PORSCHE 911 Carrera GTS Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

For some people, the Porsche GT3 was too much to drive it on the road, but the Porsche Carrera S was too soft. So, in 2014, the German car-makers unveiled the bridge between those two: the Carrera GTS Coupe.

Porsche 911 was on the market since the late '60s. It was the car that was on wall posters, computer wallpapers, screensavers, and smartphone backgrounds. It was a car built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Its overall shape didn't change that much since the first model appeared on the market. It grew in all sizes and it offered more and more power. When more and more race-tracks were opened for public and weekend races started to happened, more often, drivers started to look for more power and better cars. But not necessarily race cars, but cars with a racing pedigree that could have been driven on the roads.

Porsche was known as the “daily driver supercar”. It was true for most of its models. But then, some serious track-oriented cars appeared such as the GT3 or GT3 RS. But to drive one of those on public roads was harsh. The stiff suspension and almost completely stripped-out interiors didn't make them fit for a daily driver. The Carrera GTS was built for regular roads, but it had some aces in its sleeve to handle a race-track.

Its appearance was different. The smoked bi-Xenon headlights lowered suspension, and its pop-up rear wing was part of a complete street and track package. The Porsche Turbo S wheels and the carbo-ceramic brakes offered as an option steered the car toward the race-track. On top of that, the car received more power and a standard Porsche PDK (dual-clutch gearbox) for both worlds: street and tracks).

The Carrera GTS lineup was placed between the Carrera S and the Turbo range. It was the Porsche Turbo without turbochargers, and it was available as a rear-wheel-drive only.

The GTS was powered by the same engine that was installed under the limited-edition Porsche 911 Sport Classic, but it was offered with more options. It wasn't just a driver's car, it was built for the passenger as well, with more options for comfort.

From the outside, the Carrera GTS featured the same wide body as the Carrera 4. At the front, the sport design apron featured a black lip-spoiler underneath. On the sides, the sills featured the same black low side. The Carrera GTS logo was painted on the doors. In the back, the car was fitted with LED taillights and four-round exhaust pipes. The 19” light-alloy wheels with central log-nut were fitted as standard.

Inside, the Carrera GTS was not an empty shell. It was fitted with comfort features and with a choice of seats, but all of them were sport-oriented with bolstering on the outside. The three-spoke steering wheel was upholstered in Alcantara and behind there were the paddle-shifters for the PDK gearbox.

The 3.8-liter engine was the same as the one offered on the Sport Classic edition. It was a 3.8-liter unit tuned to offer 405 hp, which was more than what the GT3 offered. It was paired as standard to a 6-speed manual, while a 7-speed PDK (double-clutch) automatic gearbox was on the options list.