New Porsche GT4 Set For Roar Unveil
Porsche鈥檚 all-new Cayman GT4 Clubsport is set to be unveiled on Jan. 3 at Daytona International Speedway ahead of its competition debut later that month. The new-for-2019 GT4 contender, which has been spotted testing earlier this year (pictured above), is set to feature a more powerful version of the 3.8-liter flat-six powerplant, along with 鈥渟ustainably manufactured鈥?body parts. According to the German manufacturer, the car will boast natural-fiber composite materials for the front hood, doors and rear wing. Additional details will be announced during the presentation, which will occur the day prior to the start of the 鈥淩oar Before the 24鈥?pre-season test. A number of new Porsche GT4s are expected to be in attendance, including entries from Park Place Motorsports and TRG, which have both confirmed upcoming deliveries and initial race plans. John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365 as well as the recently launched e-racing365 Web site for electric racing.
The Audi-style virtual cockpit instrument panel is optional. AWD is standard in conjunction with three engine options (150 PS 1.5 TSI, 150 PS or 190 PS 2.0 TDIs), and the Rough Road package (underbody protection for the engine) is also included. Meanwhile, the Karoq Sportline trades the silver exterior bits for gloss black ones, which stand out against body-coloured bumpers. Also in black are the radiator grille, wing mirror caps, window outlines and roof rack. Like the Scout, there are badges on the front fenders, but they read 鈥淪port鈥?here. The sporty one rides on 18-inch 鈥淢ytikas鈥?alloys, with 19-inch 鈥淰ega鈥?items available. The only silver on the exterior is on the lower rear bumper, where a strip gives the impression of tailpipes. The sporty Karoq is equipped with fabric sports seats (new breathable ThermoFlux fabric) with diamond pattern silver stitching and a sports steering wheel with perforated black leather. As per the Scout, there鈥檚 a badge on the dash, door sills with the Karoq logo and stainless steel pedal covers. The optional virtual cockpit features a special 鈥渟port skin鈥?carbon effect background and a Sport display layout. The 鈥渟porty鈥?ambience is completed by carbon effect decor and black lining for the roof and pillars. The Sportline is the only variant offering the most powerful petrol engine in the Karoq range. The new 190 PS 2.0 litre TSI engine is exclusively paired to AWD and a seven-speed DSG automatic. The other engine options are a 150 PS 1.5 TSI petrol with automatic cylinder shutdown, a 150 PS 2.0 TDI and a 190 PS 2.0 TDI. The 150 PS engines can be had with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic.
As expected the new GT4鈥檚 exterior design is a mix between the previous Cayman GT4 and the facelifted 718 Cayman. Specifically, Porsche took all the aero features of the old GT4, with certain updates of course, and mixed them with the 718 Cayman鈥檚 new styling cues. Up front, highlight include a slightly wider front end with a new bumper with larger vents. The bumper has a more aggressive design, while the splitter suggests that you鈥檙e looking at the Cayman鈥檚 911 GT3 equivalent. The new central outlet improves both downforce and cooling and makes the 718 Cayman GT4 recognizable as the most track-capable model in the range. The GT4 also features the new bi-xenon headlamps and it can be ordered with the optional units with four-point DRLs. Onto the sides, the wider wheel arches and beefed-up side skirts are complemented by the new character lines above and below the side intakes and the revised door handles.
On the GT4, the air intakes have new blades with a bespoke design. A set of 20-inch wheels unique to this model round out the GT4鈥檚 profile. Much like the standard 718 Cayman, the GT4 changed dramatically around back. It sports new taillights with 3D LEDs and four-point brake lights, as well as the vintage-looking black strip with integrated "Porsche" lettering. This feature was first used on 1990s 911 Carreras and looks absolutely gorgeous on the Cayman. The wing and aggressive diffuser that make the GT4 stand out in the lineup sport minor changes for improved performance. Down below, the exhaust pipes sit further apart and the center diffuser is a bit more aggressive. This element increases downforce by around 50 percent compared to the old model. The manually adjustable rear wing was redesigned, while the taillights are not tinted. Just like the exterior, the interior of the 718 Cayman GT4 benefits from all the upgrades that Porsche introduced on the standard supercar three years ago, including a revised dashboard with new A/C vents and an update instrument cluster.
GT4-specific upgrades are quite numerous, starting with the GT Sport steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara and fitted with a black marker at the 12 o鈥檆lock position. It also features a shorter gear lever for a more direct feel when changing gears. Both the shifter and the lower section of the dashboard are wrapped in Alcantara for a race-inspired look. The Sport Seats Plus package comes standard and adds sportier seats with raised side bolsters. The seating surfaces are covered in Alcantara, just like in true-blue race cars. Porsche also offers full bucket seats or electrically adjustable 18-way Adaptive Sport seats. Brushed aluminum trim replaces the usual black surfaces, but you can opt for carbon-fiber inserts. The air conditioning and the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with Sound Package Plus are fitted as standard. The infotainment system can be upgraded with features like navigation, including Porsche Connect, and Apple CarPlay. You can also opt for body-colored seat belts, door pull loops, and contrast stitching.