If you're an avid Porsche enthusiast, you'll know that a Porsche 911 just isn't a 911. Even stemming back to its roots in the 1960's- unless you have a 1963-68 early SWB (short wheel base) car, you don't have just a 911.
911T, 911E, 911S, 911L, 911RS- are just some of the models that tore-up the roads 40 years ago; soon to be followed by the 911 SC ("Super Carrera"), then the 911 Carrera 0f the 1980's. Come 1990- the 911 wasn't even a 911; it was a 964, in 1994- a 993 followed by 996 and 997, water-cooled for the 21st Century.
Now the number 911 is back, but it's just a marketing brand. To confuse matters even more- the 911 is available in some 20 different models!
If you thought things were confusing in the 60's & 70's- they're even more puzzling now...
Porsche’s venerable sports car classic, the Carrera- also known as the internal Type 911 now comes in no fewer than 20 different iterations- ranging from the most basic Carrera Coupe, starting at just under $78,000; all-the-way to the track-topping $245,000 911 GT2 RS.
Newest to the iconic breed which has been in continuous production since 1963 is the 911 Carrera GTS. The GTS is themed at being what Porsche Cars calls “clarity” of the 911 performance and evolution concept.
Priced above the $95,000 base-Carrera 4S, yet below the race-inspired $116,000-plus GT3, the new for 2011 GTS (which comes in both a Coupe and Cabriolet styles) is as Autoblog describes as “the new middle child of the ass-engined family,” reminding everyone of the unique rear-engine design that has been a hallmark for both Porsche and its iconic 911.
The recipe for the GTS is clear but it may not be for every Porsche enthusiast. Take the wide-body configuration of a Carrera 4S… and take-away the all-wheel-drive, upgrade the 3.8-liter S-spec engine to churn-out 408-horses (up 23-horses from the Carrera S, yet 27-horses less-than the GT3) sprinkle in some RS Sypder-style 19-inch wheels and Alcantara interior trimming as standard; and set the styling with Porsche SportDesign details- and you have the new GTS.
Autoblog reports: “Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels (and as it should be), with a manual six-speed transmission coming standard and a seven-speed PDK as an option. Select the Sport Chrono package along with the dual-clutch 'box, and Porsche claims you'll be cracking off four-second 0-60 runs all day long… After the GTS debuts in Paris, sales of both the coupe and cabriolet versions will begin early next year, with a starting price of $103,100 and $112,900, respectively."
In reality- the GTS offers a degree of higher exclusivity and performance before going all-out both in price and performance for the breathtaking GT3 or Turbo variants.
And in another 40 years- only the true Porschephiles will ever really know the difference. Or Care-errera (if you know what I mean...)
No comments:
Post a Comment