LA show: Porsche 911 GTS launched

PORSCHE has taken the number of variants of its current 911 to a dizzying 19 with the launch of the almost-range-topping GTS at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 911 GTS (Gran Turismo and Sport) represents the penultimate performance Porsche, filling the almost-invisible-to-the-naked-eye gap between the Carrera S and the GT3. Basically it’s the best road-going 911 you can buy without sacrificing your spinal column and feeling compelled to get a racing licence.

The last GTS 911 was an absolute weapon of a car, possibly the greatest 911 ever made – in this Porschephile’s humble opinion – so these are big boots to fill. Porsche hasn’t held back, tweaking the new version’s 3.8-litre engine to provide 316kW (only slightly less than the previous-generation 911 GT3 at 320kW) and 440Nm.

The GTS badge will be worn by both coupe and cabriolet variants, with the roofed version hitting a top speed of 306km/h after smashing the 0-100km/h dash in 4.0secs flat. Thankfully, it’s available with either PDK or a manual gearbox.

Joining the latest 911 on stage in LA was another GTS, a Cayenne version, which also replaces a weapon of a car.

The new super SUV is powered by a twin-turbo 3.6-litre engine making 324kW and 600Nm, and can haul its considerable bulk to 100km/h in 5.2secs. Lowered by 24mm and body-kitted out, it also looks seriously mean and will frighten hell out of soccer mums everywhere, particularly those lucky enough to own one.

Wheels is off to drive the new 911 GTS in California tomorrow – watch this space for our review.