The 911 Carrera GTS was first introduced in 2011 as a new mid-level version of the sports car placed above the regular Carrera and below the GT3. Equipped with a beefed-up, naturally aspirated engine, and a wider track, the GTS quickly became a favorite among 911 enthusiasts looking for a driver's non-turbo Porsche. The GTS was redesigned in 2014 for the 991-generation 911 and updated again in 2015 when it ditches the naturally aspirated flat-six for a twin-turbo 3.0-liter unit. Come 2017, and Porsche used the GTS to launch the British Legends Edition, a 911 that pays tribute to the company's success at Le Mans.

Designed around the 911 Carrera 4 GTS, the British Legends Edition is dedicated to three British drivers that won the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Developed by Porsche Cars Great Britain and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, this limited-edition GTS comes in three forms, each dedicated to race drivers Richard Attwood, Derek Bell and Nick Tandy, who each took wins at Le Mans for the factory Porsche team in 1970, 1982 and 2015, respectively. For each driver there is a unique coupe identified by the number of their winning Porsche racing car and its color scheme incorporated into the livery. Let's have a closer look at them below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS British Legends Edition.

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS British Legends Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS British Legends Edition
  • Engine/Motor: flat-6
  • Horsepower: 450
  • Torque: 405
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS British Legends Edition special?

Arguably, the most important feature of these cars are their respective liveries. The Guards Red car is a tribute to Richard Attwood and sports the colors of the No. 23 car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970. More specifically, Attwood scored Porsche first-even overall win at Le Mans in a Porsche 917 wearing the red-and-white "Porsche Salzburg" livery. While the 911 GTS isn't painted in the exact same color scheme, it features white stripes and the number on the front fender side and above the side skirts.

The second car, a tribute to Derek Bell, is painted in Sapphire Blue and rounded off by white, red, and gold stripes on the lower body. These colors are taken of the Rothmans-liveried Porsche 956 that Bell drove to victory at Le Mans in 1982. Just like the race car, the GTS sports the number one above the side skirts. Finally, there's the Carrara White car that celebrates the company's success from 2015, when it returned to Le Mans after almost two decades. This car's lower side panels are painted grey and sport the No. 19 of the 919 Hybrid LMP1 that Nick Tandy drove to victory in 2015.

Of course, all three race cars won their respective Le Mans races with other drivers behind the steering wheel, but this special edition is a tribute to British drivers only. Just so you race freaks out there know why the other aren't mention.

On top of this special liveries, each British Legends Edition also features special badges with the British flag, the driver's name, the year of their win, and their signature.

Inside, each GTS comes with carbon-fiber door sills with British flags and "British Legends Edition" lettering and a custom central armrest with the same theme as the badges. Porsche also added extra carbon-fiber trim and Alcantara inside each model.

Under the hood, the cars remain identical to the standard 911 Carrera 4 GTS, but that's nothing to sneeze at. Powered by a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter flat-six engine rated at 450 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, the GTS needs 3.8 seconds to hit 60 mph with the manual transmission and 3.4 click with the PDK. Top speed is rated at 192 and 191 mph, respectively. All-wheel-drive is standard on this model.

Pricing for the Guards Red is set at £122,376, while the Sapphire Blue and Carrara White models retail from £123,210. For reference, the standard 911 Carrera 4 GTS retails from £100,781. Granted, it's quite the premium you have to pay for the British Legends Edition, but you get a few exclusive features and the chance to own a fast 911 that pays tribute to even faster cars and drivers. Not a bad deal!

References

Porsche 911 Carrera

Read our full review on the 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.

Read our full review on the 2015 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.

Read our full review on the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera.