We test-drove Porsche's new 911 GTS (911 Carrera 4 GTS) at the Inje Speedium circuit in Inje County, Gangwon. As the first 911, the sports car that symbolizes Porsche, to be equipped with a hybrid system, the model stood out for its powerful, agile moves. The launch control, which delivers maximum performance for a hard sprint from a standstill, was especially impressive.
The new 911 GTS is more appealing on a circuit than on public roads. The low, flat, and sleek body that hugs the ground, the single-bar tail lamp at the rear, and the thick muffler tips (exhaust outlets) catch the eye. The seat is low, so you have to bend your back to get in, which is uncomfortable, but once seated, the body-hugging position gives a sense of stability. To secure sufficient visibility from the driver's seat, it was necessary to adjust the seat and the steering wheel.
When the engine started, it responded with a burble and let out a booming exhaust note. Although a hybrid system is installed in the 911 for the first time, the small battery and electric motor assist the existing six-cylinder boxer engine, so the signature popping sounds remained. It can be bothersome in the city or in a parking garage, but on the circuit it became an element that stirs the urge to race.
Initial acceleration is on the smooth side, with stronger force as speed rises. The sense of acceleration stood out not only on the straightaways but also on steep uphill sections. It feels as if your body lifts into the air like a plane taking off. Even when entering a corner at high speed or stomping on the brake pedal to the end for hard braking, the car moved smoothly and precisely as the driver intended.
The combined maximum output of the so-called "T-hybrid" system installed in the new 911 is 541 horsepower (PS), up 61 horsepower from the previous model. The electric motor adds power to the boxer engine. The zero-to-100 kph time is 3 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than the previous model. Top speed reaches 312 kph.
Among the features equipped in the car, launch control was striking. It is typically found in high-performance sports cars and allows an immediate start by depressing the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time from a standstill to raise engine RPM (revolutions per minute), then releasing the brake pedal. Even if you anticipate the car's response and operate it accordingly, your body is thrown back. That said, it is virtually unnecessary in daily life.
The lift function that increases ground clearance (the height from the ground to the car's underside) engaged in 1 second. The response time is shorter than the previous 4 seconds. Sports cars like the 911 need a lift function because the low body risks scraping the front when going over speed bumps or entering ramps such as underground parking garages. From the driver's seat, the angle adjusts so naturally that you barely notice a difference, but from outside you can see the car rise slightly. When the lift function operates, the ground height at the front axle increases by up to 40 mm.
For the first time in a 911 model, the new version is equipped with a fully digital instrument cluster. Through the 12.6-inch curved display, you can check driving status, tires, battery charge and temperature, and the degree of electric motor intervention. From the passenger seat, you can also see in graph form how the driver's accelerator or brake pedal pressure changes in real time.
The starting price of the new 911 GTS ranges from 240.7 million won to 266.8 million won. Starting prices by model are 240.7 million won for the 911 Carrera GTS coupe, 257 million won for the 911 Carrera GTS cabriolet, 250.3 million won for the 911 Carrera 4 GTS coupe, 266.6 million won for the 911 Carrera 4 GTS cabriolet, and 266.8 million won for the 911 Targa 4 GTS.