SOME say that it's the most beautiful sports car money can buy. Some even say it's the most beautiful car money can buy. So who am I to argue?

One thing's for sure, I for one certainly wouldn't turn it away.

The latest Porsche 911 Carrera 4 all-wheel-drive models truly are magnificent and not only do they turns heads, but can make the heart flutter every time you catch sight of one.

December sees the new Carrera 4 offerings from the German marque arrive in UK showrooms in Coupé; Coupé S; Cabriolet and Cabriolet S guise, priced at £77,924; £87,959; £86,583 and £96,619 respectively.

Both versions retain the engines found on the current rear-wheel-drive versions, thus the Carrera 4 Coupé and Cabriolet get the 345bhp 3.4-litre flat-six engine, while the S models receive the more powerful 394bhp 3.8-litre unit.

From the outside, the Carrera 4 still retains the classic 911 silhouette, but the wheelbase has been lengthened and the roofline lowered to give it its own identity. The rear track has also been increased and the flared wheel arches beefed up accordingly.

And just to make it easy to distinguish the newcomer from its rear-wheel-drive cousin, Porsche have added an extra-slim strip light under the engine cover to join up with the rear light clusters.

Porsche's active four-wheel drive system is as good as it gets. Updated from the previous system found on the 997 911 Turbo, it can switch up to 100 per cent of the power to either axle in a mind-boggling 100 milliseconds.

The more powerful S models also get a torque vectoring system which can distribute power between each rear wheel, as well as either front or rear axle.

Models fitted with the optional PDK twin-clutch automatic gearbox are fitted with an electronic locking diff, while standard seven-speed manual boxes get a mechanical version.

The Carrera 4 puts all the power to the rear wheels until it recognises that the driver is seeking more grunt or that the car is cornering hard.

Then the system kicks-in in earnest, with the supreme handling and poise generated from drive to all four wheels delivering so much confidence that the driver will want to keep piling on the pressure via his right foot.

For an out-and-out sports car, in standard mode the ride quality is remarkably compliant. Like all Porsches the car is well planted and remains calm and collected over most road surfaces.

But change to sport setting and the car tightens up to become something that's in tune of the demands of the more involved drivers.

However, thanks to its fabulous traction and grip, it offers a much more forgiving drive compared with the two-wheel-drive version. Something which will suit many current Porsche owners and newcomers to the brand alike.

 £77,924

: 3,436cc, 345bhp flat-six engine, driving all wheels through seven-speed manual gearbox

: 177mph

: 4.9 seconds

: Combined 30.4mpg

: 219g/km

: 3yrs/unlimited miles

 £87,959

3,800cc, 394bhp flat-six engine, driving all wheels through seven-speed manual gearbox

: 185mph

: 4.5 seconds

: Combined 28.5mpg

: 234g/km

:3yrs/unlimited miles