People who spend their day-to-day lives delivering Porsche sports cars are not easily impressed – but this driver was.

“That,” he said, eyeing up the 911 Carrera 4 GTS, “is a proper car.”

Proper as in six cylinders, six-speed manual gearbox and hundreds of horsepower. Not to mention 0-62mph acceleration of 4.6 seconds and an eye-watering potential top speed of 188mph.

Politically correct the GTS is not. Potent fun it is.

From the second the straight six crackles into life you know that the spirit of the original 911 is alive and kicking.

Unseen beneath the wide-bottomed bodywork, the four-wheel-drive system delivers tangible extra traction, which is vital in controlling the ferocious-sounding power plant.

That sort of power – five times that of a small hatchback – sounds like it could be a handful, but the six-cylinder engine delivers its energy in a thoroughly relaxed and easily controlled manner.

So whether you are pootling along in rush-hour traffic, or cruising at speed on a motorway, the GTS is surprisingly easy to manage.

Yes, the clutch needs a forceful punch of the left leg to operate, but the six-speed gearbox is light, slick and flick-of-the-wrist easy to operate.

Fitted in combination with the up-rated engine is a special exhaust system which produces a distinctly sporty sound, that can be tweaked even further by a touch of a button on the centre console that pumps up the volume.

If that unmistakable sound is not enough to help Porsche aficionados spot the difference, the exhaust tailpipes of the GTS are finished in a distinctive black and all models with all-wheel-drive have a reflective stripe between the tail lights.

As well as the characteristic all-wheel-drive, flared wheel arch and wide body style, all GTS models have increased rear track width.

In other details, the GTS models differ both visually and technically from the other Carrera models.

For example, they run on 19in RS Spyder alloy wheels in black with a racing-style central wheel bolt and gloss-finished rims.

Additional visual features include the Sport-Design front apron with black painted spoiler lip and special side skirts, also in black.

Inside, there are a pair of sports seats for driver and passenger, and a pair of rear seats suitable for children only and sporting black Alcantara trim covers seat centre panels, steering wheel rim, gearshift and handbrake lever, door handles and door storage box lid.

Instrumentation stretches to five dials, but information is crystal clear and a digital speed read-out helps to ensure you stick to the limit. Goodies include a touchscreen-operated audio and satnav system and every Carrera 4 GTS is fitted with a tracking system should the vehicle be stolen.

Porsche also makes spacious grand touring cars, even more spacious 4x4s, hybrids, and even bicycles if you have £5,000 to spare. Thankfully it still builds proper cars.

Price: £83,145 Insurance group: 20 Fuel consumption (Combined): 26.9mpg Top speed: 188mph Length: 443.5cm/174.6in Width: 185.2cm/72.9in Luggage capacity: 3.7 cu ft Fuel tank capacity: 14.7 gallons/67 litres CO2 emissions: 247g/km Warranty: 3 years/unlimited mileage