Few heavyweights belie their weight and size quite like the GTS offerings from Porsche, and 2021 brings us two new additions to that lineup. People who need to blend practicality, comfort, and performance are hard-pressed to find something with a better blend of attributes than this SUV, now offered in both liftback and coupe variations.
Underneath its misleading shape sits a focused chassis. Both models receive revised Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) dampers that, in combination with the standard three-chamber Air Suspension, lower the chassis by 30 millimetres as compared to the Cayenne S. These changes, in conjunction with a steel suspension, torque vectoring systems, optional active roll management and four-wheel steering, allow this car to dance much better than something so far from the ground ought to.
Black accents throughout, 21″ Spyder wheels in Satin Black, and a lowered ride height give off some indication of sportiness.
A Fitting Engine for a Focused Car
Though the last generation of GTS lost a pair of cylinders, this iteration brings back a throaty V8—this time fed by two turbochargers. According to Auto Bild, it will sport a new 4.0-liter V8 makes 453 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. With the aid of an eight-speed gearbox, this ~4,800-pound GTS should reach sixty in 4.5 seconds, but that number is reduced to 4.2 seconds when using Performance Start, which is included with the optional Sport Chrono Package (standard on Coupe).
Eight-way sport seats, alcantara, brushed aluminum accents, and plenty of red stitching convey the character of the car better than its size or shape do.
The next time you visit a showroom and feel like conducting an eye-opening experiment, take a base Carrera for a cruise. Then, if you’re fortunate enough to have one at your disposal, try guiding a Cayenne GTS through a reasonably swift section of backroad. Upon returning to the showroom, you’ll stare at in mild confusion at the distinctive roofline and athletic stance of the Carrera, then remind yourself it’s the four-door people carrier which carries itself more like a sports car than its slinky sibling.
The swooping roofline of a 911 complements the coupe’s shape nicely.