SPORTY PORSCHE 911 GTS DEBUTS
Pride of place in the Porsche booth at the Los Angeles Auto Show went to the all-new 911 GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, named after the FIA European Champion racing class for which it was designed).
The GTS, which brings the number of 911 derivatives to 19, sits between the Carrera and GT3 models in the hierarchy.
Befitting a GTS model, the 911 sports the wide-body design, but has been hunkered down to improve the manner in which it carves a corner. Offered in both Coupe and Cabriolet models, with rear- or all-wheel drive, the GTS is powered by the 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine from the 911 Carrera S. However, it packs an additional 30-horsepower punch, giving it a lofty 430 hp. This is enough to warp the GTS from rest to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds for the Coupe and 4.2 seconds for the heavier Cabrio.
Both models have a mind-numbing top speed of 300 km/h. To show the casual onlooker this is the GTS, the bolder look includes a bolder front end, with tinted bi-xenon headlights, tidy black accents and, at the back end, chrome-tipped exhaust tailpipes.
The visual upgrade is supported by a sports exhaust system (read: more noise when at full chat). Inside, the cabin is lavishly attired, with Alcantara wrapping just about everything, including the superior sport bucket seats. It is a show stopper to be sure.
Also announced was the news that actor-turned-racer Patrick Dempsey will run the full season in the FIA World Endurance Championship program in 2015. He will drive a Porsche 911 RSR.
Porsche also introduced two updated versions of its Cayenne. The base Cayenne offers more standard features to go along with a 10-horsepower boost to its 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6. The engine is mated to a new eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission that has auto stop/start and coasting functions.
Other notable changes are the bixenon headlights with four-point LED daytime running lights, a new multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, bucketstyle rear seats and power tailgate. Subtle changes, but changes for the better nonetheless.
The bigger news is the introduction of the Cayenne GTS. As with the base model, the GTS earns new front and rear fascias to go along with its bolder side sills and wheel arch extensions, lowered ride height, air suspension and the Cayenne Turbo’s bigger brakes with red calipers.
Where Porsche really ups the ante, however, is with the 3.6-litre, twin-turbo V6. Compared to the outgoing V8, the new turbo-six has 20 more horsepower (now 440 hp) and, more importantly, 443 pound-feet of torque, which is up by 63 lb.-ft. This gives the GTS the wherewithal to run from rest to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 262 km/h.
It also lowers the average fuel consumption by 0.9 litres per 100 kilometres, based on the European cycle.
Finally, what would a GTS be without the right sound? Porsche says the sports exhaust system, which is standard, delivers the “meaty” cacophony demanded.
Both will arrive at the end of February, with starting prices of $67,400 for the Cayenne and $108,200 for the Cayenne GTS.