The model range offered by Porsche is incredibly varied. Numbers and letters have always played an important role within the broad portfolio. For instance, the '911' code is at least as famous as the brand itself, but there are other distinctions, too – such as the three letters ‘GTS’, which distinguish the Gran Turismo Sport models. Launched with the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS almost six decades ago, the GTS badge is now shared by an impressive legion of models. Today, Porsche offers GTS variants in all its model lines, with every derivative representing an emotive and exciting driving experience. Each one is a highly dynamic, agile and thrilling car and represents the perfect balance of performance and everyday practicality.
More than 60 years ago, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, known as 'Butzi', made the promise that "Every Porsche is suited to racing." Based on this reasoning, in 1963 he designed and built a mid-engined coupé suited to both the road and the racetrack: the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, with a power output of 132 kW (180 PS). The interior of this two-door, two-seater car was reduced to the bare essentials. It was unveiled at the Stuttgart Solitude track on 26 November 1963 and was the first sports car from Zuffenhausen to have a fibreglass body. In the years that followed, it gave an impressive demonstration of the technical expertise behind its construction. The Porsche 904 Carrera GTS was a natural on the racetrack, winning the International Championship for GT Manufacturers in the sub-two-litre class twice: in 1964 and 1965. It also claimed victory at the 1964 Targa Florio race in Sicily, second place at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally and enjoyed various successes in mountain races. A small production run of road-approved 904 Carrera GTS models was also produced. The car particularly impressed drivers with its easy handling, and it was the ideal example of the Porsche promise to bring motorsport technology to the road.
This car laid the foundations for the racing-inspired GTS badge that distinguishes today's vehicles. During the 1980s and 1990s, the GTS family was expanded with the 924 GTS and 928 GTS – the most powerful and agile derivatives in their respective model lines. At a price of 110,000 marks (around 56,200 euros today), the 924 Carrera GTS launched in 1981 became the most expensive production Porsche to date. Produced as a limited run of 50 units, the front-engined coupé with a two-litre engine delivered 180 kW (245 PS) and could exceed 250 km/h thanks to its consistently lightweight design – with most of the comfort features removed. Walter Röhrl caused a stir in the 1981 German Championship by campaigning a 206 kW (280 PS) rally version.
The current positioning of the GTS models as sporty all-rounders began in 1992 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 car’s body colour, Cup design exterior mirrors and 17-inch Cup alloy wheels as standard. Its 5.4-litre V8 engine delivered 257 kW (350 PS) and was capable of a maximum speed of 275 km/h.
In 2007, the IAA motor show in Frankfurt am Main offered the ideal setting to unveil the first Porsche of the 21st century to feature the GTS badge: the Cayenne GTS. This distinctly sporty variant expanded the range and featured a striking look with several design elements in Black to emphasise the promise of an exciting drive. The car's naturally aspirated V8 engine delivered an output of 298 kW (405 PS) with an equally powerful engine sound. The Cayenne GTS incorporated the racing history of the GTS badge and reinterpreted it with a modern twist: this car was aimed at drivers who wanted an incredibly dynamic drive and knew how to appreciate a thrilling driving experience, but at the same time needed a car suitable for the road.
Porsche continued to rapidly expand the GTS portfolio with this new target group in mind. A 911 Carrera GTS followed for the first time in 2010. Its power output of 300 kW (408 PS) positioned it as the link between the Type 997 Carrera, Turbo and GT models – the sixth-generation versions of the 911. It was available as a coupé and cabriolet, and drivers could choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Even then, the front spoiler lip in Black and red brake callipers were among the key visual features of a GTS. Another special feature was its 19-inch alloy wheel design, which had a centre-lock nut system similar to that used in motorsport.
The third Porsche model family to welcome a GTS variant was the Panamera sports saloon in 2011. Initially, a 316 kW (430 PS), 4.8-litre V8 engine combined with the seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) provided a sporty temperament and a top speed of 288 km/h.
By 2014, the GTS philosophy had made its way into the open-top Porsche Boxster and Cayman Coupé models. For the first time since the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS from 1963, the GTS badge once again represented a mid-engined sports car for the brand. Its 3.4-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine with a power output of up to 250 kW (340 PS) in combination with the PDK accelerated the two-seater from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and enabled top speeds of between 281 and 285 km/h.
The Macan family received a GTS variant for the first time in 2015. This quickly settled in as the most dynamic version of the compact SUV series thanks to its power output of 265 kW (360 PS), a firmer chassis set-up and maximum speed of 256 km/h.
Porsche finally completed its GTS offering in November 2021: the world premiere of the Taycan GTS at the LA Auto Show meant that every model line would now have a derivative with this legendary combination of letters. The Taycan GTS is the sporty all-rounder in the new range of electric sports cars from Porsche. It delivers up to 440 kW (598 PS) of overboost power in combination with Launch Control and an electric range of up to 504 km based on WLTP. And, like all GTS models, it has a unique look and a distinctly sporty concept. The Taycan GTS is now taking its turn to lay the foundations for future GTS models from Porsche.