Porsche Tops 718 Model Series With 2019 Spyder And 2019 Cayman GT4
Porsche has unveiled two models that will be topping the mid-engine lineup thanks to their fresh new six-cylinder boxer engines: the 2020 Spyder and the 2020 Cayman GT4. On Tuesday, Porsche announced that the 718 mid-engine series is gaining two new members for the 2020 model year; in these models turbocharged flat-four boxer engines have been swapped out for flat-six versions with six-speed manual transmission. Both the 2020 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4 claim the top performance spots in the segment and share the same technical basis -- the only significant difference between the models is the presence of a permanent roof or not. The new and improved engines can generate 414 horsepower which brings the Spyder to a top speed of 187 mph and the Cayman GT4 up to 188 mph; both can sprint from 0 - 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Compared with their predecessors, the Cayman GT4 has significantly improved aerodynamics as a result of a redesigned muffler, a new diffuser, and a reimagined front end, and the 718 Spyder benefits from a GT chassis for the first time. Though each model has been designed for street use, both have been optimized for the track.
It is the return of the range-topping Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder for the Porsche 718 series of mid-engined sports cars, and according to Porsche, both top iterations of the Cayman and Boxster now share a technical base. For starters, both are powered by a 4.0 litre naturally-aspirated engine producing 420 PS at 7,600 rpm and 420 Nm of torque between 5,000 rpm and 6,800 rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels exclusively via a six-speed manual transmission, and the rear axle includes a limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV). These outputs are 5 PS/5 Nm less than the track-going 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport鈥榮. Thus equipped, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Boxster Spyder both do the 0-100 km/h acceleration benchmark in 4.4 seconds, from a standstill to 160 km/h in 9.0 seconds and to 200 km/h in 13.8 seconds. Top speed for the Cayman in 304 km/h, while the Boxster attains a maximum of 301 km/h.
In both the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder, fuel consumption is rated at 10.9 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions at 249 g/km. The naturally aspirated powerplant features adaptive cylinder control, which cuts fuelling to one of the two cylinder banks on partial load for reduced fuel consumption, while a gasoline particulate filter takes care of further emissions. Secondly, Preuninger told the magazine that the GT3 engine does not react very well to power reduction. 鈥?A detuned version does not make sense, especially considering the packaging constraints,鈥?he said. Meanwhile, the next consideration was cost; using a GT3 engine would have pushed prices even further upwards, he added. Meanwhile, its rear wing produces 20% more downforce than its predecessor, translating to an additional 12 kg of downforce at 200 km/h. This is balanced at the front end with a large front spoiler lip, while airflow along the front wheels is calmed by air curtains. As for the 718 Boxster Spyder, the rear spoiler is a movable item which deploys at 120 km/h, and with its functional diffuser, is the first Boxster to generate downforce at the rear axle, says Porsche. Both the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder feature aluminium monobloc fixed caliper brakes, with PCCB ceramic composite brakes optionally available. The top Boxster now also gets 鈥榮pecially adapted鈥?ultra-high performance tyres which are also used by the Cayman GT4, which add up to a 10-second quicker laptime around the Nurburgring Nordschleife for the coupe compared to its predecessor. The 718 Cayman GT4 can also be optionally specified with the Clubsport pack, which includes a steel roll bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point seat belt for the driver. The 718 Boxster Spyder uses a manually-fitted roof mechanism for weight savings, and the lightweight convertible top 鈥榗an cope with top speeds鈥? says Porsche.
The original Porsche Cayman GT4 was one of the biggest success stories of 2015 for the motoring world. The combination of a stiffer Cayman chassis powered by the engine from a 911 and a manual gearbox melted hearts of car nerds everywhere. With the new 718 generation Cayman being powered by a 4-cylindre turbocharged engine, worries among petrolheads of a turbo GT4 have grown. However, you can now put your mind at rest as Car magazine have found some interesting gossip. In fact, after talks with Frank-Steffen Walliser the man in charge of R&D for sports cars, it was revealed that the new driver鈥檚 dream car will be revealed at the Goodwood Motorshow in July. Furthermore, this is not the only insight to come out of the chat. Mr Walliser also said the GT4 will still feature the 3.8 litre flat six engine found in the previous GT4. However this time, those 6 cylinders will be producing 420bhp. That鈥檚 a whopping 45bhp more than the underpowered 981 generation鈥檚 GT program variant.