Just when you think the run of special edition Porsche 911 models has come to an end, along comes yet another model with new lettering and an assortment of upgrades to keep Porsche aficionados smiling. The latest is the Carrera 4 edition of the recently revealed GTS trim, which for the 2012 model year will come in either Coupe or Cabriolet bodystyles, standard all-wheel drive and the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed PDK dual clutch unit.

As mentioned, the latest 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is essentially the ‘Carrera 4’ all-wheel drive version of last year’s 911 Carrera GTS. It gets the same 300 kW and 420 N.m of torque from the 3.8-litre flat-six engine, as well as a throaty sounding sports exhaust system and Porsche Traction Management stability control. The end result is a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of just 4.6 seconds in the Coupe when fitted with the manual transmission, and 4.8 seconds for the Cabriolet. Of course, adding the PDK will shave an additional 0.2 seconds respectively off the acceleration times.

In terms of handling, the standard all-wheel drive should manage to keep you on the road, even when nearing the car’s – and your own – limits. Here, the PTM system can send the optimal torque levels to the front wheels via a multiple-plate clutch in order to help prevent the wheels from slipping. Also helping things is a standard limited-slip differential.

Visually, the new Carrera 4 GTS models with all-wheel drive differ in points of detail from earlier variants with rear-wheel drive. In addition to the type name on the doors and rear lid, the distinguishing characteristic of all models with all-wheel drive, is the additional reflective stripe between the taillights. What the Carrera GTS models, both the regular version and the 4, have in common, is the 911’s wide body – otherwise reserved for the all-wheel version of the 911s – as well as the rear axle track width that goes with it. Other details include 19-inch RS Spyder wheels in black, a Sport-Design front bumper and lip spoiler, custom side skirts, Alcantara trim and sporty bucket seats.

Look out for the new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS in South African showrooms this August, with final pricing still to be confirmed.

Adapted from MotorAuthority

Apparently there is a market for those that can’t decide between the Porsche 911 Carrera S or the Porsche 911 Carrera GT3. Well, Porsche will cater to that group as of the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Positioned above the current 911 Carrera S and below the 911 GT3, the new 2011 Porsche 911 GTS has 17 kW more than the Carrera S and 20 kW less than the GT3.

Power comes from the current 3.8-litre flat-six engine, which as been given a new intake manifold with six vacuum-controlled tuning flaps that switch between power and torque-optimised geometry. Whilst torque remains at 420 Nm, the intake manifold makes it arrive 200 r/min earlier at 4 200 r/min, compared with 4 400 r/min of the Carrera S. The final performance modification is a sports exhaust system with quad-tailpipes.

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS comes equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with buyers able to opt for the company’s 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) automatic if preferred. The Carrera GTS has a top speed of 306 km/h, while the benchmark 0 – 100 km/h sprint takes just 4.2 seconds. Porsche claims an average fuel consumption of 10.2 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 240g/km.

An aerodynamics kit, based on the Carrera 4, includes a SportDesign front bumper with lip spoiler painted in black, special side-skirts also in black and Carrera GTS graphics on the doors and rear lid. The Carrera GTS has a 44 mm wider rear track than the Carrera 4, with 19-inch single-hub Porsche RS Spyder wheels fitted with 305/30 ZR19 tyres filling the rear wheel arches.

The standard interior colour is “black Alcantara”, which covers the centre sections of the driver and passenger sport seats. A new three-spoke SportDesign steering wheel, along with the gear stick and handbrake levers, is also covered in Alcantara.

Available in both coupe and cabriolet body styles, prices start from EUR104 935 and EUR115 050 respectively.