2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport
Up front, it鈥檚 the bumper that sets the coupe apart. Instead of the narrow vents with horizontal slats, the Clubsport models sports larger outlets onto the sides and a wider trapezoidal opening in the center. It also features a big splitter below. Porsche also uses different headlamps on this model, while the front hood has quick-release pins. There鈥檚 also a race-spec tow loop on the front bumper. Onto the sides, the Clubsport looks identical to its road-going sibling. Porsche revised the vents on the rear fenders, most likely to improve airflow, and added motorsport-spec wheels, but other than that, the Clubsport is pretty much a standard Cayman. Porsche made a few notable changes around back, starting with the diffuser. The aerodynamic element was redesigned entirely. Not only bigger, it鈥檚 also split into two distinct elements, each incorporating a large, round exhaust pipe. The engine lid now features a spoiler, as well as a big wing on top.
Specifically, the doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fiber mix sourced primarily agricultural by-products such as flax or hemp fibers and feature similar properties to carbon-fiber in terms of weight and stiffness. The rest of the body is made from aluminum-steel composite, a common material for Porsche vehicles. The dashboard is identical, but Porsche opted for a carbon-fiber lower section. It also replaced the infotainment screen in the center stack with a motorsport-specific console that includes various buttons and switches. The standard instrument cluster was also replaced with a new screen with simpler operation and graphics. The shifts are displayed in the center, while other performance numbers are shown on each side. The standard steering wheel is also gone, replaced by a motorsport-style wheel with a flat bottom. Other race-specific upgrades include a welded-in safety cage and a racing bucket seat with a six-point harness. These features are offered in both variants of the Clubsport, but each of them sports additional extra. The Trackday model for instance also features an air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, and a fire extinguisher.
This is where the GT4 Clubsport really stands out compared to the road-legal Cayman. While the standard model is available with two flat-four engines, the Clubsport hides a flat-six under the hood. Similarities with the old Clubsport continue in the transmission department. The new race car also features a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, as well as a mechanical locking differential to the rear. On the other hand, the new GT4 Clubsport is a bit heavier than its predecessor. Tipping the scales at 2,910 pounds, it carries an extra 44 pounds. These specifications are identical for both the Trackday and Competition trims, but the two cars have different features in the suspension department. The GT4 Clubsport is ready to tackle any race track out there thanks to a lightweight strut suspension taken from the 911 GT3 Cup. It鈥檚 height, camber, and track adjustable at all corners and includes optimized stiffness, double shear mounting, and high-performance spherical bearings. You can also deactivate the ABS, ESC, and traction control systems in the Trackday model.
Both models are equipped with race-spec, steel brake discs measuring 15 inches front and rear. The Competition version also comes with a brake balance system that adjusts the bias infinitely between the front and rear axle. The integrated air-jack system enables fast pit stops. Pricing for the Cayman GT4 Clubsport starts from 鈧?34,000 plus country-specific VAT. Expect to pay around 鈧?60,000 in almost every European country. For this amount, you鈥檒l take home the Trackday version. Opt for the Competition variant and pricing starts from 鈧?57,000 plus VAT. That鈥檚 around 鈧?90,000 including VAT. Needless to say, the GT4 Clubsport isn鈥檛 cheap, but it鈥檚 significantly more affordable than other race-spec sports cars. The GT4 Clubsport is raced since 2016 in a wide variety of FIA-organized events and the new-generation model will continue in the same competitions. Expect to see it the GT4 European Series, British GT Championship, Pirelli World Challenge, and the Blancpain GT Series. Privateers that will buy the Clubsport will face a healthy lineup of GT4-spec cars. Most of them are raced in the British GT Championship as well, but this series also includes the Jaguar F-Type SVR GT4, Ginetta G55 GT4, and Toyota GT86 GT4. Moving over to the Pirelli World Challenge, the GT4 Clubsport will also go against the Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, Ford Mustang GT4, and the Panoz Avezzano GT4.