The Dude Abides: New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Gets More Horsepower (and Hemp)
Porsche鈥檚 mid-engined racer, the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, has been given a sequel, the automaker announced today. The new racer comes in two flavors, either a 鈥淭rackday鈥?variant aimed at the amateur racer or a 鈥淐ompetition鈥?model. First we鈥檒l cover major features that both models have in common. Porsche transplanted the MacPherson strut front suspension from the GT3 Cup into the GT4 CS. The rear suspension is also of the MacPherson strut type, though likely heavily modified as on the previous GT4 CS. The Trackday model is relatively bare, with fixed rate shock absorbers, air-conditioning, rescue roof hatch, handheld fire extinguisher, and an 80-liter fuel cell. The Competition model adds three-stage adjustable shocks, 115-liter fuel cell, brake balance system, integrated air-jack system, GT3 R quick-release steering wheel, and an automatic fire extinguisher system. Amidst all these impressive specs is a little nugget: Porsche, in a quest for the sustainable use of raw materials, has made the doors and the rear spoiler out of natural, organic fiber composites 鈥?ingredients include flax and hemp.
According to Porsche, the natural fiber composite has similar weight and strength properties to carbon fiber. We applaud Porsche鈥檚 forward thinking regarding sustainable materials in its race cars. Porsche says the Trackday model is priced at 134,000 Euro, not including region-specific value-added taxes (VAT). The Competition model starts at 157,000 Euro. 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 313 kW (425 hp). Compared to its predecessor, this represents a 40-hp 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 380 millimetres in diameter. Tipping the scales at 1,320 kilograms, 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 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 鈥淭rackday鈥?costs 134,000 Euro plus country-specific VAT. 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. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 鈥淐ompetition鈥?is priced at 157,000 Euro plus country-specific VAT. 鈥淭he new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,鈥?says 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 Porsche Cayman by far is a very sexy looking Porsche - mind you it is not every bodies cup of tea - however it's a cross between a 911 and a Boxster. The Cayman has a 3.4 litre engine which has the cylinders of a 911 and the crank of a Boxster. The 911 has either a 3.6 litre engine or a 3.8 litre engine where as the Boxster only has a much smaller 3.2 litre. The Porsche Caymen is quick they is no questioning that it can get up to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and the top speed of 170 mph. So in summary the Porsche Cayman is a fine example of what a rigid and tin top body shelled Porsche's are capable of. If you buy the Cayman S then you will be buying a package that has every advantage that Porsche can offer and yet I just could not see any disadvantages!