Porsche 911 Carrera GTS: The Shocking Showdown That Proves It's Faster Than You Think
The storied 911 Carrera GTS has redefined itself once again, as Porsche steps into the electrified era. As the German automaker readies the stage for its upcoming Turbo S, we find ourselves captivated by a generational clash. Mat Watson pits the all-new hybrid GTS against its predecessor—proving that even Porsche’s official claims can be outshined by the reality of the track.
The Evolution of a Legend
For decades, the 911 Carrera has held a venerable spot in the sports car pantheon. Its profile remains largely untouched since its inception in 1963, standing as a testament to Porsche’s timeless design philosophy. Yet with each generation, just when it seems the 911 has reached its zenith, Porsche manages to push the boundaries even further. This time, the stakes are higher with the hybrid GTS, an incarnation that’s eager to pummel its own past iterations.
Old vs. New
But can the new hybrid GTS really leave the old Carrera GTS in its dust? Mat Watson, teaming up with the legendary racing driver Mark Webber, sets the stage to find out. With both men behind the wheel of their respective GTS models, they hit the drag strip for an experiment that’s anything but mundane—proving yet again that Porsche's quest for improvement is unceasing.
Mat Watson takes on the hybrid, boasting an eye-popping 532 hp and 449 lb-ft of torque, which effortlessly translates into a sprint that could embarrass many of its rivals. Its three-liter, electric-turbo six-cylinder engine is a marvel of modern engineering—muscular yet efficient, sophisticated yet visceral. The combustion element alone churns out a near-identical output to the previous GTS, approximately 478 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Weight and Power
One would assume that the added weight of the hybrid, around 110 lbs more than the earlier model, would hinder its performance. But that's hardly the case. The dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission, a signature of Porsche’s unparalleled engineering, manages the added heft masterfully, ensuring that power is not only maintained but perhaps even better distributed.
The Drivers
Mat Watson, whose popularity on YouTube is largely driven by his sharp driving skills and incisive car reviews, finds a worthy opponent in Mark Webber. Webber, with a racing career that includes a historic take-off at Le Mans, doesn’t just ride on his accolades; he’s good—exceptionally so. This expertise was clear as the racers exchanged their vehicles, forcing the GTS to pull up its socks against a formula-honed driver.
The Drag Results
Over the quarter-mile, the hybrid GTS consistently outpaced its predecessor—not just by inches but by car lengths. On an overcast day where conditions were less than perfect, Webber’s high-speed expertise shined through. He managed to clock the hybrid at 10.9 seconds, smashing Porsche's official claim of 11 seconds flat. Comparatively, Watson, propelling the older GTS, could muster an 11.4-second run at best.
Switching cars only deepened the experiment’s narrative; if Webber could leverage every ounce of the hybrid’s potential, then surely so could Watson in the older model. The results remained lopsided, and Watson’s less refined racing edge didn’t suffice against Webber’s Formula One-tempered skills. Such a remarkable performance gap underlines a profound truth: while the machine is engineered to perfection, the human element can’t be underestimated.
Final Thoughts
This drag race goes beyond mere numbers and times. It’s a narrative of constant evolution, one where a brand’s storied past meets relentless innovation. Porsche’s 911 Carrera GTS stands as a testament to what can be achieved when heritage and innovation walk hand in hand. Even when it’s a fight against itself, the Porsche spirit, embodied by the GTS models, always aims for nothing less than the extraordinary.
