• RWD vs. AWD - Sport Auto Porsche 991 Carrera S versus 991 Carrera 4S test numbers in the dry, wet, and snow

                    
      		   
      Published on 02-22-2013 01:21 AM
      1 Comment Comments
      Interesting comparison here by Sport Auto between the 991 Carrera S which is rear wheel drive and the 991 Carrera 4S which is all wheel drive. Both cars have the same 3.8 liter flat-6 engine with 400 horsepower. The test cars are both manual so it is interesting to see how the addition of all wheel drive changes things. The difference in weight between the two cars just 29 kilograms (just 63 pounds) which really is not much additional weight at all.

      The acceleration figures in every test favor the all wheel drive C4S. Even up to 124 miles per hour the lighter rear wheel drive Carrera S just can not catch it even in the dry. The C4S acceleration advantage obviously gets much larger in the wet and in the snow.

      It is not just acceleration that favors the C4S thanks to traction but the track times as well. The Hockenheim laptime for the C4S on a dry track is faster as well, considerably by 3/10's. Check out the full data below.



      Porsche 911 Carrera S vs. 911 Carrera 4S

      Both with manual gearboxes.

      Dry
      - Tyres: Pirelli P Zero
      - Weight: 1505 kg vs. 1534 kg
      - 0-40 km/h: 1,5 s vs. 1,2 s
      - 0-100 km/h: 4,7 s vs. 4,3 s
      - 0-160 km/h: 9,9 s vs. 9,4 s
      - 0-200 km/h: 15,1 s vs. 14,6 s
      - Braking (100-0 km/h): 33,3 m vs. 33,2 m
      - Hockenheimring: 1.12,0 min vs. 1.11,7 min


      Wet
      - Tyres: Pirelli P Zero
      - Weight: 1505 kg vs. 1534 kg
      - 0-40 km/h: 1,9 s vs. 1,4 s
      - 0-100 km/h: 5,2 s vs. 4,8 s
      - 0-160 km/h: 10,5 s vs. 10,1 s
      - 0-200 km/h: 15,7 s vs. 15,2 s
      - Braking (100-0 km/h): 38,9 m vs. 38,6 m
      - Hockenheimring: 1.26,6 min vs. 1.26,6 min


      Snow
      - Tyres: Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4
      - Weight: 1513 kg vs. 1540 kg
      - 0-40 km/h: 6,7 s vs. 3,6 s
      - 0-100 km/h: 18,5 s vs. 10,9 s
      - Braking (100-0 km/h): 115,7 m vs. 114,5 m
      - Hockenheimring: 2.18,5 min vs. 2.12,4 min

      This article was originally published in forum thread: RWD vs. AWD - Sport Auto Porsche 991 Carrera S versus 991 Carrera 4S test numbers in the dry, wet, and snow started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 11 Comments
      1. inlineS54B32's Avatar
        inlineS54B32 - 02-22-2013, 07:57 PM
        Wow, I am very surprised about the dry numbers. Especially looking at times like 0-160 km/h (0-100) - that's nuts. I wonder if they tuned the engine a bit differently on the C4S? Otherwise, I can't understand it.

        Fascinatingly awesome car. I would take either.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-22-2013, 07:58 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by inlineS54B32 Click here to enlarge
        Wow, I am very surprised about the dry numbers. Especially looking at times like 0-160 km/h (0-100) - that's nuts. I wonder if they tuned the engine a bit differently on the C4S? Otherwise, I can't understand it.
        Having trouble understanding it as well.
      1. DD GT3 RD's Avatar
        DD GT3 RD - 02-22-2013, 08:30 PM
        They both should have been PDK. So much of the times are driver dependent...
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-22-2013, 08:33 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DD GT3 RD Click here to enlarge
        They both should have been PDK. So much of the times are driver dependent...
        The conditions clearly make a big difference in each of them but I agree the PDK would take the driver factor out.
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 02-22-2013, 08:43 PM
        The difference in weight for the 4S could be the same as different amounts of fuel in each car - very nominal. Kind of a no brainer which to choose.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-22-2013, 08:48 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LZH Click here to enlarge
        The difference in weight for the 4S could be the same as different amounts of fuel in each car - very nominal. Kind of a no brainer which to choose.
        It's impressive how lightweight Porsche's system is.
      1. DD GT3 RD's Avatar
        DD GT3 RD - 02-22-2013, 11:12 PM
        Most people I know still prefer the RWD due to Better steering feel. At least on the previous models
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 02-23-2013, 01:21 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DD GT3 RD Click here to enlarge
        Most people I know still prefer the RWD due to Better steering feel. At least on the previous models
        True, but the technology has gotten so good that those who want manual gearboxes and RWD are simply living in the past and don't want to admit that technology has passed them by. Hey, I'm a purist too, and love feeling totally connected to the car and being in complete control. But sooner or later people are are going to have to make a choice....being the fastest, or being the most nostalgic. Personally, I like winning. All those guys who want to manually shift a RWD car are going to end up running at the back of the pack.
      1. M3_WC's Avatar
        M3_WC - 02-23-2013, 01:21 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DD GT3 RD Click here to enlarge
        Most people I know still prefer the RWD due to Better steering feel. At least on the previous models
        Funny thing is with the new electric steering, the 4S extra driveshafts up front gives you more feel in the corners.

        Henry from EVO did a great review of the new 4S.

      1. whoosh's Avatar
        whoosh - 02-23-2013, 09:30 AM
        I wonder how this MT test between the CS and GT-R would play out with the C4S. Given that the figure 8 lap times here were "nearly identical" using the C4, the C4S would seemingly beat the GT-R.

      1. 654's Avatar
        654 - 02-23-2013, 10:17 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3_WC Click here to enlarge
        Funny thing is with the new electric steering, the 4S extra driveshafts up front gives you more feel in the corners.

        Henry from EVO did a great review of the new 4S.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMklzHtHGwc
        Beautiful. Thanks.
        I've been a fan of 4S since 996. The new one seems to be awesome, better than S in every aspect, with the hilariously small, totally insignificant, weight penalty. I would happily pay a lot more for 4S vs S.