A Turbo may be faster and a GT3 more focused, but in the real world, this is the Porsche 911 you need.

Well, it certainly was last time around. The last Carrera GTS acted as a run-out special for the old 997 generation of 911, and it's back for a second time, though long before the 991 generation is ready to bow out. That's because this 911 needs to be fighting fit to exchange blows with the new Mercedes AMG GT.

So what makes a sub-GT3 911 so enticing? Well, it looks cracking for starters. The wider body used on four-wheel-drive 911s is used across all versions of the GTS, with flared rear arches accommodating a wider rear axle (for better handling). There's also an ace set of matt black 20in alloys, complete with the cool centre-locking nuts of the GT3.

The GTS uses the 3.8-litre flat-six engine from the Carrera S, though with a healthy 30bhp boost to take its total output to 424bhp. A seven-speed manual gearbox is standard, while the seven-speed PDK paddleshift transmission is an option.

Its top speed is 190mph, while with PDK fitted it can complete 0-62mph in 4.0sec and achieve 32.5mpg, though we'd imagine those two figures are mutually exclusive. Another must have 911 option, Sport Chrono (which brings lap timing, launch control and active engine mounts), is standard, as is Porsche Torque Vectoring, which includes a limited-slip differential.

Other desirable options boxes come already ticked, too: clever 'Dynamic Lighting' bi-xenon headlights, a sports exhaust and adaptive dampers are all standard, as is an Alcantara and leather interior.

And perhaps the greatest facet of the Carrera GTS is how suitable it will be for everyday life. There are still back seats, and with the option of coupe or convertible, rear- or four-wheel-drive and manual or paddleshift versions - leading to eight different combinations - you can make it suit your lifestyle just nicely too.

We'll take a nice simple RWD manual coupe, though, please. Kicking off the range at £91,098, it's wading into the AMG GT's market with its fists already clenched.