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The Porsche 911 is one of the most iconic sports cars ever made. With its distinctive rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, and trademark "hump" in the hood, it has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 1963. There has been some interesting news along the way – turbocharging, water-cooled engines, and variable valve timing are now commonplace technology on 911s – but for the most part, this is the same car that first turned heads more than 50 years ago. Indeed, there's something to be said for continuity when it comes to performance cars. No other brand has managed to stick with a winning formula for so long. And while purists will always argue that change is not always a good thing, modern advances in technology have allowed Porsche engineers to keep improving the driving experience without compromising on signature elements like lightweight, natural agility, and impressive performance.

A Brief History of the Porsche 911

The first 911 – known as the "Neunelfer" in its native Germany, or simply "the nine-eleven" in English – was powered by a 2-liter flat-six engine that produced around 100 hp. The top speed was about 130 km/h. Even by the standards of the early 1960s, that was not a particularly impressive performance, and it showed why the car needed more power. In the early 1970s, Porsche introduced the 911 "S," which featured a larger engine with bigger valves, a more aggressive camshaft, and a higher compression ratio. New, larger rubber bumpers were needed to clear the increased width of the engine, and the added power resulted in a top speed of 170 km/h.

2016 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS

The 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is the latest iteration of one of the most celebrated performance-oriented sports cars ever made. The GTS nameplate has been applied to a few select 911 models over the years. Altogether, the 911 Carrera 4 GTS doesn't differ that much from the standard Carrera 4. You'll find a larger rear spoiler, a wider rear track, and a slightly more aggressive-looking front end. Inside, the GTS gets a few extra features, like an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a carbon-fiber-covered gearshift knob. It has a standard six-speed manual transmission, but the GTS also comes with an optional Sport Chrono package and Porsche's 7-speed dual-clutch Sport-shift transmission (PDK). The Carrera 4 GTS can also be equipped with a 4-wheel-drive system, but it is only available with the PDK transmission.

The 911 Carrera's History

The 911 Carrera is a line of high-performance variants of the Porsche 911, and to many enthusiasts, it represents the ultimate iteration of the model. The Carrera was first introduced in 1963 and was one of the earliest sports cars to come with a fully automatic transmission. The 911 Carrera came with a number of changes from the standard model, including lighter wheels and a stiffer suspension, but the most significant difference was under the hood. The Carrera was powered by a 2.0-liter engine that was 10% lighter than the standard 2.0-liter unit. The car was also a bit longer to accommodate the larger engine, and it retained the same wheelbase as the standard 911. Porsche only built 500 examples of the first 911 Carrera, but it became a mainstay in the 911 lineup over subsequent years.

So What Makes the Carrera 4 So Special?

The 911 Carrera 4 is the all-wheel-drive version of the standard Carrera. It features an "intelligent" all-wheel-drive system that only sends power to the rear wheels in situations where it's needed – and only when it's needed. Like many modern sports cars, the system can also send power to the front wheels when it's appropriate – for example, when the road is slippery or when you're trying to improve your car's turning radius. The default setting is rear-wheel drive, and Porsche says that 90% of 911 Carrera 4 drivers use that setting on a regular basis.

New Engine, New Transmission, New Suspension

The 911 Carrera 4 GTS gets a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine that puts out 420 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It also gets a modified version of the 991.2 Carrera's 7-speed manual transmission. This new gearbox is shorter, has a wider gate angle (the angle at which the shift lever is positioned), and features shorter shift times compared to the 991.1 Carrera, making it easier to swap cogs quickly. The new 911 Carrera 4 GTS also comes with a reworked suspension that is more forgiving than its predecessor while still providing impressive handling.

Acceleration That Will Blow Your Mind

The 911 Carrera 4 GTS comes with a rear-wheel-drive system that can be switched to an all-wheel-drive, but the latter setting is best saved for rainy (or snowy) days. The single biggest difference between the Carrera 4 and its rear-wheel-drive sibling is the way each car launches from a standstill. The all-wheel-drive system actually adds about 20-30 lbs to the overall weight of the car, so the 911 Carrera 4 GTS is about 10% heavier than the Carrera 4. That extra weight is offset by the fact that the GTS gets an extra 33 horsepower and 16 lb-ft of torque thanks to the new engine. The result is a car that is quicker off the line.

Handling That Will Grip Your Soul

Thanks to the improved suspension and wider rear track, the 911 Carrera 4 GTS feels more agile than the outgoing model. The GTS is even more engaging than the Carrera 4 because it comes with the Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) turned off by default. You can turn it back on if you're a novice driver, but the GTS is best enjoyed with PSM turned off. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM) is also set to "Sport" mode, which provides a slightly firmer ride but still allows the GTS to be very comfortable on the highway. After all, this is still a daily-drivable car.

Breaking vs. Cornering: Which Is More Important?

There's a lot of debate among Porsche enthusiasts about which is more important: how well a car brakes or how well it corners? The truth is that a great car will excel at both – and the 911 Carrera 4 GTS definitely falls into that category. The GTS features massive 15.4-inch front and 14.8-inch rear carbon-ceramic disc brakes that will bring the car to a quick stop at high speeds. In fact, these are the biggest brakes ever fitted on a Porsche 911. They are so large because the GTS has been certified for the track, which requires the car to have brakes that can withstand heavy use.

The 911 has been around for more than 50 years, and it just keeps getting better with age. While many other sports car brands have tried to replicate the 911's looks, no other car on the road looks quite like a 911. This is the most luxurious and technologically advanced version of the 911 ever. It's the ultimate 911. It's got an all-wheel drive and a manual transmission – it's got everything.

Conclusion

When it comes to performance cars, there's no brand quite like Porsche. The German manufacturer has become a symbol of speed and engineering excellence over the years thanks to its range of high-performance sports cars. With that said, the new 911 Carrera 4 is arguably the ultimate iteration of the Porsche Driving Machine. This new model is a full 10HP stronger than its predecessor, offering up to 395HP thanks to its all-new 3.0-liter turbocharged engine. When it comes to acceleration and speed, this is the fastest-accelerating production car in the Porsche lineup. It's also the most powerful 911 ever made. 

Thanks to its high-performance turbo engine and a new active exhaust, the all-new 911 Carrera 4 offers better fuel efficiency by up to 15 percent than its predecessor when equipped with the optional PDK transmission. On top of all this, the new 911 Carrera 4 offers Porsche fans an even more engaging driving experience with its new chassis, suspension, and steering tuning. With the new 911 Carrera 4, Porsche fans get the best of both worlds: the performance capabilities of a sports car and the daily usability of a luxury sedan. Visit Porschemotorcar.com for the latest news and detailed reviews on new cars!