Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (2011) first pictures

This is the new 911 Carrera 4 GTS. Offered in both coupe and cabriolet form, the Carrera 4 GTS takes Porsche's Carrera GTS, and adds four-wheel drive.

Not exactly. The 911 Carrera GTS was a parts-bin special, taking the 911 Carrera S drivetrain, adding the optional Powerkit and tweaked bodykit to the wider Carrera 4S body shell. Now Porsche hasadded four-wheel drive. So the latest addition to the burgeoning 911 catalogue is effectively a Carrera 4S with additional performance parts.

An extra 23bhp for starters, taking power up to 405bhp. 0-62mph nudges down to 4.6sec manual, 4.4sec for the optional PDK in the Carrera 4 GTS coupe. Similar 0.1 second trimming has taken place to the Cabriolet's 0-62 times. You get to keep the standard C4S's CO2 and MPG figures, as befits a Porsche special edition these days.

Outside, Porsche spotters will note the rear reflector strip which links the tail-lights, but are stymied in showing off their knowledge by the 'Carrera 4 GTS' logos on the bootlid and doors which give the game away for casual viewers. GTS-specific RS Syder wheels in black along with the two-wheel drive GTS's tweaked front bumper and aero parts finish the exterior differentiation.

Inside it's Carrera 4 GTS sill plates, alcantara trim and the PCM touchscreen infotainment screen in the centre console.

You can buy a Carrera 4 GTS from July 2011. Prices start at £83,145 for the Coupé and £90,024 as a Cabriolet. If you prefer the feel of alcantara in your interior with the security of all-wheel drive then it offers a similar value-for-money proposition over the C4S that the GTS offers over the Carrera S. Resistance is futile...

By Mark Hamilton