new 2011 Carrera GTS

http://www.porsche.com/microsite/carrera-gts/default.aspx

Love the centerlocking hubs and the rims.

 

Nice. In essence its a rear wheel drive 997 under a C4 body w/ an extra 20 hp & center-lock wheels. Center-locks look the business on the focused GT3 but I fail to see their purpose on a "luxury" 911, not to mention a Cab.

I'm as big of a Porsche enthusiast as anyone, but for you golfers out there, they're quickly becoming the Taylor Made of the auto industry releasing a dozen slightly tweaked versions of an already solid product.

On a more positive Porsche note I noticed that this months Car and Driver ranked the best handling cars:

1) Boxster Spyder
2) Elise SC
3) RX8 R3
4) M3
5) GT-R
6) Z06
7) VW GTI

My Boxster Spyder is coming a few weeks which I'm obviously very much looking forward to.

 

If you havent already, watch the Top Gear review of the Spyder. Quite good.

Post up some pics of your Spyder when it arrives, we want to see it.

There is a newer 911 at Boardwalk in Dallas with the center lock hubs, and it does look quite clean. I can see the reasoning for it on a GT3, or other race prepped models, but it does not make a lot of sense for a street car.

I can imagine having your tires done anywhere but at the dealer could be an issue.
Unless of course, you have your own set of proper tools.

I am looking forward to seeing one in person, then again, if there is a Sport Classic nearby, I would probably just glance at the GTS while going to drool on the Classic.

 

What are owners doing when they're switching their own centre lock wheels? I can't remember, but they require some crazy high amount of torque. I can't imagine everyone is taking their cars to the dealer to have street/track wheels swapped.

 

A impact (pneumatic, or electric), and a centerlock socket (sold at any respectable speed shop).

Or, you can help your local economy, and pay someone to do it.

What bothers me is, what happens the one time you decide to leave out the safety wire?
I can imagine its not covered under the warranty.

 

I agree re: too many model variations. However, I think we can look to the GTS and see the performance numbers from the next generation (998?) Carrera.

PCAHack-congrats on the Boxster Spyder. Maybe the perfect Porsche for SoCal.

 

i couldnt agree w/ you more completely. The TM analogy is spot on . While I like the new gts I frankly i hate all these variations. Seems like the Marketing yahoos have wrestled the comp over from the engineers. Sad. SOmetimes P is deserving of criticism.

 

I like the car, but the problem is for another 7k you can get the GT3. This car with PDK is 108k! Its basically a Carrera S with the powerkit and nice bodywork.

 

the 997.2 powerkit (X50/X51, whatever they call it) is over 400bhp?

amazing! those were turbo numbers a few years back...

 

Yes it is. Its exactly the same HP as this new GTS.

 

A few quality tool dealers, like Snap-On, sell large torque wrenches (like 5'-6' long) that break down to fit into a carrying case. Our PCA region now has about a half dozen 2010 GT3s with center lock wheels, and the owners all compare the lengths of their torque wrenches at TWS track weekends....

 

I think the point of this car is to be the purest most focused 911.

You may say that is the GT3, which is pretty pure, but this has the old classic smooth styling with power and more focused performance. I love it. The is a 911 for everyone.

-Steve