Porsche Unveils The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport
STUTTGART: Three years after the premiere of the first Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Porsche now unveils its successor: The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents a consequent further development of the successful model from Weissach. For the first time, the near-standard mid-engine racer comes in two versions ex-works: the 鈥淭rackday鈥?model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and the 鈥淐ompetition鈥?variant for national and international motor racing. In developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the focus was put not only on further improved driveability and faster lap times but also on the sustainable use of raw materials. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first ever production race car to feature body parts made of natural-fibre composite material. Powering the 718 GT4 Clubsport is a 3.8-litre flat-six engine producing 425hp. Compared to its predecessor, this represents a 40hp increase in performance. The power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Porsche dual-clutch gearbox with six gears and mechanical rear axle differential lock.
The lightweight spring-strut front suspension is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother. The impressive racing brake system features steel brake discs all round measuring 380mm in diameter. Tipping the scales at 1,320kg, the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, delivered ex-works with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness, is a real lightweight. The basis 鈥淭rackday鈥?version is aimed at amateur drivers who want to take part in private track and clubsport events without major effort and outlay. The vehicle features a fixed shock absorber setup. The ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems ensure forgiving handling at the limit and can be deactivated. Also delivered ex-works is the air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, a handheld fire-extinguisher and an 80-litre FT3 safety fuel cell. The non-road-homologated vehicle can be serviced at all Porsche Centres. The 鈥淐ompetition鈥?model features a raft of details relevant for racing. The shock absorbers can be adjusted in three stages. The safety fuel tank with a capacity of 115 litres is suitable for long-distance events. Thanks to a brake balance system, the balance bias can be infinitely adjusted between the front and rear axle. An integrated air jack system guarantees fast pit stops. The quick-release racing steering wheel adopted from the 911 GT3 R ensures a range of adjustment options for the individual needs of the drivers. An automatic fire extinguishing system adds another safety feature for the racetrack. 鈥淭he new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,鈥?said Porsche鈥檚 head of motorsport Fritz Enzinger. 鈥淭he power of the engine has increased considerably. At the same time, we were able to increase the downforce and the cockpit is now even better suited to drivers鈥?needs.
The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman's joyful driving demeanor, powerful flat-four engines, and stunning styling make it one of our favorite sports cars鈥攁s evidenced by its regular appearance on one of our 10Best Cars. Sharing all but its hard top with the convertible 718 Boxster, the Cayman is a focused performance machine; and, as the entry-level Porsche sports car, its seriousness sets the stage for the rest of the lineup. It's not perfect, but our complaints about the downmarket interior and expensive options that are standard on rival sports cars are forgotten by the time we've rounded the first corner at speed. Yes, the Cayman is that good. What's New for 2019? Two minor alterations are all that's in store for the 2019 Cayman. A sport-exhaust system is now standard and Porsche has added its Car Connect service to the list of features. Porsche Car Connect allows remote services, vehicle-status updates, and vehicle tracking from a connected smartphone app.
A higher-performance Cayman GT4 goes on sale for 2020 and will feature a flat-six engine from the Porsche 911 detuned slightly to a still-potent 414 horsepower. Likes: Ballistic acceleration, lively handling, strong braking. Dislikes: Grating engine sound. Three engines are available: a 300-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four in the base Cayman, a 350-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four in the Cayman S, and a 365-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four in the Cayman GTS. All three engines are capable and very quick. However, we're partial to the more powerful Cayman S and GTS models, which suffer from less turbo lag in normal driving courtesy of its extra displacement and variable-geometry turbocharger. Regardless of engine, every Cayman comes standard with a slick six-speed manual transmission that ought to be the model by which every other manual transmission is judged. A quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles is an option. A Cayman S with the automatic managed a lightning-quick 3.9-second zero-to-60-mph time in our testing. The Cayman's willful chassis and telepathic steering transcend perfection.
Credit the Cayman's mid-engine layout and sticky summer tires, which work together to provide the sports coupe with stunning balance and stability on twisty two-lane roads. But it's more than the layout or the tires alone; it's the fine-tuning magic that Porsche's engineers conjure during the development process. The Cayman is a sublime mix of heady handling and a relatively relaxed ride. Regardless of engine choice, the Cayman is 1 to 2 mpg more fuel efficient when equipped with the optional seven-speed automatic transmission. In our real-world highway fuel-economy testing, the base Cayman and Cayman S both delivered a thrifty 32 mpg. Likes: Driver-focused cockpit, comfortable and supportive seats, user-friendly infotainment system. Dislikes: High-end features aren't standard, noisy when cruising, several cheap-plastic pieces. Easy-to-understand gauges, comfortable seats, and well-placed controls give the Cayman's cabin a form-fitting feeling, not unlike a superhero's suit. Still, a plethora of hard buttons and a number of cheap-plastic pieces prevent the interior from standing out in this class.