2019 Porsche Cayman GT4 First Look: 414 HP, Hard-Core Hardware
At last, the all-new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is here! For starters, it packs an all-new 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six. That's right, in the era where only 10 percent of 911 variants are naturally aspirated, and 100 percent of the Cayman/Boxster lineup is turbocharged, the free-breathing Cayman GT4 (and its Boxster Spyder sibling) stands alone. The sublime first-gen GT4 pulled power from a 3.8-liter, 385-hp naturally aspirated six sourced from the 991.1 Carrera S, so there's precedent for this 4.0-liter model. The lineage of the powertrain is a bit more muddled this time, though, as Porsche claims this is a completely new engine and not at all related to the wild 4.0-liter in the 991.2 GT3. Porsche tells us that this new powerplant is based on the 9A2 generation of engines that power the soon-to-be-replaced 991.2 Carreras. This is quite a leap from the regular 9A2, however, considering all 991.2s from base Carrera through Carrera GTS pack the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six.
At minimum, this new engine has had the turbos and attendant plumbing removed, its displacement enlarged by a full liter, and been packed with a new crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, valvetrain, air intakes, and cylinder heads. Against this work, it was allegedly too costly and complex to make the GT3's 4.0-liter work here, which is hard to imagine. As to why the engineers in Flacht, where Porsche's race cars and GT road cars are developed, stuck with natural aspiration, GT boss Andreas Preuninger says it's sticking to its guns. A total of 414 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque are sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission sourced from the current 718 GTS. Porsche admits it has future plans to bring the snappy PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox to the GT4, but for now, you'll need to shift it yourself or find another car. Performance is strong, with the zero-to-60-mph run taking just 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 188 mph.
鈥?she says in her affidavit. She became increasingly dependent upon Hamish as her 20-year marriage disintegrated into divorce. Indeed, despite consulting seven different wealth advisers after receiving her mammoth divorce settlement she claims Hamish told her that they were 鈥榦nly after your money鈥?and she鈥檇 be better off trusting him. She adds that while he 鈥榮upported me emotionally through the divorce and helped me get through a difficult time鈥? he soon began to exert 鈥榞reat control over my life鈥? She admits feeling a sense of loyalty to him for helping her and feeling 鈥榓 huge sense of shame at the prospect of a second failed relationship鈥? 鈥業 did not know how to get myself out of the situation of Hamish鈥檚 abusive behaviour, manipulation and taking advantage of me financially,鈥?she says. Right from the start, says Mandy, Hamish enjoyed a 鈥榣avish international lifestyle funded by me鈥? which included rent-free living in her 拢5 million home in London鈥檚 Marylebone, clothes purchased from Tom Ford and meals out at Michelin-starred restaurants. She paid for holidays all over the world, including trips to Thailand, India, the Maldives, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Brazil. Hamish, she says, went on lengthy yoga and meditation retreats and enjoyed 拢40,000 worth of stem-cell injections, vitamin IVs and ozone treatments. She even opened up a Swiss bank account for him and, while she was still waiting for her divorce payout, gave him two valuable rings to sell on her behalf at Sotheby鈥檚. With her agreement, the proceeds were paid into his account. 鈥業 had not yet received any money from my divorce and I needed cash,鈥?she says. She says that before he met her he had taken various 鈥榤oney-making鈥?courses 鈥?two of them were called Do This Get Money and Mailbox Millions. In response to the claims, Hamish said: 'I 100% refute and deny that I ever held Mandy down against her will. Mandy's statement about the Olso airport "slap" is completely untrue.
What It Is: The most exclusive and special variant of Porsche鈥檚 mid-engine Boxster convertible, now updated to fit within the 718 lineup. Like the previous Boxster Spyder, this new droptop will feature its own engine, suspension tuning, and distinctive bodywork compared to the more plebeian 718s, and it will be sold in limited numbers at a significant price premium. Why It Matters: One of the most controversial changes to the 718 range was the recent swap from naturally aspirated flat-six engines to turbocharged flat-fours. If the rumors we鈥檝e been hearing are true, though, this Boxster Spyder and the upcoming Cayman GT4 will be the only 718 variants available with six cylinders mounted amidships. This will make these cars highly desirable鈥攁nd, likely, collectible. Platform: The same mid-engine setup as all 718 Boxsters, but with model-specific suspension tuning and different bodywork for the back half of the car. Powertrain: While six-cylinder power seems all but certain, there鈥檚 plenty of speculation still swirling as to 颅which six will be installed in the 718 Boxster Spyder and its Cayman GT4 coupe equivalent. In our dreams it鈥檒l get the 911 GT3鈥檚 naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six鈥攂ut making less than that model鈥檚 500 horsepower to maintain the hierarchy in the Porsche lineup. Estimated Arrival and Price: The Boxster Spyder and Cayman GT4 seem poised to be the next 718 variants to make an appearance, so we think they鈥檒l be released by the end of this year. 82,950 starting figure, so this Boxster might be a six-figure proposition, if only just.