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Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet

Verdict on ultimate 911 drop-top

Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet front track

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Otis Clay

April 2011

With a brand new 911 just around the corner, the GTS is a compilation of the current Porsche supercar’s greatest hits! 

It ticks all the right boxes, with the Carrera 4’s wider rear end, a 22bhp power hike for the 3.8-litre engine and classic rear-wheel-drive handling. And now we’ve tried the Cabriolet on UK roads, to see how it compares to the coupé.

Adding a fabric folding hood increases the kerbweight by 95kg. As a result, it’s two-tenths of a second slower from 0-62mph, at 4.6 seconds. The chassis also sacrifices some of its stiffness, and although you can’t feel the car flexing and shaking, the steering isn’t as sharp as in the coupé.

What you get on top of the standard Carrera S Cabriolet is a track widened by 44mm, plus bodywork to match. The engine is uprated to 402bhp, while the sports exhaust adds a throatier note when you squeeze the throttle. The GTS also runs on 19-inch RS Spyder wheels, painted black with a silver rim, and wears GTS logos on its flanks and door sills.

With its wide stance and black-on-black colour scheme, our car certainly turned some heads – especially with the roof down. There’s more to the GTS than looks, though. It’s still a beautifully engineered machine built for driving fast. With the roof stowed, the exhausts emit a spectacular growl, while the engine feels muscular throughout the rev range. 

The sports suspension has two modes, the softer of which is comfortable enough for long-haul drives. But in its firmer setting, the GTS carves through bends, making use of the huge grip from its wide rear tyres.

The six-speed manual box in our car had a wonderfully light action which made flicking through the gears part of the experience, not a chore. If you can stretch to it, though, we’d opt for the £2,472 seven-ratio twin-clutch PDK, which provides the same excitement in manual mode, but has a full auto setting, for relaxing cruising. It’s a dual personality that sums up the GTS Cabriolet perfectly.

For an alternative review of the latest Porsche 911 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet front track
Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet rear corner
Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet gearstick
Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet wheel
Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet interior

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FIRST OPINION

    The GTS appears expensive, until you consider that it offersan extra 22bhp and additional kit for only £2,000 more than the Carrera S Cabriolet. If you’re looking for a 911, and high-speed handling isn’t a priority, then this new Cabriolet strikes a great balance between comfort, style and straight-line speed. And let’s not forget this is still a 911, and has masses of grip through bends, while sounding every inch the sports car. 
 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £85,965
    Engine: 3.8-litre 6cyl
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
    Power: 402bhp
    Torque: 420Nm
    0-62mph: 4.6 seconds
    Top speed: 190mph
    Economy: 26.2mpg
    CO2: 254g/km
    Equipment: Leather and Alcantara upholstery, sat-nav, sports exhaust, adjustable suspension, 19-inch alloys, air-conditioning
    On sale: Now
     
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