Living the Porsche GTS life

It is not just mere transport. A Porsche GTS is a range of vehicles that is built for motoring enthusiasts who understand real driving dynamics and the pleasure that can be had from a car that handles as well as it sounds and want the best from their cars on a daily basis. But already back in 1963Porsche already understood how to make this claim a reality in its 904 GTS – a street-legal racing sports car. It brought car racing technology to the road so that it could be experienced in everyday driving.

The Porsche Cayman GTS. Picture: Supplied

And today the GTS family consists of a full nine models in total, from the Boxster, to the Cayman, to the 911, to the Panamera right up to the Cayenne SUV. And to drive the point home about just how special these cars are, Porsche SA gave us the opportunity to sample the full GTS range on offer through the mountain passes of the Black Forest just outside Stuttgart. I can tell you that there is nothing quite as special as driving a Porsche GTS fast and hard on a demanding and winding road. The handling, the throttle response, the brakes and the sound bouncing off the side of the mountain is something that every petrol head has to experience at least once in their life.

Compared to the S models of each model series, the GTS versions have more power along with specific engine tuning and other engine modifications that allows for even quicker throttle response and improved torque delivery with further help from the Sport Chrono Package and Sport Plus button for lightning fast gear changes and the addictive snap, crackle and pop of the obligatory throttle blips on the downshifts.

Porsche 911 Carera GTS. Picture: Supplied

But straight line pace is only part of the package, even more impressive is the level of dynamics and grip on offer. During development of the GTS model series the developers in Weissach focus on even sportier tuning of the various chassis components, which provide for greater cornering stability and traction.

The adaptive Porsche Active Suspension Management System (PASM), which comes as standard, lowers the ride height by 10 to 20mm for even better traction and more precise turn-in characteristics while cornering. In addition, the rear differential lock of the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system, which is standard in some models, improves turn-in characteristics and steering precision.

The larger sized brakes of the GTS models, which are model dependent, provide first-class deceleration values, even when subjected to high thermal loads over long periods of time on the road or racetrack. As a result, all GTS models combine high engine power with the precise handling that is typical of sports cars. The GTS models also appeal with their passionate character. Both the exterior and interior exude sports car flair – not to mention the standard sport exhaust system. The exteriors of all GTS models are distinguished by an independent front apron with a sporty design and their sport exhaust system with black tailpipes. The passionate character of the GTS models is also accentuated by side sills that are more flared, GTS side badges and black painted wheels.

The 1963 Porsche 904 GTS. Picture: Supplied

The interior also contributes to the intensive sports car flair. The standard sport seats – with their more pronounced lateral supports – wrap around you and keep you firmly in one place during the hardcore driving these cars are capable of. The middle panels of these sport seats are trimmed in Alcantara, as are the SportDesign steering wheel and gear lever.

In addition, numerous GTS badges on the door sills, the info display of the instrument cluster and the PCM monitor all let you know you are driving a GTS. Whether it is a Boxster or Cayenne, 911 or Panamera, all GTS versions combine best-in-class driving dynamics with exclusive equipment features that can be appreciated both on the circuit racetrack and during everyday drives.

Boxster GTS
GTS specifications are an ideal match for this lightweight mid-engine sports car. In its model series, they make the two-door roadster an even more precise and sharper sports car.
The sporty tuning of its adaptive PASM suspension harmonises excellently with the perfectly balanced chassis. The powerful 243kW / 370Nm grumpy sounding boxer engine not only delivers impressive driving performance figures; it also appeals with its unique sound.

Cayman GTS
This mid-engine sport coupe has 7kW more than the Boxster GTS and comes in at 250kW / 380Nm. Its other typical GTS features are identical with those of the Boxster GTS.

The Porsche Cayman GTS. Picture: Supplied

911 Carrera GTS
The GTS models of the 316kW / 440Nm 911 model series – as Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa versions – fill the gap between the S models and the 911 GT3 race sports car in terms of power and driving dynamics. You can choose from three body versions. With the exception of the Targa 4 GTS, they are all available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Customers can also choose between a seven-speed manual transmission and the PDK dual clutch transmission.

Porsche 911 Carera GTS. Picture: Supplied

Panamera GTS
Gran Turismo Sport – no vehicle satisfies the requirements of a sporty Gran Turismo better than the Panamera. As a 324kW / 520Nm GTS, the Panamera takes on the form of a perfect luxury sports car. It combines the best transverse dynamics in its class with the extensive comfort and convenience features of a premium saloon.

The Porsche Panamera GTS. Picture: Supplied

Cayenne GTS
The new downsizing engine in the Cayenne delivers greater power and better driving performance than the one in the previous model. At the same time, its fuel economy has been improved significantly.

The Porsche Cayenne GTS. Picture: Supplied

The Cayenne GTS rounds bends at a high rate of speed like no other SUV. The sporty interior outfit is also a perfect match for the driving dynamics master among SUVs. The Cayenne GTS delivers everyday practicality and unalloyed ride comfort as well as maximum transverse dynamics – thanks to the sporty tuning of its PASM chassis – all with the same virtuosity.

The Porsche Cayman GTS. Picture: Supplied