The Carrera GTS

GTS; Three letters with no apparent meaning, but I reckon it would be synonymous along the lines of grand tourer sports. You decide for yourself, it's anybody's guess. Why Porsche has not defined for us their special moniker is also Joe's or Harry's guess. Instead, what they represent for Porsche's line of performance cars is clear (quite) ; not top of the range but something more subtle, intermediary, and most importantly, possesses the looks of 'the top dog'.

The world was introduced to the first ever Porsche GTS, the Cayenne GTS, at the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show. It was a whole new segment for the Porsche Cayenne range, which already has quite a few models in the pack; the Cayenne, the S, and not to mention the mighty Turbo. The GTS is intentionally designed to fit in between the S and the Turbo. Century sprint time is more than the S, but less than the Turbo; horsepower, again more than the S, less than the Turbo. Torque value was on par with the S. But the more attractive proposition, strictly from the consumer's point of reference, is that the GTS looks exactly the same as the Turbo; it has the same front and rear design. Californians and English footballers were especially delighted. All hail the genius that is Porsche's marketing masterminds.

This year's Paris International Motor Show, happening early October will be graced with several significant world premiers, one of them being the all-new 911 Carrera GTS. The same GTS principle applies. This is an intermediary 911, catering for the void between the 911 Carrera S and the mighty GT3. Why any petrol-head would avoid the GT3 in the first place is Porsche Marketing's classified information, because if you have the means above the Carerra S, then the GT3 is no big deal in terms of the green paper that grows on trees. What's clear enough for the rest of us to understand is that the new Carrera GTS, is far more interesting than the Cayenne GTS, and even though it is an intermediary model, it is definitely worth your 5-second attention.

It is hailed as the sportiest Carrera in the Porsche stable, and it's got the looks of the GT3 in terms of front design. The body is wider at the rear, borrowing the stance of the Carrera 4 models, but retains rear-wheel drive for added excitement and drama. The sport bucket-seats and steering wheel are lined in alcantara, to further emphasize and differentiate it from the S, and associate it closer to the GT3.

Overall, it is fair to say that the to-be-premiered 911 Carrera GTS is an exciting offer from the guys at Zuffenhausen, albeit its humble purpose to fill a gap in Porsche's grand scheme of sports cars. What a way to fill a gap.

Look for it at the Paris Motor Show.

Links;

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/15/paris-preview-2011-porsche-911-carrera-gts/
http://paultan.org/2007/09/07/2008-porsche-cayenne-gts/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCcy48mY3hY&feature=player_embedded