2021 Porsche 911 GTS Coupé review

When Porsche launched the new 911 GT3 earlier in the year we were all a bit shocked that it had been made so stiff. Great for the track, less so for the road. So I just assumed that when the GT3 Touring was introduced, without the downforce-heavy aero pack that required big spring rates to support, they’d soften it off a touch. But no, it’s as firm as a normal GT3.

This left a hole in the 911 range for a truly driver-centric 911 that was still a passable daily car, and it didn’t look to me like this new 911 GTS would fill it. Because we all know that under the skin a GTS is really a parts-bin special, made up from Porsche’s choice from the standard 911 options list.

Except it isn’t any more. It has power you’ll find in no lowlier 911, however many boxes you tick. It has Turbo brakes, and Turbo-derived suspension, but with bespoke settings. They’ve hacked out a load of sound deadening too to spice up the show and save some heft. And it’s added a lightweight package which deletes the rear seats, installs thinner glass and a lithium ion battery. It has more mass and less power than a GT3, but a lot more torque. In a straight line, there’d be nothing in it.

Fast when you want, comfortable when you don’t, it is the best 911 you can buy for daily use, which is what 911s are for.