New to the range is the GTS’ 4,0-litre twin-turbo V8

brawny 404 kw Turbo, the GTS offers powerful performance from its 338 kw twin-turbo V8, along with the promise of nimble handling thanks to a specifically tuned chassis, and a black-accented styling package echoing its dynamic talents.

The GTS takes the starter’s orders wearing model-specific black-accented trim including black Sport Design side skirts, side-window strips in high-gloss black and front doors bearing GTS lettering. On the rear of the car, there’s black Sport Design lower trim and the Porsche logo and model name feature the hallmark colour, as do the two sets of tailpipes in the standard sports exhaust system. The LED taillamps also have a dark tint.

Inside, the GTS gets 18-way power-adjustable sports seats with a memory package. The seats are trimmed in leather with Alcantara centre panels (the door armrests, sun visors, headliner and pillars are also trimmed in this tactile material). Standard equipment furthermore includes a heated multifunction sports steering wheel, gearchange paddles and GTS logos on the door entry sills, rev counter and head restraints.

New to the range is the GTS’ 4,0-litre twin-turbo V8 that transmits its 338 kw and 620 N.m of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The chassis has been revised and, along with adaptive air springs with three-chamber technology and a wide spring rate, the suspension has been lowered by 10 mm and the Porsche Active Suspension Management system has been given a sportier tune.

The GTS comes standard with Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package that includes a rotary mode switch to shift between four driving modes (normal, sport, sport plus and individual) and a sport response button located in the middle of the mode switch. Press this and you get maximum power potential for 20 seconds, with more direct engine response and a more dynamic shifting map for the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The first part of the launch held on the small island Emirate of Bahrain provided little opportunity to explore the GTS’ athletic abilities as rough roads and vigilant law enforcement kept the assembled press

clockwise from top left The beautifully constructed cockpit is finished in Alcantara; 18-way adjustable seats are standard; black-accented trim package comprises dark sills, window strips in gloss black and darkened exhaust outlets (which let out a fruitier note).