What is it?
The second generation 997 Carrera S (group test here) equipped with all-wheel drive. It’ll set you back £73,146.
 
Technical highlights?
The C4S no longer uses a viscous coupling, instead the power is distributed by an electromagnetically controlled multi-plate clutch, able to shuffle the grunt around much faster and more effectively than before. In total the car weighs just 55kg more than the two-wheel drive Carrera.

What’s it like to drive?
It’s a couple of seconds faster around a damp lap of the Bedford Autodrome, and it feels as though it’s been set up for such conditions. The differences transfer in a similar way to greasy roads, C4S gives you more options than the 2 and there are fewer hairy moments when you’re waiting for the tyres to react to a cornering request. In short, most of the tactility and rewards of driving a Porsche 911 with a four-wheel-drive safety net.

How does it compare?
The C2S requires a higher skill level in the winter than this 4, handing more of the task of getting it round the track to the driver. The purity of the 2wd set up means that on a warm summer day it would still be more fun and the lap time gap between the two would be considerably smaller.
 
Anything else I need to know?
Porsche run a course at their Silverstone Performance centre where you can try both for yourself.
 
For a more in-depth look into the differences between the C2S and the C4S on track, grab a copy of evo 142, on sale 3rd March.

Follow evo on Twitter and our Facebook page for car news

Video track test of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S is this way