Porsche 911 Carrera 4s

ENGINE 2981cc flat-6, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo POWER 331kW @ 6500rpm TORQUE 530Nm @ 2300-5000rpm 0-100KM/H 3.4sec (claimed) WEIGHT 1565kg • PRICE $281,100

- Scott Newman

OF ALL THE SPORTS cars on sale today, the one that least needs all-wheel drive is the Porsche 911. The weight of the engine pressing down on the rear axle ensures incredible traction in all conditions. Nevertheless, since 1989 the Carrera 4 has been a pivotal part of the 911 range, particularly in markets prone to snow and ice, and even in new 992 guise it provides a subtly different driving experience to its more popular rear-drive sibling.

As you’d expect, the Carrera 4S benefits from the many engineering changes made for the 992 generation. The body is longer (20mm) and wider (by 45mm front; 44mm rear) though the wheelbase remains the same, while the bodyshell is lighter yet more rigid thanks to a much greater proportion of aluminium and high-strength steel as well as a huge variety of construction methods to stick it all together.

The engine remains the 2981cc twin-turbo flat-six introduced for 991.2, but extensively revised with larger turbos, a new intake system, repositioned intercoolers and piezo injectors for finer fuel control. Outputs match the outgoing GTS at 331kW/530Nm, but the new engine is both more efficient – though does without the petrol particulate filters required in Europe – and has more headroom.