Opinion: Does the new 911 GTS render the 991 Carrera S useless?
I’ve just finished a week piloting a Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS around and, like driving any new Porsche 911, it has failed to disappoint in any area. It really is a very proficient bearer of the neunelfer name.
In fact it is almost too proficient at what it does. The X51 Powerkit, Sport Chrono package and Sport Design front bumper all come as standard for the £95,862 list price. And that’s without factoring in the money-can’t-buy Turbo S centre-locks or (if you buy a Carrera GTS) the wider body shell.
To get a Porsche 991 Carrera 4S up to a similar specification to a standard Carrera 4 GTS would cost £100,991. If you’re looking at spending six figures on a sports cars you’ll undoubtedly be savvy enough to save £5,000 and gain the prestigious GTS badge.
Along with its more purposeful looks, the options bestowed upon the latest Porsche 911 Carrera GTS are definitely worth the money too, providing a tangible performance gain and a greater feeling of dynamism in the car’s handling.
Considering that buyers of new Porsche 911s never scrimp on ticking the various options boxes, it seems mad to me that anyone would now walk into an OPC and willingly order a 991 Carrera S over a 991 Carrera GTS (in C2 or C4 guise).
The Carrera S has always had mystique about it, aided by the wide body era of the 993 C2S and C4S (as well as the similar Turbo-look 996 Carrera 4S). By placing it off the bottom of the 911 ladder, Porsche has always ensured that it is a model that has sold well too in both 997 and 991 iterations.
Helping the Carrera S’ cause is the fact that, for the last three generations, it has been there from day one. The 997.1, 997.2 and the 991 were all launched with a Carrera S example joining the regular 911 Carrera, giving buyers the immediate opportunity to jump one notch up the ladder.
Conversely, the 911 Carrera GTS is quickly becoming the traditional send off for a 911 generation. After launching last October, the latest GTS is soon to be joined by a vastly-facelifted ‘991.2’, featuring turbocharged engines as standard.
Therefore, for much of the model cycle, a Carrera S variant is a necessity. Yet, every time a new GTS comes along (with its excellent blend of performance and value) I can’t help but think the 911 Carrera S is rendered useless.
Do you agree with Josh? Does the new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS render its Carrera S sibling pointless? Join the debate in the comments below or head to our Facebook and Twitter pages now to share your opinion.
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