The Porsche 911 has undergone significant transformations throughout its history, with enthusiasts and engineers continually tweaking and refining it to create new variants that cater to diverse tastes and driving styles. One notable example is the GT2, which boasts an impressive 450 horsepower from its turbocharged engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, and intimidating presence on the road.

Fast-forward to the latest iteration of the iconic sports car, with a new variant dubbed the GTS. While it's difficult to say whether this model will be considered more or less terrifying to drive than its predecessors, one thing is certain: it has been honed to deliver exceptional performance and handling capabilities. The engine in question comes from the Carrera and Carrera S, but with a new turbocharger that produces an additional 30 horsepower, resulting in a total output of 450 brake horsepower – a figure that places it somewhere between the Carrera S and the GT3.

The GTS is available in both two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations, offering drivers a choice between different driving modes. The 4WD variant comes with a coupe body style, while the 2WD model boasts a sleeker, more aerodynamic design. Another distinguishing feature of the GTS is its adoption of the Sport Chrono package as standard equipment, which includes sport suspension that drops the car by 10mm. Furthermore, all GTS models are equipped with Porsche's Adaptive Dampers, also known as PASM, which reduces ride height by an additional 10mm and provides even more precise handling.

In terms of interior amenities, the GTS features a range of luxurious touches, including part-Alcantara, part-leather seats. This attention to detail is a hallmark of Porsche's commitment to delivering high-quality craftsmanship and refined driving experiences. One question that arises when considering the GTS is its pricing, which currently starts at around £110,000.

When it comes to testing the GTS on real-world roads, one can't help but be impressed by its exceptional handling capabilities. In a standard mode, the suspension provides a comfortable ride that's still firmly connected to the road, making it an ideal choice for everyday driving duties. However, with the sports dampers engaged, the car becomes even more responsive and engaging, as if waiting for you to unleash its full potential.

The steering system of the GTS has undergone significant improvements in recent years, and it's now capable of delivering a truly exceptional driving experience. Porsche's Electric Steering System has been refined to provide just the right amount of self-centering, response, and feedback – a true masterclass in dynamic handling. When put through its paces on winding roads like those found in Wales, the GTS is nothing short of astonishing, with a turn radius that's roughly 2.5-2.6 times its lock-to-lock distance, making it an absolute joy to drive.

Of course, no discussion of the GTS would be complete without acknowledging its turbocharged engine, which is now drawing power from a new unit with slightly different characteristics than those found in the Carrera S. While some may miss the naturally aspirated engines that came before, this new setup provides a welcome compromise between performance and efficiency – with an impressive 15.5 mpg on the combined cycle.

So, when it comes to deciding whether the GTS offers more bang for your buck than its rivals, such as the Audi R8 or McLaren 570, one must consider their own priorities as a driver. If you're looking for raw speed and agility above all else, the latter may still be the better choice. However, if you prefer a more refined driving experience that's equally capable on both twisty roads and the track – without having to sacrifice too much in terms of everyday usability – the GTS is certainly worth considering.

In conclusion, the Porsche 911 GTS represents an excellent sweet spot within the range, offering an exceptional blend of performance, handling, and luxury features at a relatively affordable price point. With its 450 horsepower turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, and refined steering system, this variant is sure to delight drivers who crave excitement without sacrificing comfort or practicality – making it an absolute must-test for anyone considering joining the 911 ranks.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthere was once a version of the 993 Porche 911 called the GT2 it had 450 horsepower it's turbocharged engine re whee drive and it was considered slightly terrifying to drive quickly now there is a new 450 horsepower turbocharged variant of the latest 911 is called the GTS this time I think it might be honed a little bit more delicately the entire history of the 9/11 has had scientists and buffins and Engineers tweaking it and working on it and thinking about it and honing it now it gets the 3 l turbocharged engine from the Carrera and Carrera S but a new turbo gives it 450 break that is what 30 more than the standard Carrera S it's got 10% more torque think of it somewhere between the Carrera S and the GT3 and there are other changes too you can have it in two or four-wheel drive this one's four-wheel drive you can have it manual or Auto this is an auto you can have it Coupe or tarer this is a coupe though it does have a a sunroof which adds a bit of weight and don't think I'd bother me tell they all though get the wide body of the four-wheel drive cars they also all get the sport Chrono package as standard which drops the suspension by 10 mm because it gives sport suspension but then they also all have pasm por active suspension management adaptive dampers that reduces the suspension by another 10 mm so it's 20 mil lower than a Carrera S and there is a sport exhaust and there you go that is the nub of what GTS is got this lovely Alcantara wheel got part Alcantara part leather seats what's it like it's great it's really lovely all for 911s are good all right all of them the base one's good the the GT3 RS is good and everything in between is good but there are particular sweet spots during the range and I think this is really one of them I've got the suspension in standard mode now I'm on a fairly nobbly Road in Wales it's far too good for this road for the visibility for the law for a car to be satisfying and fun to drive given it's got those performance capabilities on the road demand something really quite special to this chassis and it is so good I can put the sports dampers on if you want it firms things up it keeps the body control a bit tighter actually with it on on this kind of Road just lets the suspension breathe easily body controls really tight and the steerings just beautiful it's about sort 2.5 2.6 turns between locks it's been Electric System for a little while now on a 911 and they've just got it right you it's got the right amount of self-centering it's got the right amount of response just off straight ahead and that gives you the confidence to lean on the front end and there are so many sports cars that don't get steering right and portra just does it just gets this thing right the engine's best through it through its mid-range really rest at 7 and a half but there's not really a lot of point in taking out and partly because also the fact that it's going so bleeding quickly by the time you get there you can't really take it out in most gears it's got lovely response from about 3,000 it's a little bit laggy below that inevitably and it's also that bit quieter and not quite as zingy and not quite as engaging as the old naturally aspirated engines are but that's the world we live in in that is just the way of things these days in supposed to be more efficient which is why it's doing 15 1/2 m to the gallon genius this is quite expensive car now we looking about 110 Grand but look around it what is as much fun at this price level that is also this capable I mean this is knocking on towards it's not as fast in a straight line but if you were to say to me would you rather have this or an Audi R8 B10 I'd be pretty temped with one of the I think it's more fun I think it's more engaging more often would I have one of these or a McLaren 570 you know what that's a tough one as well I think this gives almost as much back hits not as fast but there's an awful lot to like about it you just want it to be engaging you don't have to be driving it like your hair is on fire I think the GTS has become as it was before a real sweet spot real sweet spot in the range in a way that when the 993 generation 911 was out a 450 turbocharged version could only dream of being this rounded and capable just ly lovely prop start to ohthere was once a version of the 993 Porche 911 called the GT2 it had 450 horsepower it's turbocharged engine re whee drive and it was considered slightly terrifying to drive quickly now there is a new 450 horsepower turbocharged variant of the latest 911 is called the GTS this time I think it might be honed a little bit more delicately the entire history of the 9/11 has had scientists and buffins and Engineers tweaking it and working on it and thinking about it and honing it now it gets the 3 l turbocharged engine from the Carrera and Carrera S but a new turbo gives it 450 break that is what 30 more than the standard Carrera S it's got 10% more torque think of it somewhere between the Carrera S and the GT3 and there are other changes too you can have it in two or four-wheel drive this one's four-wheel drive you can have it manual or Auto this is an auto you can have it Coupe or tarer this is a coupe though it does have a a sunroof which adds a bit of weight and don't think I'd bother me tell they all though get the wide body of the four-wheel drive cars they also all get the sport Chrono package as standard which drops the suspension by 10 mm because it gives sport suspension but then they also all have pasm por active suspension management adaptive dampers that reduces the suspension by another 10 mm so it's 20 mil lower than a Carrera S and there is a sport exhaust and there you go that is the nub of what GTS is got this lovely Alcantara wheel got part Alcantara part leather seats what's it like it's great it's really lovely all for 911s are good all right all of them the base one's good the the GT3 RS is good and everything in between is good but there are particular sweet spots during the range and I think this is really one of them I've got the suspension in standard mode now I'm on a fairly nobbly Road in Wales it's far too good for this road for the visibility for the law for a car to be satisfying and fun to drive given it's got those performance capabilities on the road demand something really quite special to this chassis and it is so good I can put the sports dampers on if you want it firms things up it keeps the body control a bit tighter actually with it on on this kind of Road just lets the suspension breathe easily body controls really tight and the steerings just beautiful it's about sort 2.5 2.6 turns between locks it's been Electric System for a little while now on a 911 and they've just got it right you it's got the right amount of self-centering it's got the right amount of response just off straight ahead and that gives you the confidence to lean on the front end and there are so many sports cars that don't get steering right and portra just does it just gets this thing right the engine's best through it through its mid-range really rest at 7 and a half but there's not really a lot of point in taking out and partly because also the fact that it's going so bleeding quickly by the time you get there you can't really take it out in most gears it's got lovely response from about 3,000 it's a little bit laggy below that inevitably and it's also that bit quieter and not quite as zingy and not quite as engaging as the old naturally aspirated engines are but that's the world we live in in that is just the way of things these days in supposed to be more efficient which is why it's doing 15 1/2 m to the gallon genius this is quite expensive car now we looking about 110 Grand but look around it what is as much fun at this price level that is also this capable I mean this is knocking on towards it's not as fast in a straight line but if you were to say to me would you rather have this or an Audi R8 B10 I'd be pretty temped with one of the I think it's more fun I think it's more engaging more often would I have one of these or a McLaren 570 you know what that's a tough one as well I think this gives almost as much back hits not as fast but there's an awful lot to like about it you just want it to be engaging you don't have to be driving it like your hair is on fire I think the GTS has become as it was before a real sweet spot real sweet spot in the range in a way that when the 993 generation 911 was out a 450 turbocharged version could only dream of being this rounded and capable just ly lovely prop start to oh\n"