Monday 11 November 2019

2019 Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 RS: Is This It?

2019 Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 RS: Is This It?





As we continue to wait for the long-rumored 718 GT4 RS, our resident artist takes a crack at what it might look like! For the last year plus, rumors have circulated that there鈥檚 a proper Cayman GT4 successor on the way. Even better, those rumors all indicate that such a car would mark the return to flat-six power for the 718, as well as a manual transmission option. But as much as we鈥檇 love to see another Cayman GT4, you know what would be better? A 718 GT4 RS, that鈥檚 what. And ever since Australian site Car Advice spied a (since deleted) Instagram post confirming the existence of such a model, we鈥檝e wondered what it might look like. So, we did the reasonable thing and commissioned our resident artist to put ink to paper. The results speak for themselves, and we feel like he nailed it on the head. This 718 GT4 RS features all the proper styling elements you鈥檇 expect to see on a track-focused Porsche model.





Not to mention a family resemblance to its big brother, the GT3 RS, which, of course, means massive front air ducts, a giant rear wing, special wheels, and an attractive two-tone paint job. According to the rumors, the 718 GT4 RS would in fact be powered by a GT3 RS-derived 4.0-liter flat-six, which, obviously, would need to be detuned a bit so as not to show up its big brother. But those rumors also suggested that we might see this exciting new model at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, alongside a new GT3 RS. Of course, only the latest track-focused 911 showed up. So, for now, we鈥檒l continue to wait (impatiently) and hope that Porsche will do the right thing. Obviously, the last Cayman GT4 was a huge hit, and you鈥檇 have to believe that a new RS version would be a smashing success, too 鈥?as long as it looks like this beauty, that is!





An adjustable rear wing generates 50 percent more downforce than the previous generation on the 718 Cayman GT4. Both vehicles have the same front suspension and brakes as Porsche鈥檚 911 GT3. Track fans will love that they can manually adjust the ride height and even the sway bar settings on the GT4. The ride height is also 1.2 inches lower than the previous generation, and its 20-inch wheels feature wider tires. The car weighs 3,300 pounds and only comes in Sport mode (no other driving modes are featured). It鈥檚 also the first flat-six engine to have cylinder deactivation, but drivers can stop this by simply deactivating the engine鈥檚 stop-start function. Buyers of this car located in the United States will get pull straps instead of door handles on the inside. The interior is entirely black with some accent stitching and faux suede accents. However, you can opt for full leather with stitching in your choice of red, yellow, or silver. The top speed differs in these cars鈥攂ut not by much. Top speed for the Cayman is 188 mph and top speed for the Spyder comes in at 187 mph. Instead of an adjustable spoiler, the Spyder features a subtle ducktail spoiler. The cars are the same weight, despite the fact that the Spyder has a soft-top roof, which is manual and unclips and folds into the rear deck, which is purportedly easier to manage than the Boxster Spyder鈥檚 top. However, no one will mistake the 718 Spyder for your average Boxster. The new Porsche鈥檚 flat-six engine purr is unmistakable. The interior is black and red leather to match the fabric top, and you can choose your interior trim accents in the body color of the car or in aluminum. 97,500. Although since Porsche is bringing this flat-six back, we鈥檙e expecting buyers won鈥檛 balk at the price.





In 2015, Porsche announced the car the supercar community thought they would never build. It was the first time Porsche allowed its Porsche Motorsport division in Weissach to sprinkle some magic on a production Cayman since the mid-engine sports car鈥檚 introduction ten years previously. They did not let us down. Compared with the standard Cayman, the GT4鈥檚 chassis was lowered by 30mm and bigger brakes were added, with many aspects of its suspension carried over from the 911 GT3. Make no mistake; this is some serious motorsport kit. Based on the 981 Cayman, the GT4 takes the standard car鈥檚 already purposeful stance and design and adds aggression. The large, vented front bumper, which makes the GT4 look like a more serious track weapon is not just for show - it improves cooling for an additional radiator. A lower ride height, lower front lip and a fixed rear wing are all clues to onlookers that this is no normal Cayman. Larger side intakes than the standard Cayman also add to the GT4鈥檚 sporting proportions, required to feed more air into the 3.8 litre power plant behind the driver. Inside the Cayman GT4, the sporty theme continues, with sport seats for driver and passenger upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara, with bolsters to support both under hard cornering. In front of the driver sits a compact steering wheel, which Porsche says enhances the feedback to the driver, as well as providing more precision.





Porsche has added a new member to its GT family - the new Cayman GT4. This is the first time Porsche has introduced a GT sports car based on the Cayman which shares many of its components with the 911 GT3. GT sports cars from Porsche embody the most passionate connection possible between everyday driving and the race track and the sport core of the brand: Intelligent Performance. A lap time of 7 minutes and 40 seconds on the North Loop of the Nurburgring positions the Cayman GT4 as the new benchmark at the top of its market segment. It also makes a clear statement that Porsche will continue producing exciting two-door sports cars in the future. The engine, chassis, brakes and aerodynamic design of the Cayman GT4 are configured for maximum driving dynamics; yet the top model still retains the versatility and everyday usability that is typical of the two-seat Porsche coupe. The Cayman GT4 is powered by a 3.8 litre flat six engine with 283 kW (385 hp), derived from the 911 Carrera S. Power is transmitted by a six-speed manual gearbox only, incorporating dynamic gearbox mounts.