Porsche Cayman

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Top Gear Dives Into The New Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 RS

As part of the recent “Green Promise” that many car manufacturers are heading for, we all know that the most powerful, fastest, extreme, and best handling supercars and hypercars of the near and distant future will be electric. Bugatti Rimac has been formed as part of that promise, and Porsche has a major stake in the company through both its own investments and through its parent, Volkswagen Group.

This is not to say, however, that Porsche is going to quietly shuffle their engines that run on recycled dinosaurs into the storage room, however, not at all. Instead, they’ve turned around and let the GT department, their skunkworks team, at Stuttgart go slightly (read: completely) insane. The result is a $145,000 USD Porsche Cayman that carries a 4.0L flat-six engine from a Type 992 GT3 with the wick turned up to 11, has exhausts with the bare minimum of baffles to pass road legality making it the loudest Cayman ever made, and can keep up with a Lotus Exige in terms of handling.

The new Cayman 718 GT4 RS, according to Porsche themselves at least, is not meant to be a track monster. It certainly can be, and there is a customer-spec version of the GT4 race car coming in the GT4 RS Clubsport, dedicated to track only use. This beast is meant to be an “experience,” a car that makes the driver become part of the machine, the two symbiotically working together to scream bloody murder out those nearly direct-port exhausts and catapult the car to the horizon as fast as possible.

Top Gear GT4 RS overview — Regular GT4 on the right, GT4 RS on the left. Notice the far more aggressive diffuser, “hang down” wing, and larger exhaust exits

Sure, it can lap the Nurburgring’s famous Nordschleife track in 7 minutes and 4 seconds. Sure, it has unbelievably good handling and its aerodynamics are machined and tuned to precision German standards. But by letting the GT department off the leash, they’ve also made, as Top Gear describes it in the video below, a car that is steeped in the highest levels of “engineering nerdery.”

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Our take? While there are still petrol-powered engines around, Porsche should let the GT department off the leash more often, if this is what results from the German equivalent of going mental!

November 17, 2021 / Comments Off

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The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport

Porsche only just revealed the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but there is even more news in their 718 range, simultaneous Porsche also unveiled their latest mid-engined race car, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, with the 4-Liter six-cylinder boxer engine taken directly from the 911 GT3 Cup race car, pumping out 500 PS in the 718 Clubsport version, an increase of 75 PS compared to the previous GT4 Clubsport edition.

Depending on the track and series-specific regulations, the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport can achieve lap times that are over two percent quicker than the previous model. The homologated vehicle is track-ready straight from the factory in Weissach and can be used in SRO racing series around the world without the need for additional modifications, pricing starts at 196.000 Euro or 229.000 Dollars, not including specific taxes.

“We have incorporated our experience of the last three years of running the previous GT4 Clubsport as well as customer wishes into the development of the new car,” said Michael Dreiser, Manager of Sales and Distribution at Porsche Motorsport. “Faster lap times combined with a further improvement in driveability offer our customers a competitive product for the upcoming racing seasons in GT4 class racing competitions around the world.”

The first Cayman GT4 Clubsport was introduced back in 2016 already based on the 981 generation, to offer customers a very competitive race car, in just two years a total of 421 were built, for 2019 a new model based on the 718 Cayman GT4 debuted, of which about 500 would find clients, mostly thanks to the low running costs of these GT4 race cars in the hands of customer teams.

This tradition is continued with the brand new 2022 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, the 4-Liter boxer engine replaces the previous 3.8-liter six-cylinder unit, and it is about 18% more powerful with its 500 PS at 8,300 rpm thanks to an optimized air intake, also note this new engine car sustain up to 9,000 rpm while it comes with a torque of 425 Nm at 6,600 rpm, resulting in a broad speed band, making the car easier to handle for amateur drivers, but still powerful enough for professional race car drivers.

Upgrades include the use of two-way adjustable shock absorbers with improved characteristics, in addition to adjustable sword-type anti-roll bars front and rear. Vehicle height, camber, and toe are also adjustable. Furthermore, three different spring rates for front and rear axles are now available. Special NACA ducts in the bonnet are designed to direct the airflow more efficiently to the large racing brake-ing system fitted with 380-millimeter steel brake discs.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport comes with a further extended front spoiler lip compared to the road car for additional downforce, while vents on the wheel arches were inspired by the 911 GT3 R model and vertical fins on the front bumper create an air curtain for the front wheels, naturally, the entire underbody is closed for this race car and it doubles as an optimization for the rear diffuser.

The ‘hanging’ rear wing, also called swan neck, comes with a 20mm long Gurney flap, with an additional pair of adjustment ranges added for more personalization during racing.

November 17, 2021 / Comments Off

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Porsche x LA Auto Show: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Specs Revealed

Late last month, we brought you coverage of Porsche’s confirmation that there would be a GT4 RS model after all. Not a whole lot was known at that time, though what was presented to us was more than sufficient in painting the picture of just how great of a car it was shaping up to be. The most noteworthy fact was that it set a blistering lap time of 7:04.511 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. This is some 23.6 seconds quicker than the 718 Cayman GT4, suggesting that virtually no part of the car was spared the ‘RS’ treatment.

Now we know a lot more about the ‘how’ and the ‘why’, and Porsche has decided to provide those details to us as part of their participation in the 2021 LA Auto Show, alongside their unveiling of the new Taycan GTS models and the Panamera Platinum Edition. At the forefront of this is the GT4 RS’ engine. It was public knowledge that the powerplant would be a 4.0L naturally-aspirated flat-6 unit, likely a derivative (read: detuned version) of those used in current 992 GT3 and GT3 Touring. Porsche have certainly fulfilled these parameters. You can view a recording of the livestream event, below:

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What was much less expected or known, was how the confirmed power figures would tally up. There were some suggestions that based on the Nürburgring lap time, as much as 500 hp would be on tap for the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. At the time, that still felt a bit farfetched for a number of reasons, the most notable of that being it would mean the new range-topping 718 would be infringing too deep into 911 GT-level territory. However, that prediction has essentially come good, with the GT4 RS producing 493 hp (500 PS)—the same as a 991.1 GT3 RS.

It revs to 9,000 rpm and makes a bit less torque—331 lb-ft vs 346 lb-ft in the 992 GT3—which Porsche says is the result of a more complicated exhaust design, but that’s not likely to matter in the grand scheme of things. After all, the platform known best for its extraordinary balance and superb handling dynamics, is still good from a blistering 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds in its new RS-guise. That’s plenty quick. As we correctly predicted, the GT4 RS comes exclusively with a 7-speed PDK transmission, which further highlights the car’s race-bred intentions and stays true to the (modern) ‘GTx RS’ mantra.

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According to Dr. Frank Walliser—Vice President of 911 and 718 Product Lines—the GT4 RS will tip the scales at 3,120 lbs, making it around 49 lbs lighter than a similarly-equipped 718 GT4 with PDK. Much of the weight savings are the result of a healthy carbon fiber diet, with the front fenders, bonnet, door panels and other fixings now made from the good stuff. It will also sit 30 millimeters lower than a regular Cayman and now comes standard with a ball joint suspension system, replacing the rubber bushings used in previous models. The dampers, springs and sway bars have also been revised for more hardcore applications. All of these will afford the RS superior handling precision and a heightened connection with the tarmac.

At a glance, the biggest differences between the GT4 RS and the other models are ones that are visually telling, with the swan-neck rear wing being the most eye catching of its features. The rest of the body gets the typical RS workout, with streamlined underbody panels, a more aggressive (and adjustable) front splitter, a larger rear diffuser, side blades and huge air intakes, all forming part of this new equation. These of course, are all completely functional changes as well, with the GT4 RS able to produce up to 25% more downforce than the GT4, while also improving engine and brake cooling.

The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is also responsible for a few important ‘firsts’ in the history of the Cayman. Besides being the platform’s inaugural RS representative, it’ll also be the first time the Weissach Package is offered for the model, following the trend made popular by the most recent GT3 RS and GT2 RS. The Weissach Package for the GT4 RS will use the same formula which incorporates exposed carbon fiber exterior panels, titanium exhaust tips, magnesium wheels and a roll cage (in jurisdictions where it’s legal to have one from the factory). Center-lock wheels are also a debutant feature on the Cayman, via the RS.

Compared to other trims, there isn’t a significant list of other notable options to pick from—notwithstanding front-axle lift, and a unique Porsche Design watch—because the RS already comes comprehensively equipped, as anyone buying a car with the badge should expect. I was also pretty bang on with my prediction in terms of pricing, with the base MSRP of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS sitting at $141,700 USD. Waiting lists are already looking long, relative to the number of allocations being given, so you should get your name in the hat now, if you’re interested in picking up Porsche’s latest—and arguably, their most impressive—RS model.

November 17, 2021 / Comments Off

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Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport R-GT Rally Car Confirmed

It Should Come in 2020

Porsche had a concept rally car based on the GT4 Clubsport racing car. At the time the company showed it off, it made it clear it was just a concept. Well, now Porsche will build a production 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport R-GT Rallye. It should be ready for the rally race track in 2020.

The company decided to actually make a rally car after the concept was well received at an ADAC rally race in Germany. Porsche said the response to the car was very positive. The concept was based on the old version of the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, but the production car will be based on the new 718 Gayman GT4 Clubsport that we previously covered.

That means the rally car will get a 3.8-liter flat-six engine making 425 hp. The car comes with a 6-speed PDK transmission, sending all of the naturally aspirated engine’s power to the rear wheels. The car gets several body panels with natural fiber materials to keep its overall weight down.

Porsche’s new rally car will compete in the FIA R-GT class. It’s a class designed for two-door cars based closely on street-legal sports cars. The cars also must have a power to weight ratio of 7.5-pounds per horsepower. That means the new Porsche rally car should compete with vehicles like the Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 997 GT3, and Fiat 124 Abarth in the World Rally Championship, according to The Supercar Blog.

Porsche says highlights of the racing class include the famous Monte Carlo Rally and the stages on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Even if Porsche wasn’t actually racing the car, I’d watch it drive along those iconic stretches of road. The fact that the car is competing and will likely be a force to be reckoned with is icing on the cake.

January 19, 2019 / Comments Off

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2019 Porsche 718 T Cayman & Boxster Revealed

Porsche Reveals 2019 718 Cayman T, 718 Boxster T

With the introduction of the 2019 718 Cayman T and Boxster T, it is clear that Porsche has taken a page out of the 911 playbook – and to great effect. The 911 T, which was released early in 2018, is a no-frills, purists version of the 911. In short, it is a spartan, stripped down version of the base-model Carrera, sparingly equipped with only the equipment necessary to create a completely driver-focused 911.

The warm reception of the aforementioned car has convinced Porsche that they should apply this philosophy to their 718 lineup as well, also proving that Porsche appreciates and listens to its customers. This is not just good for public relations, but it is also good for business – a touring version of the affordable 718, truly means that this is a Porsche sports car for the masses.

Features and Highlights

Engine and Performance

Both the Cayman T and Boxster T will be equipped with the base-model 718’s mid-mounted 2.0L flat-four turbocharged engine, which produces 300-horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

The 718 T will come standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and buyers will also have the option of outfitting the car with a PDK transmission. Respectively, the car will sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds in the manual and 4.5 seconds in the PDK version’s Sport Plus mode, while top speed is 170 mph.

Chassis and Handling

As a result if its inherent philosophy, an un-optioned 718 T will weigh in at 1,350 kg, making it the lightest version in the lineup. The chassis is also 20mm lower to the ground than the base-model it has stripped down, and sits on lightweight 20” high-gloss titanium grey wheels.

In continuing to stay true to its word, the 718 T is equipped strictly with features that enhance the driving experience through a purist’s field of view. The 6-speed manual version of either car will come standard with Porsche Torque Vectoring and a mechanical locking rear axle differential. For the first time, Porsche Active Suspension Management is available (and in this case, also standard) on a 718, with the latest Cayman and Boxster now able to benefit from this state-of-the-art the electronic damping system.

Interior and Exterior

Inside the cockpit is a seamless continuation of the no-frills principles of the “T”, with door pull straps replacing the door handles, a leather-wrapped 360-millimeter GT sports steering wheel and two-way adjustable sport seats. My only surprise here is that the seats aren’t cloth, as leather doesn’t seem to buy into the ideals of spartan-ism so much – oh well.

Furthermore, the Porsche Communication Management module isn’t standard and a storage bin takes its spot instead. Adding it back is actually a no charge option, should you feel the need to restore a sense of relative convenience in the car. Other features that come standard are agate grey mirror shells, a shorter-throw gearbox, and Sport Chrono package (with the dashboard-mounted stopwatch included).

The 718 T will be visually differentiated from its stable-mates with retro-style graphics on each side of the car. To truly stand out, in addition to the standard palette, buyers can also opt for special-edition Lava Orange and Miami Blue paint jobs which are exclusive to the 718 T.

Verdict

I believe that the Porsche 718 T is a car we can all get excited for – and by all, I really mean everyone. With official pricing expected to start in the $60,000 USD range, the scenario of owning a true sports car – a Porsche sports car – is very attainable. In an age where large SUVs and crossovers address the necessities of today’s society and lifestyles, the 718 T opens the door for the midlife crisis to happen sooner than originally thought.

Similar to the 911 T, the 718 T will not be the fastest, most luxurious or even the cheapest of all the 718 variants. However, the car is a unique combination of features and nuances that add up to more than the sum of its parts. The T-wins are the perfect car for somebody who knows exactly what they want, and wants nothing more than that – the purist’s car.

Kudos to Porsche for continuing to take the words of their customers and fans to heart.

2019 Porsche 718 T Cayman Image Gallery

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off

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Lightweight Porsche Cayman T Set for Production

Porsche experienced a huge amount of success with the Cayman R several years ago. Since then, a string of back-to-basics Porsche 911 models have been launched, each proving more popular than the last. AutoExpress has now managed to obtain confirmation that a new lightweight Porsche Cayman is in the works; the Porsche 718 Cayman T!

The British magazine has confirmed that the model will follow the ethos of the recently released Porsche 911 T. The T, in Porsche’s eyes, is a lightweight, stripped-back Porsche model, differing from the R and GT3 in the sense that it enters the market at a different price point. As many have pointed out, the T has its history in the 1987 Porsche 911T which was essentially a budget 911.

For the Cayman, we are told that it will sit between the Cayman S and GTS, fitted with Porsche’s 2.5 litre flat-four engine and developing around 360 bhp. A world away from the 1987 car’s measly 110 bhp.

Porsche will offer some weight saving measures, including thinner glass, fabric door pulls and sports seats which should remove around 20 kg from the Cayman’s kerbweight. It should also come fitted with a sports exhaust and a sport chrono package together with 20 inch wheels.

The Cayman T will be part of the 718 Cayman’s final production year as Porsche gear up for the 2020 launch of its replacement. In recent days the Cayman T was spotted testing on roads neart the Nürburgring. Those images show that the T shares its front facia with the GTS, gets a lower ride height and a new set of exhaust pipes.

We are still expecting Porsche to release a hardcore, performance version of the 718 Cayman. The GT4 is also expected to debut next year and will likely prove to be the final Porsche Cayman before the new generation.

October 26, 2018 / Comments Off

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Porsche Cayman GT4

Introduction

In 2015, Porsche announced the car we all thought Porsche would never build. It has been a few years since it has been released and the excitement It was the first time Porsche introduced lets the motorsports guys in Weissach sprinkle their magic on a Cayman. They did not let us down. They took components of the 911 GT3, stole the engine from a Carrera S and tuned engine, chassis, brakes and aerodynamics to give us the perfect car.

The 3.8-litre flat-six engine with 385 hp (283 kW) is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with dynamic gearbox mounts. The chassis was lowered by 30 mm and bigger brakes were added. The suspension is basically the same at the 911 GT3. This is some serious motorsport kit.

Design, Styling & Interior

Based on the 981 Cayman the GT4 takes the already nice design and adds aggression. We love the large, vented front bumper which makes the GT4 look like a more serious weapon and also improves cooling for the additional radiator. Add lower ride height, a lower front lip as well as a fixed rear wing for providing downforce and it is clear that this is no normal Cayman.

On its exterior, the Cayman GT4 is clearly differentiated from related mid-engine coupes. Three distinctive inlet openings at the front and a large fixed rear wing are part of an aerodynamic package which is systematically designed for downforce. Upon request, the Cayman GT4 can be equipped even more comprehensively for sporty use. Options include the PCCB ceramic brake system, full shell seats made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), a custom Sport Chrono Package with the unique Track Precision app and a Club Sport Package.

The interior of the Cayman GT4 is designed so that the driver and front passenger can experience unfiltered driving enjoyment. They sit on sport seats, upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara, which are distinguished by very good lateral support. The new GT4 sport steering wheel guarantees ideal control and direct steering feedback due to its compact dimensions.

Performance

While this car doesn’t seem fast on paper, a lap time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds on the North Loop of the Nürburgring clearly shows that Porsche is serious about performance. With a 3.8-litre engine rather than the Cayman GTS’s 3.4 litres, and a few kilos shed from its kerb weight, the GT4 is predictably a shade faster than the previous quickest Cayman.

The benchmark 0-62mph sprint now passes in 4.2 seconds, rather than the 4.9sec of the GTS, while its top speed has risen by 6mph to 183mph. More important than the quantity of the GT4’s performance is its quality – with extra engine capacity the Cayman now pulls its long gearing more convincingly than ever. In isolation this 3.8-litre flat-six sounds exciting and seems to have a top end full of fireworks, but when compared to a 911 GT3 or RS power unit it does fall short for drama.

The serrated, hard-edged bark that those cars emit with a fully open throttle is worthy of a competition car, while both rev out to their redlines with such ferocity that you wonder if they’re about to explode. The GT4’s engine is never as exciting as that, but you’d be hard-pressed to criticize it if you hadn’t experienced a GT3 or RS at full lick.

Ride & Handling

Coming Soon

Prices & Specs

Coming Soon

Porsche Cayman GT4 Performance & Specs >
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March 28, 2018 / Comments Off

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