Porsche’s web-site shows 20 different 911 models available (not including the 911 R) including the Carrera, Targa, Turbo, GTS and GT3. For the Carrera, Targa and GTS versions you can choose some version of all-wheel drive: Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Targa 4S, and so on. But how do you choose? What are the major differences between Porsche’s all-wheel drive models and rear-wheel drive models? Nick Murray attempts to answer that question in the video below.
Major Differences Between The Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera 4S
Nick Murray’s latest Porsche is a Carrera 4S. Fortunately, Nick has a friend with a very similar Porsche (it’s a C2 version in the same color with the same transmission. Because it’s not an “S” model, it’s not an exact comparison due to difference in engines, but it’s close enough for YouTube).
The Carrera 4S (all-wheel drive) as compared to the Carrera (rear-wheel drive)
Exterior Differences
- 1 1/2″ wider at the rear
- Offset on rear wheels is slightly different than the front wheels
- 4S includes gets side skirts
- Continuous light bar between the brake lights
Interior Differences
- Different logo on start-up screen
- 4S has the torque split screen in the gauges
- Trunk, while the same depth, is 1 1/2″ smaller front to back
Hidden Differences
- Slight penalty in MPG for AWD models. AWD models get about 1 MPG less than the RWD models or 28 MPG vs. 29 MPG
- Slightly larger gas tank. 18 gallon vs 17 gallon
- slightly slower top end. 2 MPH according to Porsche. 189 MPH vs 191 MPH
- 110 lbs heavier than the RWD model or 3,285 lbs vs 3,175 lbs
- Priced about $7k higher. $112k vs $105,100k
The Biggest Difference is Driving
For normal day-to-day driving chance are you won’t notice much of a difference. It’s not until you take these Porsche’s onto the track or out for more spirited drives that you really start to notice the difference. According to Nick, the all-wheel drive system has the potential to “suck some of the fun out of owning a 911“. This, again according to Nick, is because the all-wheel drive system makes the Porsche so “safe”.
How do you decide?
At the end of the day, how do you decide between AWD or RWD Porsche? Basically, it’s a personal decision. You’ll need to make the decision based on how you plan on using it and where you live. Hopefully, this information will help.
