Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 And 718 Boxster Spyder
Update: A previous version of this post indicated that the Cayman GT4/718 Spyder would offer a Clubsport package. However, this package will not be available in the U.S. The post has been updated accordingly. U.S. market pricing has also been added. Naturally aspirated. Six cylinders. Porsche鈥檚 GT boss, Andreas Preuninger, need not say more. We鈥檙e near Weissach, Porsche鈥檚 technical base, and getting a sneak peek at the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Boxster Spyder. Yes, these are the official cars. Cease all internet-fueled rumors and speculations. Powering these sports cars is not a variant of the 911 GT3鈥檚 high-revving 4.0-liter flat-six, the engine many expected Porsche to squeeze into its mid-engine models, but a new six-cylinder engine from the German brand. Loosely based on the 9A2 flat-six from the 911 Carrera range, and built on the same production line, the engine that powers the high-performance 718 twins features kit such as cylinder deactivation and piezo fuel injectors. Redline is a sky-high 8,000 rpm, while the engine鈥檚 approximately 414 horsepower peak at a heady 7,600rpm and its 310 pound-feet of torque is available between 5,000-6,800 rpm.
Those figures allow both the GT4 and Spyder to reach 62 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds and hit top speeds of 188 mph and 187 mph, respectively. Both models retain manual transmissions, although the gearboxes are saddled with lengthy gear ratios that allow the duo to pass various emissions regulations. Meanwhile, weight rises to more than 3100 pounds; an almost 200-pound gain over the previous models. Most of the extra fat is attributable to pesky things such as a pair of exhaust particulate filters, as well as the implementation of an automatic stop/start system, which requires the addition of a bigger starter and battery. Still, Preuninger reveals that the actual weight difference between these new cars and their predecessors is only about 66 pounds and that the aforementioned, three-figure difference is merely the result of changes to homologation standards and reporting. Whatever the number truly is, we believe Preuninger when he tells us drivers won鈥檛 notice the cars鈥?additional mass from behind the wheel.
Preuninger says the GT4, in particular, is at least 10 seconds a lap quicker around the Nurburgring relative to its forebear. Helping the model achieve this feat are major aerodynamic advancements, including a large underbody diffuser that makes 50 percent more downforce than the last GT4鈥檚. Wheels and tires carryover and the car's lightweight 20-inch alloys wear the latest Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires measuring 245/35 up front and 295/30 at the rear. Additional performance enhancements include Porsche's latest torque vectoring setup, a mechanical limited-slip differential, new dampers, and more. The suspension includes active dampers and the ride heights for the GT4 and Spyder are some 30 millimeters lower than any other 718 model. The cars also pinch elements from the GT3 parts bin. Specifically, the top mounts鈥?solid, ball-mounted joints. Porsche鈥檚 GT department stuck with conventional suspension bushings elsewhere in order to maintain a good (i.e. smooth) on-road driving experience. Nevertheless, these are track-oriented vehicles first, and track rats will welcome the cars鈥?adjustable toe, camber, and roll bar rates. Most buyers will probably avoid breaking out the tool kit, though, and will instead simply press the Sport button to stiffen up the adaptive dampers. Additional dynamic tech includes an automatic rev-matching feature and access to the Porsche Track Precision App, which lets drivers geek out on lap times and the like. Options include lighter and more fade resistant carbon-ceramic brakes, lighter bucket seats, and plenty of individual trim options. 1,250 destination charge). No, they aren't cheap. But given their six-cylinder engines and notable performance capabilities, the latest Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder strike us as relative bargains.
The name's Valhalla, Aston Martin Valhalla. Fittingly, given the high body count in most Bond movies, the Valhalla takes its name from the Viking legend of the 'warriors' paradise' reserved for the souls of brave fighters slain in battle. It also continues the Aston Martin tradition going back seven decades of naming its most powerful cars starting with the letter 'V'. It is set to replace the Aston Martin DB10 used in the last Bond flick, Spectre. While that vehicle was a fictional model created especially for the on-screen special agent, the Valhalla can driven by Joe Bloggs as well as Bond - granted they can afford the seven-figure asking price. Aston Martin @astonmartin DB5, Aston Martin V8 and Aston Martin Valhalla will star in Bond 25, the latest instalment in the @007 franchise. The second model to feature in the upcoming 007 flick is the 1987 V8 Vantage, which was used in The Living Daylights with Timothy Dalton as the Secret Service agent. Until now it has had the code-name AM-RB 003, similar to the AM-RB 001 given to the Valkyrie.
The new Aston Martin Valhalla mid-engined hypercar has been developed in collaboration with F1 race-oriented Red Bull Advanced Technologies, from which the earlier AM-RB initials derived. Just 500 examples of the powerful but lightweight and aerodynamic all-carbon fibre coupes will be built for sale worldwide as a rival to to Britain' McLaren Senna from Woking and Italy's La Ferrari. The Valhallas will be powered by a new specially-developed turbocharged V6 petrol engine, believed to be 3.0-litre unit, linked to a battery-electric hybrid system. The highly efficient high output combination is expected to develop 1,000bhp - equivalent to 10 Ford Fiestas - and enough to propel the hypercar from rest to 60mph in under three seconds. It will be the first car to receive Aston Martin's new hybrid turbo V6 engine which marks the firm's return to in-house designed engines. The new Valhalla follows the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro as the third hypercar in Aston Martin's mid-engined line-up, to be followed by the new Vanquish.