New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Gets Official Unveiling
Three years ago when I first drove a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport it put a smile on my face. Now We have a new reason for celebration. Porsche has unveiled a new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport as the ultimate track machine. In a press release last night, we鈥檝e learned it will arrive with a 3.8L flat six making 425 horsepower. Not only does it borrow a de-tuned engine from the 911 GT3, the front suspension and the quick-release steering wheel are also found in the 911 GT3 R race car. Another wild development is in the light body panels. Parts like the rear spoiler and the doors are made from natural sources. Hemp infused with flax has the same characteristics as carbon fiber and Porsche chose them because they are byproducts that would normally be disposed of. This allows it to weigh only 2,910 lbs, complete with a roll cage and Air Conditioning.
Buyers can choose from 2 versions. The 鈥淭rackday鈥?is for entry-level drivers. The suspension is not adjustable and it has a 21 gallon fuel cell. 鈥淐ompetition鈥?cars have 3-way adjustable shocks and a brake bias valve on the dash. It also sports a 30 gallon fuel cell and air jacks at all corners. Also built in is a Halon fire suppression system with automatic activation. The only transmission is a 6-speed PDK which can easily handle the 313 lb-ft of torque. A mechanical locking rear differential is optimized for the car鈥檚 weight and power, and the entire car has been FIA certified. The 12.5 compression ratio needs a minimum of 98 octane to prevent knock, so we hope it is able to meet US emissions laws. If you want to reserve yours please click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news.
Interestingly, there鈥檚 also a neat feature that if you stall, all you have to do is depress the clutch to get going again 鈥?there鈥檚 no need to turn the key. No one can dispute the engines鈥?better performance, but people seem to be divided on how the new 718s sound. Don鈥檛 worry about how it sounds, the 718s still sound like legit sports cars. The Sport Chromo option also brings with it the sport response button, which when activated, engages the optimal gear and for 20 seconds maximizes boost so a driver can make a quick pass. It鈥檚 kind of superfluous, but it鈥檚 mighty fun to use. As if it was even possible because the last Cayman was so good, the 718s have even better driving dynamics than before. For me, it starts with the steering, which is quicker and more precise than before. The 718s use the same steering rack in the 911 Turbo, and the result is a perfectly weighted setup that gives generous feedback from the road and tires. The ratio is quicker so there鈥檚 very little hand-over-hand action needed, and the car generally feels more agile, even when parking.
The weight reduction helps matters as well. The intuitive steering is complemented by the coupe鈥檚 balance, which is the type of feeling that only a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car can inspire. Go too fast into a corner, and the 718s make you feel like a better driver than you actually are. The coupe has huge levels of grip and always seems to be an enabler to increasingly brave driving, always edging you closer to your limit. Luckily, drivers no longer need to have Red Bull stunt person-level bravery because tweaks have been made to the Cayman to make it more accessible and less scary. Drivers are typically much too timid (or not skilled enough) to turn off the traction control entirely, so Porsche made some tweaks to the stability management program that leaves a bigger gap between on and fully off. There鈥檚 now a nice middle ground that increases agility by decreasing traction so you can slide into a corner confidently without being too scared that you鈥檒l end up stuffing the coupe into a guardrail.