Porsche Unveils 2019 Cayman GT4 And Spyder
The only essential difference between the 2020 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder is the body style: the former is a coupe, the latter is a convertible. Both are powered by a new naturally-aspirated, four-liter flat-six that produces 414 horsepower and red lines at soaring 8,000 rpm. The engine comes mated to a six-speed manual that automatically rev matches鈥攁 feature that will come in handy for those who haven't mastered the heel-toe balancing act between throttle and brake. Zero to 60 mph takes 4.2 seconds in each, but top speed for the GT4 is 188 mph, while the Spyder is exactly 1 mph slower. The traction, stability and anti-lock braking systems have all been tuned for the track. As CNET's Road Show notes, both trims are aggressively style with a splitter and spoiler in the front and a diffuser, set of tinted taillights and sport exhaust in the rear. The Spyder has a manually operated fabric soft top. Sport seats and a GT Sport steering wheel, air conditioning and Porsche's PCM infotainment system standard interior features. With regard to the cabins' aesthetics, the GT4 is finished in brushed aluminum, while the Spyder's matches the body.
Providing a sensual roadster experience reserved for a driver and passenger, the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster features a graceful performance profile. The mid-engined, open-air sports car returns in three trim levels for 2019 utilizing turbocharged four-cylinder engine power and available with a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 300-horsepower Porsche 718 Boxster base model comes standard equipped with a fully electrically operated soft top, Bi-xenon headlights and a Porsche Communication Management unit. Propelled by a larger 2.5-liter engine that produces 350 horsepower, the 2019 718 Boxster S also includes upgraded four-piston brake calipers and 19-inch wheels. Added as a third trim version of the 718 Boxster lineup for 2018, the GTS serves as the peak-performing version of the Porsche convertible. The Porsche 718 Boxster GTS features a similar engine as the S level using an upgraded intake plenum and turbocharger to produce 365 horsepower. Alcantara sport seats and a lowered suspension featuring Porsche Active Suspension Management are also included with the GTS trim level.
鈥淚 actually got with Porsche at COTA before the St. Pete race, so it was already on the mind,鈥?Bell told Sportscar365. 鈥淚 was looking at the car. George Kurtz was actually looking at this car and I looked at it a little bit, but actually the decision came after St. Pete because they had restricted the Audi so much. 鈥淚 spoke to them and they had this one in Germany and it hadn鈥檛 been sold yet, so I got it. It was here two weeks after that. I think it鈥檚 going to be the right choice. 鈥淚 still have the Audi. Bell and GMG gave the new Porsche GT4 a shakedown test at The Thermal Club in California two weeks ago, and he said he was immediately impressed with the feel of the car. 鈥淚 like the car so far,鈥?he said. 鈥淚 got a lot of time in the car, so this won鈥檛 be my first time driving it.
We had a really good test. 鈥淭he biggest thing to me on the comparison of it is that the Audi is very touchy. With the Audi, it鈥檚 a great car, but if you make a little mistake in it it turns into a big mistake. 鈥淭his car, coming off the corner, it seems a little more nimble. I have a lot more feel driving this car. Bell wasn鈥檛 shy about setting his expectations high for his first race in the new piece of machinery, despite the fact that this marks his Long Beach debut. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking to win my Am race for sure,鈥?he said. 鈥淚 have high expectations. I鈥檓 not here to finish last or second or third. 鈥淚鈥檝e never been here before, but I do like street courses and there鈥檚 probably 12 or 14 people who have never been here before. There are a lot of people on the same page. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to it because so many people haven鈥檛 been here. Ryan Myrehn is an Indianapolis-based journalist and sportscaster, covering IMSA and Pirelli World Challenge. Myrehn, a graduate of DePauw University, is also the host of Sportscar365's 鈥淒ouble Stint鈥?Podcast.