2015 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS arrives with 430 hp, speed to spare

While every car donning the Porsche crest is, by virtue of its maker, pretty special, when you see the letters “GTS” on the back, you can assume that said Porsche is a particularly wonderful creature. Whether it be a Boxster, Cayenne, or anything else, the GTS moniker indicates an extra dollop of performance even over the base and/or “S” models, but which don’t necessarily go crazy with turbo engines and be-spoilered bodies. They often are among the most visceral models in the lineup, and as expected Porsche has dropped its latest GTS models into the 911 Carrera line for 2015.

This isn’t the first time Porsche has offered 911 Carrera GTS, of course, but this marks the first time it has appears in the current “991” generation of the car. Available in both coupe and convertible body styles in either rear-drive Carrera or all-wheel drive Carrera 4 forms, the Carrera GTS is basically a 911S/911 4S with many of its performance options made standard—most notably the Power kit, which boosts output from 400 hp to 430 hp. The rorty Sport Exhaust system is also part of the GTS package, as is the nifty Sport Chrono package with a lap timer, when the PDK transmission is ordered. Road stance and handling improve as well, thanks to standard PASM active dampers that drop the body 10 mm closer to the wheels than the standard 911 Carrera.

Thus equipped, Porsche claims that the Carrera GTS coupe can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds when equipped with the PDK dual-clutch transmission, with the cabriolet taking a still-impressive four seconds flat, times that Porsche claims are 0.1 seconds quicker than respective Carrera S models. Porsche purists many opt for the seven-speed manual, though if other Carrera models are any indication, stick shift models may lose a couple tenths of a second as they sprint to freeway speeds. At the top end, the fastest GTS model can touch 190 mph.

As nice as the aforementioned performance improvements may be, as with most Porsches, the Carrera GTS models could (and likely will) sell on looks alone. Indeed, it can be argued that the 911 GTS models are the most tastefully aggressive-looking of the 19 models in the 2015 911 Carrera range. Regardless of transmission and drive wheels, all GTS models use the Carrera 4’s saucy wide-body rear end and wider rear track, and are further kitted out with a bespoke, GT3-like front air intake with black vanes, darkened bezels around the dynamic bi-xenon headlamps, a black grille over the rear-mounted engine, and a black insert in the rear bumper into which the GTS’ signature quad black chrome exhaust tips are nestled. Perhaps best of all is the set of gorgeous 20-inch, center-lock wheels stuffed into the wheel wells. Inside, the GTS models are generously outfitted with nappy Alcantara on the seats and steering wheel.

Porsche claims that these new models bridge the gap between the $99,895 911 Carrera S and the $131,350 track star 911 GT3, and alas, with a starting price of $115,195 (including destination) for the 911 Carrera GTS coupe, it appears that it indeed is the case. The 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet starts at $126,100, while 911 Carrera 4 GTS coupe and convertible models come in at $120,900 and $132,800, respectively. Heady pricing, yes, but at least lots of go-fast goodies are included. All GTS models are expected to be in dealerships by the end of the year.