2019 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

The $120,700 911 Carrera GTS coupe comes with a 7-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK and rear-wheel drive. The Carrera 4 GTS at $127,600 is the all-wheel-drive version of the coupe. Apart from that, you can also have the 911 as a Cabriolet. Regardless of which trim you choose, you get a twin-turbo flat-six in the back. The handling is just as good as you would expect from a 911: cutting corners effortlessly at speed.

In the high-performance sports coupe segment, the 911 faces the competition head-on against rivals like the F-Type SVR, the LC 500, the Corvette ZR1 as well as the Nissan GTR. With such a diverse range of cars challenging the Porsche at various different fronts, it remains to be seen if the 991-type Carrera GTS still has its cylinders firing like they are supposed to.

The Carrera GTS is available as either a rear-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive version. Apart from that, there is no other difference in the GTS which comes with massive 20-inch center-lock wheels, six-piston brakes, and Apple CarPlay.

Model	911 Carrera GTS
MSRP	$120,700
Key Features	Center-lock 20-inch 911 Turbo S wheels painted in satin black
	Six-piston monobloc aluminum fixed brake calipers at the front, four-piston units at the rear, discs internally vented and cross-drilled, calipers in red
	PASM Sport Suspension
	Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV)
	Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including online navigation
	Connect Plus including online navigation, Apple CarPlay, telephone module, and wireless Internet access

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The all-wheel-drive variant is the go-to Porsche if you are hoping to get the best out of your Porsche. However, if you’re an enthusiast who wants a manual transmission along with rear-wheel-drive, the Porsche got you covered.

"The GTS variants have the Carrera S engine with the Powerkit upgrade (450 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque). The GTS also has a wider rear track, 20-inch center-lock wheels from the Turbo S, a PASM sports suspension." -Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

With a 3.0L flat-6 engine placed at the back, deep inside the coupe, the 911 Carrera is sports coupe with amazing handling and smooth power delivery. The engine revs like a beast and the rising rpm deliver more and more power to the tarmac. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is absolutely flawless, with precise and lightning-fast upshifts and downshifts that send crackles through the sports exhaust.

Models	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
MSRP	$122,750	$93,325	$120,700	$118,900	$99,990
Engine	5.0L V8 Intercooled Supercharger Premium Unleaded	5.0L V8 Premium Unleaded	Turbocharged 3.0L H-6	LT5 supercharged V8	3.8L V6 Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded
Transmission	8-Speed automatic	10-Speed automatic	7-Speed manual	7-Speed M/T	6-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Horsepower	575 hp@ 6500rpm	471 hp@ 7100rpm	450 hp @ 6500 rpm	755 hp @ 6300 rpm	565 hp@ 6800rpm
Torque	516 ft-lbs@ 3500rpm	398 ft-lbs@ 4800rpm	405 ft-lbs @ 2150 rpm	715 ft-lbs @ 4400 rpm	467 ft-lbs@ 3300rpm

Comparing the coupes purely on the basis of numbers, the Corvette ZR1 is the one with the maximum output of 755hp and 715 lb-ft torque. The F-Type SVR and the Nissan GTR also produce massive 575 hp and 565 hp ahead of the Porsche and the Lexus LC 500.

Acceleration

The flat-6 engine churning out 450 hp propels the coupe to 60 miles an hour in less than 4 seconds. Along with the lightning-fast acceleration comes massive G-forces that push you back into your seat, but the suspension handles the weight transfer to the rear like magic. The quarter-mile sprint is over in a breeze with 12.3 seconds on the clock.

Models	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
0-60 MPH	3.4 sec	4.4 sec	3.9 sec	3.1	2.9 sec
Quarter mile	11.7 sec	13.8 sec	12.3 sec	10.94	11.2 sec
Engine	5.0L V8 Intercooled Supercharged	5.0L V8	Turbocharged 3.0L H-6	LT5 Supercharged V8	3.8L V6 Twin Turbo
Emission(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/year)	N/A	9.3	NA	N/A	9.8

The Corvette ZR1 is a full-fledged drag strip weapon and has the fastest standing quarter-mile time in among the competition, taking 10.9 seconds. Although the supercar slayer - Nissan GTR - is the fastest one to 60 making it in less than 3 seconds, the quarter-mile time is a few milliseconds behind the Corvette.

Ride and Handling

The 911 has long been revered as the benchmark of precise handling with the best driving dynamics and chassis control through corners even at the edge of the traction. The low center of gravity along with the stiffened suspension keep you planted to the track and the laser-precise steering with remarkable feedback makes it fun to drive not only on track days but also in the city.

As a daily driver, you might want to take a detour on the rough roads as the sports suspension would rattle your insides like a blender. However, on highways, the coupe is a bliss to drive around and you’d feel in control of the vehicle as you speed past the traffic, within the speed limits of course.

Braking

The coupe comes with 13.7-inch discs up front and 12.9 inches at the back. the pedal modulation is flawless and the lightweight coupe is easy to stop from high speeds easily. You can choose the optional carbon-ceramic brakes for your GTS if you feel like taking your Porsche to the track.

Model	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
Brakes Front (in.)	15	15.7	13.7	15.5	15.3
Brakes Rear (in.)	14.8	14.1	12.9	15.3	15
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3459	4280	3197	3584	3929
60-0 MPH (ft.)	109	105	98	88	97

The Lexus comes with massive 15.7-inch brakes up front, larger than entire wheel hubs you’d find on tiny hatchbacks, but rightly so considering the LC 500 weight about a 1000 lbs more than the 911. Even the 755 hp Corvette ZR1 comes with huge 15.5-inch brakes.

The 911 Carrera GTS probably isn’t the best car to use as a daily driver, but among the competition, the Porsche gives you the best fuel efficiency as a sports coupe. In the city, it manages up to 18 miles to the gallon and on highways those numbers can reach 26, making the combined mpg 21.

Model	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
MPG (city)	16	16	18	13	16
MPG (highway)	24	25	26	19	22
MPG (combined)	18	19	21	15	18
Tank Capacity (gal)	18.5	21.7	16.9	18.5	19.5

The Corvette sacrificed any shred of fuel economy to bump up the power figures and thus you get merely 13 mpg in the city and a combined 15 mpg.

"Loads of headroom and good forward visibility. The materials quality and driving position are excellent. While the back seat is small, the 911 is one of just a few cars in the class to offer one." -The Car Connection

Seating and Comfort

The driver-oriented cockpit makes the ride even more engaging for the driver, with a sport steering wheel with column-mounted shift paddles and controls for the audio and cruise control. The seats, as expected of a sports coupe have excellent bolstering and support to keep you in place through the corners. With enough headroom for the tallest occupants, the low roofline doesn’t hinder practicality.

Model	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
Passenger capacity	2	4	2	2	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.0/56.5/43.0	37.2/56.5/42.0	N/A	37.9/55.2/43	38.1/54.3/44.6
Rear(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	-	32.2/49.0/32.5	N/A	-	33.5/50/26.4

The 4-seater coupes not only have better space for the occupants but also get more interior storage, however, the rear seats aren’t as useful as you’d hope to have with most of them not being able to accommodate tall adults. The Lexus LC 500 coupe and the Nissan GTR have some of the best passenger capacity in the segment.

Infotainment

The sport steering connected to a tilt/telescopic column, automatic climate control, 6-speaker audio with CD, SiriusXM and HD Radio, Porsche Communications Management system and front/rear Park Assist. You get Apple CarPlay as standard however, the system lacks Android Auto support. Optionally you can replace the speaker system with a Bose or Burmester surround sound system.

Cargo Volume

Complementing the front cargo bay is more storage options at the back. The mid-engined sports coupe keeps plenty of space open for storing cargo. The front storage is pretty decent but the rake angle of the rear eats up the cargo bay quite a bit. 

Model	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	7.3	5.4	9.7	15.0	8.8

"Death, taxes, and the Porsche 911. Few things in the world are as constant as all three. The Porsche 911’s basic shape hasn’t changed much in the decades it’s been on sale—it’s not changing much next year." -The Car Connection

Design and Styling

The 911s signature design character is very dear to Porsche and hasn’t changed much over the years. In fact, it has aged like fine wine and grown more aerodynamic. It’s wider and sits lower than the base model Carrera 20mm lower to be precise. The integrated spoiler at the rear pops up high speed to give you optimum downforce and also works as an air brake when stopping. 

The huge 20-inch wheels are not just for aesthetics, they also assist the handling of the coupe. At the back, you’d find huge air intakes which, apart from supplying air to the engine, also aid in engine cooling. The front grille is now more aggressive than ever and gives a menacing look to the GTS.

Dimensions and Weight

Model	Jaguar F Type SVR coupe	Lexus LC 500 coupe	Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe	Corvette ZR1 1ZR coupe	Nissan GT-R Pure
Curb weight (lbs.)	3759	4280	3197	3584	3929
Length(in)	176.2	187.4	178.3	179.8	185.4
Width(in)	74.2	75.6	72.9	77.4	74.6
Height(in)	51.6	53.0	50.6	48.5	53.9
Wheelbase (in)	103.2	113.0	96.5	106.7	109.4
Track width (in) F/R	62.4/63.4	64.2/64.4	60.7/60.8	64.4/63.6	62.6/63

The 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe is far out there enough to be expensive to crash test. Therefore, you can't expect any NHTSA or IIHS score anytime soon. Nevertheless, considering just how small the car is, it is surprisingly safe to drive. Sure, you have all your advanced driver aids at work, making sure that you would never do anything stupid when having fun on the freeway. Truly, it is the car's legendary handling that is the last line of defense between the passenger's safety and a terrible collision.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• ParkAssist Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags w/Passenger Off...
• Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Pretensioners
• Back-Up Camera

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS vs Jaguar F-Type SVR

The F-Type has a roaring V8 to answer the battle cry from the Porsche’s flat-6 engine, and the Jaguar roars louder and stronger. However, on the track, the 911 Carrera GTS outsmarts the F-Type SVR with superior handling, agility, and laser-precise steering. On the interior, both of these coupes are driver-focussed and lack practicality equally. 

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS vs Lexus LC 500 

the Lexus LC 500 was designed as a Porsche slayer and specifically take on the GTS. Along with its powerful engine, it also mimics the Porsche’s nimbleness and precision, but it’s nowhere near as perfect as the German. The cabin of the LC 500 is decked out with exotic styling and premium materials, while the Porsche is much more performance focussed inside.

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS vs Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The Corvette ZR1 is a purpose-built weapon for the drag strip compared to the 911 Carrera GTS which was meant to handle sharp corners at high speed. The interiors are plusher and performance focussed in the Porsche compared to the Corvette. From the outside, the Corvette looks much more aggressive than the Porsche, but in terms of handling, the Porsche is in a league of its own.

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is the best bang for your buck 911 in the lineup, available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive as well as a 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK configurations. The widebody Porsche gets you amazing grip and handling while the GTS badge gets you the street cred to stand atop the basic Carreras.