Porsche 718 Cayman & Boxster Range (Seven Eighteen)
The 718 family welcomes new members: with the new 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4, Porsche introduces two particularly emotional and powerful top models to claim top spot in the model series. Their pure character will appeal to sports car enthusiasts who delight in unadulterated driving pleasure and appreciate a high level of agility and an almost intimate proximity to the centre of power. The perfectly balanced mid-engine concept offers all this. For the first time ever, the Porsche 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 share a technical base. This includes the newly developed four-litre six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, together with a six-speed manual transmission. The boxer engine generates 309 kW (420 PS) in both models. Whilst the GT4 represents the entry-level GT road model from Porsche, the Spyder lends itself to all kinds of curves. Both rely on highly efficient aerodynamics, a full GT chassis and powerful brakes.
At the heart of both models is the new four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine. The naturally aspirated engine is based on the same engine family as the turbo engines in the current 911 Carrera model series. The new high-revving engine generates 309 kW (420 PS) - 35 PS more than in the GT4 predecessor models. The third generation of the Spyder even has 45 PS more. It delivers a maximum torque of 420 newton metres at between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm. The manual transmission sports cars can both break the 300 km/h barrier: the Porsche 718 Spyder has a top speed of 301 km/h, whilst the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 can reach 304 km/h. Both models accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds from a standing start. The correlated fuel consumption of the mid-engine sports cars is 10.9 l/100 km according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The fascinating character of this naturally aspirated engine combines a modern gasoline particulate filter emission control system with the linear power delivery and the immediate response of a GT engine. It has a maximum engine speed of 8,000 revolutions. The unparalleled boxer sound remains untouched. New additions include technical highlights such as adaptive cylinder control. In part-load operation, it temporarily interrupts the injection process in one of the two cylinder banks, thus reducing fuel consumption.
The road-going Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, according to a rumor from Car in the U.K. Like the track-spec Clubsport version, it'll allegedly use a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six making 420 horsepower (313 kilowatts). Car claims the Cayman GT4 would initially be available only with a six-speed manual. Spy shots (above) already give a very good idea of what the 718 Cayman GT4 looks like. Compared to the already aggressive GTS, the GT4 has even larger intakes in its front fascia, presumably for routing more cool air to the radiators and brakes. A fixed wing adorns the rear deck. The dual exhausts are wider apart than on the GTS, and there's a prominent diffuser back there, too. The Clubsport racer uses natural-fiber composite for the doors and wings, but it's not yet clear whether this lightweight material is on the road car, too. If you'd prefer this performance but with the added ability to feel the wind in your hair, Porsche also has the 718 Boxster Spyder under development. It should share all of the mechanical elements with the 718 Cayman GT4 but has a bikini-style top with straps that attach to the revised rear deck. There are no details yet about when the range-topping convertible might arrive, but in some cases Porsche unveils variants of the Boxster and Cayman together - like with the GTS versions. We can't rule out the Spyder dropping its top at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, too.
I promised my readers an article about Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati earlier this week and here it is! For some odd reason, research for some cars is much easier than for others. It's not because the ones not so written about aren't appealing - I know not why it's much more difficult to find a performance review for the Maserati GranTrismo. Yet, when searching the internet for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT, article after article seemed to be thrown at me. 110,000 range. The F-type is supplied by a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that encourages 340 hp, while the S models get a boost to 380 hp. The rear wheel drive has a six-speed manual and the new all-wheel-drive model has an eight-speed automatic. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is the result of a 10 year-long line of serious road consuming automobiles. 117,225 for the roadster. A six-speed manual and a seven-speed single-clutch SportShift II automated manual are the transmissions available to Aston's lovely drivers. The GranTurismo Maserati was a little more difficult to peal the skin of, and although I'd call it my favorite choice of the three, it's a rather well-hidden treat. 132,825-182,009. You can literally spend as much on it as the highest end pricing of its competition to nearly twice the lowest end of the competition's pricing. This car is equipped with a 454-hp 4.7-liter V-8 making you think you fit in nicely with the Jaguar and the Aston Martin, yet, you can also run along class with the Gallardo and its well-known cousin Ferrari. Neither the Jaguar nor the Aston fit into this prestigious category. All in all, if you want to fit in to the world of auto drivers without being checked out by every single bling-seeking maniac, the Jaguar will keep you feeling the most conservative. Although the two share so much in common, including chassis and engine, Aston has finally taken itself a little higher and supplied it's very own likes.