The number of sports cars in continuous production for more than half a century can be counted the foot of a three-toed sloth. The Chevrolet Corvette went into production in 1953, the Ford Mustang and Porsche 911 in 1964. Each of these cars have evolved over the decades. But this 2025 911 Carrera GTS is electric.
For the first time in the 911’s history, Porsche has added electrification to power system.
As is indicated by the decal on the bottom of the driver and passenger doors, the GTS is a t-hybrid. The ‘t’ stands for turbo. The GTS has two electric motors: one powers the turbocharger, which helps it get up to speed quicker, reducing turbo lag; the other is tucked into the eight-speed, automatic, dual-clutch PDK transmission. (PDK stands for Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe.)
The base 911 and 911 S come with a three-litre engine. This GTS has a new 3.6-litre, turbocharged, flat six-cylinder boxer engine that cranks out 478 horsepower. The electric motor assisting the transmission produces 54 horsepower. Combined power from the engine and electric motor is 532 hp. The result is seamlessly rapid performance.
The 911 GTS is blazingly fast. Plant your right foot to the floor and it will launch from 0-100 km/h in just three seconds. How fast is that? Porsche offers 18 different 911 models, ranging in price from $143,600 to more than $300,000. For bragging rights, this GTS is the fastest in accelerating of the bunch. If you’re brave enough, and can find a long enough straightaway at a race track, you can try to reach its top speed of 312 km/h.
Nestling into these optional 18-way adjustable adaptive sport seats ($3,460) and I can sense its illustrious history and heritage. But this is a thoroughly modern 911. Everything looks and feels as you would hope.
One thing is missing, at least for some of us: a manual transmission. That’s because, for 2025, the 911 S, 4S and GTS models are only available with the PDK. If you want a manual transmission 911, you have to try to find a Carrera T or one of the GT3 models.
The 911 GTS also comes standard with rear-wheel steering, which improves low-speed manoeuvreability and high-speed stability. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels, helping the car to pivot better. At higher speeds, above 80 km/h, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels, making the car more stable during high-speed manoeuvring.
Firing up this Lugano Blue ($1,710 option) GTS in my garage every morning was an aural treat. Cold starts of this powerful boxer engine are amplified thanks to its GTS-specific sport exhaust system. Once out on the open road, this is a very impressive car to drive. It is rock solid. It feels as though I am driving a high-performance vault. It has a ride that enthusiasts love. Spouses? Maybe not so much.
Its power, handling and performance are addictive. But it is also a pleasure to live with as a daily driver, calmly cruising around town. The all-wheel drive models would be more practical in the winter months, but this rear-wheel-drive version provides for a purer 911 driving experience.
Options can add up to the cost of another Porsche. One worth considering is the $2,500 Porsche Experience Centre º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøDelivery. You can take delivery of your car at Porsche’s new track in Pickering, Ont., have a 90-minute drive in an equivalent model and a private lunch (for you and three of your buddies).
Porsche’s racing success adds to its lustre. The car-maker has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most prestigious endurance car race in the world, 19 times overall, and posted an additional 112 class victories. The most by any manufacturer. The Porsche 911 that won its class in 1966 shares the same profile as the 911 that won its class at this year’s race. Over the past 60 years, the 911 has evolved, but never really deviated too far from its iconic shape. Its consistent and distinct design language is another of the keys to its success. More than 1.2 million 911s have been built over the past six decades.
The first 911 I drove was a 1970s air-cooled model once owned by Geddy Lee from the legendary Canadian rock band Rush. I ended up buying a 1980s 911 SC Targa and was bitten by the bug. I’m not sure there’s a cure for this, other than by getting another one. The 2025 911 Carrera GTS would be a great antidote.
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