2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Spied Nearly Naked
Perhaps the best thing about this latest round of spy shots for the refreshed Porsche Cayman GT4 is what we can鈥檛 see. In truth, we see pretty much everything, and as you鈥檇 come to expect from Porsche the changes are minimal. We spy slightly redesigned side air scoops, and the lower fascia is a touch more aggressive than the previous GT4. The rear fascia is definitely more aggressive with a tweaked diffuser and relocated exhaust outlets. The taillights are also different, and the wing seems even larger than before. There is one tiny bit of camouflage still left on the car, however, and it鈥檚 freaking hilarious. Take a close look up front and you鈥檒l see the smallest bit of black wrap that coincidently is in the exact spot one would find a Porsche crest. Clearly someone back at Stuttgart has seen a bit too much Superman because this Clark Kent attempt at disguising the car - especially when it still says Porsche on the back - is just plain funny. Amusing as it is, that鈥檚 not what we鈥檙e talking about with the bits we can鈥檛 see. Lurking beneath that rear cover is what should make this refreshed GT4 a bona fide superhero. Our sources still tell us the car will brandish a detuned version of the 4.0-liter flat-six from the 911 GT3. Those same sources have already confirmed the car will offer either a PDK gearbox or a manual transmission, and with at least 400 horsepower expected, the GT4 should be all kinds of giddy fun. As the striptease seems all but complete (save for that stubborn tape up front), it won鈥檛 be long before we get all the official information. We鈥檝e heard the Clubsport version will debut first in early 2019, so the road version should follow shortly thereafter.
The latest version of the new Audi A4 Avant has been caught on camera during its winter testing regime. Due for release in 2019, it will likely follow Audi鈥檚 revised A4 saloon into the showrooms. BMW and Mercedes have both recently released new versions of their 3-Series and C-Class models. To keep pace with its competitors, Audi鈥檚 revisions to the A4 are extensive with the company spending 拢500 million on development. Audi鈥檚 design refresh will bring the new A4 into line with the rest of the company鈥檚 range. This mule sports Audi鈥檚 new 鈥渇ace,鈥?as seen on the latest A6 and A8, with a slightly smaller front grille and new headlights. An updated rear bumper with squared-off exhaust outlets, new tail-lights and a fresh rear spoiler also feature. It鈥檚 difficult to be certain at this stage, due to this mule鈥檚 heavy camouflage, but we expect larger panels, such as the roof, wings and bonnet will also be axed in favour of updated replacements. The new A4 Avant鈥檚 cabin is likely to change, too. Like the saloon, the Avant will receive a new pair of infotainment screens, with a choice of either an 8.8- or 10.1-inch central unit accompanying a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster in the range-topping models. Audi鈥檚 engineers are also planning revisions to the new A4鈥檚 suspension and running gear, but these mechanical updates are yet to be confirmed. We do know that the brand aims to sell electrified variants of all its models by 2025, however, so expect mild-hybrid versions of the new A4 Avant to feature in the line-up.
With the Porsche 911 becoming less friendly to the scales, there's more room for the lighter mid-engined offerings in Zuffenhausen's sportscar lineup. And it looks like the German automaker is preparing to make full use of that showroom space, as the 718 Cayman and Boxster have been spied testing with flat-six hearts. And no, we're not talking about the imminent 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Boxster Spyder. While the GT4 and the Spyder have been spied in production trim, with their debut expected to take place this Spring, the mid-engined machines we're talking about are rumored to be something else. Unlike the uber-specials mentioned above, these prototypes don't feature custom bodywork, borrowing the front fascia of the standard models' Sport Design Package, which, by the way, comes standard on the GTS. We've shown you a spyshot gallery portraying these six-cylinder toys (our shooters have confirmed the soundtrack) earlier this month. And we are now back on the topic to introduce a fresh batch of spyshots portraying the 718 Boxster tests car in isolation. A fifth derivative slotted in between the GTS and the GT4/Spyder would make sense for multiple reasons. For one thing, 718 sales dropped last year, even though 2018 saw overall Porsche sales going up. And it's no secret that the turbocharged four-cylinder engines are not exactly a hit.
Porsche distributor Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has just introduced the Porsche 718 Cayman SportDesign Series. The special model, priced at RM625,000, is based on the entry-level 718 Cayman, and it鈥檚 limited to just 15 units in Malaysia. To start, the Cayman SportDesign gets a number of visual and mechanical tweaks, but let鈥檚 start with the exterior. Outside, it gets the SportDesign Package which includes carbon-fibre stripes, a more aggressive-looking front apron and front lip, contrasty black door handles and centrally-mounted exhaust pipes in black finish. This combination, SDAP claims, makes it look like the 718 Cayman GTS. Standard features include Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (LED lights) and 20-inch dual-tone five-spoke alloys. This can be upgraded to the Carrera S or Carrera Sport Wheel design as well, should you fancy. Inside, the carbon-fibre theme continues - the dash, door panel and centre tunnel get high-gloss CF trimmings, and the centre armrest is wrapped in suede Alcantara material.
Black leather sports seats with 14-way powered adjustments are standard, complete with comfort memory foam. Also thrown in is a 505 watt, 10-speaker Bose Surround Sound System, as well as Sport Chrono Package. The latter offers a sportier chassis tuning, as well as a drive mode dial on the steering wheel, offering immediate access to four drive modes, which are Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual. A Sport Response button, which rests in the middle of the dial, primes the engine and transmission for the fastest possible performance, although this is limited to a window of 20 seconds. Speaking of performance, the 718 Cayman SportDesign is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged flat-four engine, producing 300 hp and 380 Nm of torque from 1,950 rpm to 4,500 rpm. A seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is tasked to send drive to the rear wheels, enabling it to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and onwards to 275 km/h. Porsche Active Suspension Management is fitted as standard, which lowers the car by 10 mm. To recap, only 15 units of the 718 Cayman SportDesign Series will be made, and it鈥檚 available in three colours - Racing Yellow, Guards Red and Carrara White Metallic (five units of each). Each car comes with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package, and the RM625k price tag includes all applicable duties, except registration fee, road tax and insurance.