Last fall, we had the chance to test drive a 2022 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet. Here is the story of our encounter with this magnificent car.
When a Porsche displays the GTS letters, you can expect to be blown away by performance! Rest assured; however athletic the vehicle becomes, practicality will not be compromised. That is how the Porsche GTS concept excels: you get the highest possible level of power that remains usable for everyday life!
Furthermore, when these three letters are found on a convertible all-wheel-drive 911, they mean it underwent a serious upgrade. In fact, they bring to the 911 the highest possible degree of performance on top of unparalleled versatility.
That is how Porsche Lauzon’s honest opinion about the GTS concept could be summed up. Thanks to your Porsche dealership in Laval, we also had the privilege of taking our very own outstanding 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet out for a test drive to better understand what they think about it. Read on if you want to find out if we share this opinion and how it felt to take it out for a spin!
Body aesthetics: a seductive silhouette, whether the roof is on or off!
Firstly, let’s talk about exterior styling. The model made available to us by Porsche Lauzon, on the North-Shore of Montreal, took our breath away at first glance. We were instantly seduced by this very special 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, patiently awaiting us in the parking lot.
With its stylishly designed hood, oval headlights which melt into the large and rounded front fenders, low ground clearance enhancing the wheel arches and the magnificent RS Spyder Design rims, as well as the taillight strip in smoky monochrome tints, our 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet was just as intimidating as it was elegant and timeless.
However, what completely won us over during this finely orchestrated first encounter, was the chalk body color of our 2022 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet combined with the red color of the soft top roof. The brilliant mix of these hues only served to magnify the streamlined style of our magnificent German convertible, creating one of the most accomplished designs in the 911 line.
You will have guessed it: long before we took the wheel of this stunning creature, once we locked eyes (and headlights!), we were already done for; we’d already fallen head over heels!
A theoretical specifications sheet, offering optimal performance which remains usable in everyday life!
When it comes to a Porsche we must, first and foremost, judge it by its power and performance, whether it is convertible or not. Our 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet is certainly no exception to this rule. Rest assured: all theoretical data given by Porsche Canada is completely aligned with what we have learnt to expect from these luxury vehicles.
In fact, in this rear-engine layout you will find a turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-6 engine with 473 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque, combined with (in our 911’s case) a very fast 8- speed PDK transmission. Theoretically, this engine allows our test drive model to perform 0-100 km/h accelerations in only 3.5 seconds, thanks to the Sport Chrono package our cabriolet is equipped with. Purists will be happy to know that Porsche also offers a 7- speed manual transmission for the same model. Top speed is just as impressive, reaching 307 km/h, according to the specifications for our car!
These numbers alone are enough to make our mouths water. Yet, one of the things we most want to make sure of, when testing our particular model, is to see if this convertible sports car is easy to handle, even with all the power it contains. However, knowing that our 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet comes standard with Porsche’s impressive AWD system, using as much horsepower and engine torque should be a breeze. Rest assured that we will test it out, steering wheel in hand, in the Montreal Metropolitan area!
A cockpit dedicated to driving pleasure, but also extremely luxurious and loaded with cutting-edge technologies!
After examining the body and technical specifications, the time came for us to step into the interior, without starting the flat-six behind us. We took a few minutes to really study the cockpit, or rather, to admire it. It truly is a work of art, with an understated and timeless design, as well a remarkable ergonomics that put every command in our 911 GTS Cabriolet at our fingertips!
The materials and their adjustment are also of the highest possible quality and will withstand the effects of time. Our model had burgundy red leather upholstered seats with chalk colored contrasting stitching to match the body color!
However, what impressed us the most were the onboard technologies: premium Burmester sound system, electric seats with 18 different settings and memory function, adaptive cruise control, night vision assist and lane change assist. Our model had everything we could ever dream of, allowing us to take our 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet out for a test drive in the best possible conditions, in the greater Montreal area!
On the road: outstanding power, usable in everyday life
The time finally came for us to start the engine! The flat-six at the back ignited with a metallic growl, typical of this type of engine architecture, giving us goosebumps! We took advantage of the warm early fall weather to put the roof down and enjoy all the things our convertible 911 had to offer. Leaving the Porsche Lauzon parking lot, in Laval, we headed straight to the closest highway.
We did not have to wait for high speeds to be pleasantly surprised by our 2022 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet. Our model made us feel comfortable on the road instantly, expertly absorbing all irregularities, while the sensations within the cockpit remained smooth and even. We realized that even if the suspension was firm, it was remarkably comfortable and enjoyable, even in the case of everyday use. Impressive!
Finally reaching the expressway ramp, we decided it was the perfect moment to test our German sports car’s accelerations! Barely able to contain our enthusiasm, we set foot on the accelerator and push gently. Our 911 Carrera 4 GTS does not need to be asked twice; its generous engine torque instantly has us glued to our seats. We push our investigation further by safely overtaking two cars, back-to-back, to see how reactive our 911 is. Both times, our German firecracker plunges forward at an astonishing speed, so much so that we have to keep an eye on the speedometer to make sure we remain within legal limit. You can imagine that the 0-100 km/hr stated in the technical specifications is more than confirmed; it even seems conservative! Another incredible aspect: even during the accelerations, no air movement was felt inside the cockpit.
We then reach two consecutive turns forming together an “S” shape. Great! This will allow us to see how good steering is at higher speeds and how quick it is to react. On the first bend, our 911’s front axle goes precisely where we want it to, while the rear axle follows swiftly and smoothly. Our Porsche blends with the road and the drive is seamless. When we reach the second turn, the reaction is the same and it feels to us like a series of fluid movements. Our 911 is extremely rigorous and yet, it is incredibly comfortable. It performs flawlessly but remains enjoyable for everyday driving!
Regretfully, this extraordinary driving experience was already coming to an end. We take the next exit to head back to the dealership. However, as we are changing directions, a heavy downpour drops from the sky! We hurry up to get the roof closed up, which the soft top manages in record time. The way back also grants us the opportunity of experiencing the incredible soundproofing, surprising for a convertible with its roof in place. It is also the perfect occasion to see if the Porsche all-wheel-drive technology is going to live up to its reputation. We are happy to report that it does not only live up to it, but also that the AWD system literally has our 911 glued to the road even if it is flooded.
Conclusion: the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is THE most extraordinary 911 for daily use!
This is precisely how we would sum up our 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS test drive: incredibly seductive, with or without its soft top up, as well as unparalleled performance for a vehicle of its category, yet that remains usable for everyday driving, in any road conditions. As for the cutting-edge technologies, they are also at the top of their game. Simply said, this 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is a true masterpiece.