and is available at various authorised dealers and distributors across Africa. Contact your local Porsche dealer to enquire.
Francisco Nwamba has spent over a decade at the intersection of torque and storytelling. With a sharp pen and an even sharper eye for detail, he’s written for top-tier titles including Top Gear South Africa, traversing the globe to test the world’s most coveted machines on-road, off-road, and occasionally off-script. As the former host of Ignition GT on DStv, he brought horsepower to the small screen, reviewing vehicles and interviewing guests with the charm of a car whisperer in cufflinks. Francisco brings luxury motoring to life with nuance, humour, and a little tyre smoke when necessary.
