GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport, and it’s a popular acronym for Porsche drivers, with a GTS now in almost every model series. In this way, Porsche appeals to a particularly sporting-minded target group, which appreciates a particularly emotive driving experience but also wants a high degree of everyday usability. Design is another important reason for purchase among these customers.
The GTS tradition at Porsche began with the winner of the 1964 Targa Florio. Below is an overview of the three most important historical models as well as the current Porsche range.
The forefather: 904 Carrera GTS (1963)
The 904 Carrera GTS was the first Porsche with the three letters in its name. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche designed the mid-engine coupé for both road and racetrack, in line with the maxim that “every Porsche is suited to racing”. The two-seater was unveiled at the Solitude track in Stuttgart on 26 November 1963. It was the first sports car from Zuffenhausen to have a plastic body and only 106 units were built. The car recorded its greatest victory in 1964 at the Targa Florio in Sicily, driven by Baron Antonio Pucci and Colin Davis.
The sports car: 924 Carrera GTS (1981)
With the Carrera models from the 924 series, Porsche proved that the transaxle concept could also be successful in motorsport. With a price of 110,000 marks (around € 56,200 today), the 924 Carrera GTS 1981 became the most expensive production Porsche to date. It was based on the 924 Turbo (Type 931). June 1980 saw the launch of the 154 kW (210 PS) 924 Carrera GT (Type 937), further developed and homologated for Group 4 motorsport. Even more powerful was the 924 Carrera GTS (Type 939). While the normal GTS delivered 177 kW (240 PS), the Clubsport variant boasted 202 kW (275 PS). The GTR, which was designed exclusively for racing, delivered 276 kW (375 PS). Walter Röhrl caused a furore in the 1981 German Championship driving a 206 kW (280 PS) rally version. The total number of units built remained small: between February and April of that year, 50 left-hand drive 924 Carrera GTS cars, painted exclusively in Guards Red, were built. Including all prototypes, 59 cars were produced.
The dynamic all-rounder: 928 GTS (1992)
The current positioning of the GTS models as sporty all-rounders began with the 928 GTS. As the final development stage of this transaxle model series, the GTS had wider rear wings, a red light strip at the rear, a rear wing painted in the body colour, exterior mirrors in Cup design and 17-inch Cup rims as standard. Its 5.4-litre V8 engine delivered 257 kW (350 PS).
The modern era: GTS currently available in five model families
In 2007, the Cayenne GTS was the first Porsche of the modern era to feature the abbreviation in its model designation. The 997 II Carrera GTS followed in 2009. Along with 300 kW (408 PS) and 420 Nm of torque, changes to the exterior also underscored its outstanding performance. Among the numerous differences to other 911 models, the GTS had different front and rear sections, standard centre-lock wheels , as well as lowering and aerodynamic enhancements. Additional exterior components accentuated in black remain a distinctive feature of GTS derivatives to this day.
