Porsche

911 Carrera 4S

911 Carrera 4S

Since 1963, the sportscar world has talked about three numbers: 911.
Today, we’re talking about three letters: GTS.

  • Overview

Concept
2+2 seater coupe,
all-wheel drive,
Rear-engine,
3.8 litres, 6 cylinders

Performance
300 kW (408 bhp) at 7,300 rpm
0-100 km/h in 4.6 s
Top speed: 306 km/h

DesignThree words are enough to make a clear statement: athletic, muscular, powerful. The look of the new 911 Carrera GTS models leaves no room for doubt. They are models of clarity.

Let’s get straight to the detail, beginning with the dynamically accentuated cooling air intakes in the front apron and the additional spoiler lip with a black painted finish. These are distinctly sporty characteristics, with components that have been optimised in the Porsche wind tunnel to improve aerodynamic efficiency. On the sides of the vehicle, black sideskirt trims are a bold indication of the performance in store.

The rear end is just as expressive. Compared with the 911 Carrera S, the body is 44 mm wider at the rear axle and the rear track has been widened by 32 mm for greater roll stability and improved turn-in. The 911 Carrera GTS models are fitted with 19-inch RS Spyder wheels featuring a central locking device. Until now, this racing wheel design was exclusive to the 911 Turbo. The black painted finish on the centre spokes is also an unmistakable reference to motorsport, and a clear signal of the driver’s racing mentality.

At Porsche, sound will always be crucial to the design concept. The sports exhaust system is characterised by audible and also visible hallmarks: powerful, resonant and unadulterated. The tailpipes have a nanocoated, polished finish on the inside, and a black painted finish on the outside. For contrast, the rear trim panel between the tailpipes is also finished in black.

Whilst the 911 Carrera GTS models are part of the 911 range, they explore a different direction. As an expression of this individuality, the air filter casing, rear end, door sill guards and doors all carry the ‘Carrera GTS’ logo.

The interior focuses on the essentials. These models are all about sport, so there is no place for unnecessary weight. Such as the rear seats, which we have deleted from the Coupé model. If you think differently, it is available to order at no extra cost.

The three-spoke ‘SportDesign’ steering wheel is not only standard, it is exclusive to the new 911 Carrera GTS models. It is both minimalist and functional, for even sportier appeal.

Materials are important. They make a distinct first impression: excellent functionality and an authentic motorsport feel. Alcantara – non-slip, washable and easy to maintain – covers the steering wheel, the gear and handbrake levers, the seat centres and, in the Coupé, the rooflining. This material is designed to cope with the stresses of heavy use. Just like the sports seats, which offer firm lateral support in any driving situation.

The greatest challenger in sport is, ultimately, oneself. This was the starting point for our development of the 911 Carrera GTS models. We have made them leaner and more muscular, giving a more distinctive contour.

Drive
The message is clear and unmistakable: force, power and dynamics. With direct fuel injection (DFI) and VarioCam Plus, the uprated 3.8-litre six-cylinder rear engine of the new 911 Carrera GTS models generates 300 kW (408 hp) at 7,300 rpm.

Maximum torque is 420 Nm and both models achieve a top speed of 306 km/h. The Coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, the Cabriolet in 4.8. The optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) further improves acceleration, reducing these times to 4.4 and 4.6 seconds respectively.

The throttle response is even more direct and acceleration is even sportier. The engine power is 23 hp higher than that of the 911 Carrera S. This was made possible by the redesigned intake manifold, the modified cylinder heads and the optimised engine electronics.

PDK is available as an option for the new 911 Carrera GTS models. Gear changes take place in milliseconds, for vastly improved acceleration and lower fuel consumption.

In total, PDK has seven gears at its disposal. Gears 1 to 6 have a sports ratio, with the top speed being reached in 6th gear. The 7th gear has a long ratio and helps to reduce fuel consumption even further. PDK is essentially two half gearboxes in one and thus requires two clutches – designed here as a double wet clutch transmission.

This double clutch provides an alternating, non positive connection between the two half gearboxes and the engine by means of two separate input shafts (input shaft 1 is nested inside the hollowed-out input shaft 2). The flow of power from the engine is only ever transmitted through one half gearbox and one clutch at a time, while the next gear is preselected in the second half-gearbox. During a gear change, therefore, a conventional shift no longer takes place. Instead, one clutchsimply opens and the other closes at the same time.

PDK and the manual gearbox deliver power directly to the road. With the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus, you can make it even more direct, and even sportier. With a rush of adrenaline and euphoria, you are straight into the action.

Chassis

As standard, the new 911 Carrera GTS models are fitted with 19-inch RS Spyder wheels with centre spokes with a black painted finish.

The main feature of these forged aluminium alloy wheels is the central locking device – a clear reference to the world of motorsport. Compared with the conventional five-bolt wheel connection, it offers enhanced driving dynamics and performance thanks to the reduction in rotating masses.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring, available as an option, sends warnings to the on-board computer’s display screen in the event of a gradual or sudden loss of pressure.


Safety

Motorsport is the ultimate test of braking performance. On request, we can provide you with a brake system that has already had to cope with the harshest requirements of motor racing – a brake system fitted in the cars competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, for example: the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB).

The ceramic discs have a diameter of 350 mm front and rear. The discs are made from a specially treated carbon-fibre compound that is silicated in a high-vacuum process at 1,700 °C. The resulting material is not only much harder than metal, it is also more resistant to heat.

Even at high temperatures, the thermal resistance of the PCCB discs ensures excellent dimensional stability. The ceramic material is totally resistant to corrosion and offers excellent acoustic damping properties.

The pads are mounted in six-piston monobloc aluminium fixed calipers at the front, with four-piston units at the rear. The resulting brake forces are both extremely high and remarkably consistent. The pedal response is fast and precise with only moderate input required.

PCCB enables shorter braking distances in even the toughest road and race conditions. Excellent fade resistance ensures greater balance when slowing from racetrack speeds.

The key advantage of PCCB is the total weight saving of approximately 50% over metal discs with similar construction and dimensions. As well as enhancing performance and fuel economy, this represents a major reduction in both the unsprung and rotating masses. This, of course, offers major benefits in terms of comfort and road holding on uneven road surfaces as well as general handling and agility.

Please note that circuit racing, trackday use and other forms of performance driving can significantly reduce the service life of even the most durable pads and discs. As with conventional high-performance braking systems, we recommend that all brake components be professionally inspected and replaced where necessary after every track event.


Comfort
In terms of engineering, the Porsche 911 offers a simple definition of precision: improve that which is essential. Remove that which is not. Focus on that which matters most: the driver. Through the application of these principles we’ve created a driving environment that is always a uniquely rewarding drive.

Motorsports
The Nürburgring, Le Mans, Hockenheim, Mille Miglia, Daytona, Paris-Dakar, Monte Carlo, Targa Florio.

Porsche has competed in virtually every major race – and at every major venue – in the world of international motorsport. There is hardly a corner, chicane or hairpin bend that we do not know by heart.

This familiarity is just one of the secrets of our enduring race success. It is also the key to more than 28,000 victories in little over 50 years.

Throughout our history, the desire to go racing has defined the character of Porsche. It has also enabled us to develop technologies for use in our road-car production.

As a result, your 911 is already prepared for a number of racing classes. Porsche Clubs host a range of events at domestic and international level. Other options for amateur drivers include the Porsche Sports Cup series in Germany. For semi-professionals, there’s a choice of national Porsche Carrera Cup championships, while professionals can compete on the international stage in the Porsche Michelin Supercup.

The standard racing Porsche – the 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) – features a range of race technologies, including a sequential gearbox. Weighing just 1,120 kg, it has a specially uprated and race-prepared flat-six engine developing 294 kW (400 bhp) from a 3.6-litre displacement. The result: thrilling performance and close-fought racing.

In 2006, the car will be run in the Porsche Carrera Cup championships and the Porsche Michelin Supercup.

The Porsche Michelin Supercup is the world’s fastest international single-make race series. A major F1 support event in Europe, Bahrain and the United States, it is watched by audiences in the hundreds of thousands. Each Supercup team runs identical, production-based 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) cars with Michelin racing tyres and Porsche ceramic brakes (PCCB). Every race is an absorbing battle of strategic race planning and pure driving skill.

The championship is contested over a 12-race season, pitting established professionals and promising young talent against special VIP guest drivers.

Environment
The 911 is a model of precision. In terms of the environment, the results are equally compelling: fewer emissions, better economy and minimal servicing requirements.

Colours
A wide range of colours offers the option of giving your 911 an even more personalised character. The selection of standard or special paint colours, and the interior and leather finishes provide a pronounced high degree of personalisation. There are no limits to your creativity – virtually anything is possible.