If there is one thing we’ve all come to appreciate with Porsche it is the continued evolution of their 911 line. Over the generations, the Porsche 911’s have seen a subsequent enhancement in engine output, efficiency, and overall driving experience. Yet even with all these awesome changes, the 911 has remained true to its original concept, and even now, it’s not hard to spot the sports car driving past you and instantly recognize it as a 911. The rear engine mounting, and the stylish yet simple design, all help retain that signature Porsche look. And the latest generation 992 which first came out in 2019 has followed suit. Get inside the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and you’ll notice the power, amazing handling, superb grip, and comfortable driving leaving you to wonder whether any trim above the 4S is even necessary. A quick look at the new 911 Carrera 4S coupe and it seems like there are almost no changes to the previous generation. But as we have come to learn, there is more than meets the eye with Porsche. A closer look and you’ll notice some neat improvements that are worthy of appreciation. Other changes though, let’s say can be critiqued. More on that in this 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Review.
Stand in front of the Carrera 4S and you’ll immediately recognize the familiar nose design, but as you move more towards the back, you start to pick up on the new changes. The taillights are a one continuous bar that could cause you to mistake the 2023 Porsche 911 as an EV. The air inlets are also now part of the front bumper. There is no missing the center-mounted brake lights or the two huge exhausts. However, it’s worth mentioning that these are false with the real ones situated near the recesses of the bumper. Porsche is not disappointed when it comes to interior space, referring of course to the front seats. Even if you are over 6 feet tall you are still able to adjust the seats to a position that best suits your frame thanks to the 4-way power driver seat with 2-way manual adjustability. The same though cannot be said with the rear seats as they seem more suited to a small child or perhaps just a position for your beloved wolf descendant member of your family or extra bags. Let’s face it, the Porsche 911 line doesn’t offer much in terms of cargo space with just 4.6 cubic feet. On the upside, the rear seats can be folded back to offer some much-needed room for extra luggage.
You’ll find an ideal driving position with excellent forward visibility thanks to the height-adjustable seats. You may notice a bit of the hood sticking out but this isn’t much of an issue considering you’ll be snuck tight behind the steering wheel. The rear visibility is also excellent which is more than can be said for others in the 911 line like the Carrera Cabriolet. While there are similarities with say the Carrera 4, you can spot some visual differences too such as a rectangular tailpipe in the C4 and twin round tailpipes in the C4S. But it isn’t all dandy with the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrara 4S. Let’s mention something about those door handles. This time they come electrically operated and will slide out slightly when you unlock the car. However, they feel a bit flimsy, as if they could break when you continuously apply too much force. Then there is the gear shifter which is nonexistent in the 992 generation and was instead replaced by a new small shifter that only allows you to shift gears with the shift paddles behind and close to the steering wheel. Some have complained that these are frustrating to use owing to a large extent of their positioning.
There have been changes in the motor compared to the previous generation which many fans around the globe will appreciate. While it is a rear-mounted 3.0-liter direct injection flat-6 like in the previous generation, the horsepower has increased by 13 to 443 horsepower and 22 unit increase in torque to 390 lb-ft. Some interesting 911 Carrera 4S specs include an all-wheel drive, and a Sport Chrono package which combined will propel the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S from a standing stop to 60mph in just 3.4 seconds and many a test showing more impressive figures, what you have is a nimble vehicle that will leave most cars behind inhaling nothing but dust. And if you want to feel what the C4S is all about, try pressing the brakes and gas for a few seconds and releasing the brake at the sign of the launch control and feel your internals being pushed towards your back. This is about the time you’d be asking yourself if it’s even worth getting a higher trim. And the car isn’t just impressive in a drag race. It will also leave you smiling when taking those tight corners as there’s almost no leaning with all four wheels fixed on the road while the vehicle changes direction with feline grace. Simply put, all the parts and pieces work in perfect harmony allowing you to enjoy your cruise down the highway. And when shifting gears, that 8-speed automated manual transmission feels smooth and supple all this with the stock suspension. Upgrade to Porsches PASM suspension system and the ride feels like you are driving on butter. On the flip side, you will notice both road noise and wind owing to the car dropping down 0.4 inches with the PASM. If there is one thing the 911 line is known for it is the efficient fuel consumption and this is true with the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. It does 18 miles to the gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. But we should probably point out that such numbers will evaporate if you fail to contain your urge to have a blast.
A Stylish Interior With New Titbits
Porsche hasn’t really made it their thing to fill up the car interior with a myriad of tech and titbits but with the latest generation C4S, this has all changed. First to grab your attention is the 10.9-inch PCM info system which is not just super responsive to the touch but is also highly easy to navigate and use. When you compare it to the size of the dash, it seems a perfect fit. You will get both Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. It is quick and easy to connect it to your smartphone screen which interestingly will not take up the whole screen. This means that you’ll still be able to access other screen functions while connected to your phone. And that’s not all with the new C4S. There are two other screens on both sides of the tachometer which you can control with the scroller on your steering wheel. With it, you can access more info such as the map or music which is pretty neat. You will get the standard safety features such as emergency braking and parking sensors and a backup camera. But if you feel like you could do with blind spot monitoring, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control, then simply dig a little deeper in your pockets for them
When Porsche released the Carrera S, it was an instant hit among car fans and sales were pretty good. But soon the Carrera S owners started to notice that the car had a bit of an understeer even when moving at lower speeds. Porsche provided a solution in the Carrera 4S with the 4 standing for an all-wheel-drive system. The engine was the same 3.6-liter as in the Carrera S but had even more output at 285hp. It was mated to a 6-speed manual. This first generation was in production from 1995 to 1998. Then from 2001 to 2005, Porsche released the second generation 4S. It came with a new design upgrade such as a completely new stereo system and upgraded headlights. It also had a more powerful 3.6-liter engine that produced 320hp and could either be mated to a 5-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmission.
The years 2005 to 2008 saw Porsche fans treated to the new 4S 997 which had an even more powerful 3.8-liter engine and was available with a 5-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmission. The engine could produce 355 hp. The car also had new design elements such as a wider body which made it look a lot meaner than the previous generation. Porsche continued to evolve the 911 4S and from 2008 to 2012 released a new generation. Like the previous one, it also featured a fresh design such as larger air intakes. While it had the same 3.8-liter engine from the previous generation, this one could produce 385 hp. 2012 to 2018 saw buyers treated to yet another generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. It had a smaller cabin and the windscreen was a tat more angled to give it more aerodynamics. The 3.8-liter flat-6 produced up to 400 hp and could either come with a 7-speed manual or 7-speed auto PDK transmission. Then in 2018, Porsche was set to release the eighth generation of the 911 Carrera 4S at the LA Motor Show featuring full LEDs and had a 3.0-liter flat six that could produce 430 hp at 6500 rpms. This engine was only available with an 8-speed auto PDK transmission.
In our 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S review we’ve seen how amazing a car this is. As for how much you need to set aside to own one of these marvels of German engineering, it's $130,300 for the 2-door coupe and $143,100 for the 2-door convertible. If you want extra such as an extended dashboard in leather then we’re talking plus $1540, or the night vision assist at $2540 but it all depends on you.
Superb handling, great looks, great tech, and a load of power are what should come to mind with the 2023 Carrera 4S. Want to get your hands on one of these? Exotic Car Trader can help you out. We not only help you find your ideal model; we are your partner all through the buying process until the car reaches your door regardless of the state you are in.
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