Porsche has taken the covers off its new Cayman GT4 coupe and drop-top Boxster Spyder - a pair of hardcore models based on the German firm鈥檚 718-generation sports cars. Designed with a focus on driving thrills over comfort, the new models will feature a manual gearbox, with no mention of any automatic option in the pipeline. And driving fans may be pleased to learn that a flat-six motor will replace the turbocharged flat-four engines found in the standard 718 Cayman and Boxster, which were criticised for their lacklustre sound. Prices for the Boxster Spyder kick off at 拢73,405, while the Cayman GT4 is slightly more expensive at 拢75,348, PistonHeads reports. Porsche is known for offering buyers an extensive options list, so expect both of those figures to rise once a few extras have been added. Both models are available to order now. Porsche will offer a Clubsport package - adding a rear roll bar, a fire extinguisher and a six-point seatbelt for the driver - at a later date, says Auto Express. The performance-focused newcomers look similar to the entry-level sports cars on which they鈥檙e based, but are set apart by a few key design tweaks.
The Cayman GT4 gets a more aggressive front and rear bumper design than that of the previous-generation model. There鈥檚 also a small wing above the boot lid and a pair of exhausts that emerge from the diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper. The Boxster Spyder gets a similar treatment, including the addition of more angular bumpers and a twin-exit exhaust system. However, as a drop-top, the Boxster Spyder鈥檚 engine cover extends from the back of the cabin to the small ducktail-esque wing. The roof is fastened in place manually and can be stored under the front bonnet when not in use. Both models are powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine, as opposed to the turbocharged 2.0-litre flat-four motors that feature in the base-spec Cayman and Boxster. On paper, the engine looks identical to the motor that powers the hardcore 991-generation 911 GT3 RS. Instead, the engine that powers the track-honed 718 cars is a larger, naturally aspirated version of the turbo flat-six found in standard 911 Carrera models. The engine in the new models produces 414bhp and 310lb ft of torque, revving all the way to 8,000rpm, notes Autocar. Power is sent to the rear-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, to achieve a zero to 62mph time of 4.4 seconds in both models. Top speed comes in at 188mph on the Cayman GT4, and 187mph on the Boxster Spyder.
Rimac is keeping the vital details of its second hypercar secret so far but apparently some of them are out. Citing a source close to the manufacturer, Autocar reports that the new Rimac hypercar will come with a 120kWh battery pack. Previous reports suggested that the upcoming electric car will offer a longer range than the Concept One鈥檚 210 miles, backing up the reported battery capacity. Other sources claim that Rimac changed their targets for the new model when Tesla announced the new Roadster, which claims a 0-100 km/h in 1.9 seconds and will feature a 200kWh battery pack. Rimac has already teased the new model ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Compared to the Concept One, which was produced in just eight examples, plus two track-only Concept S versions, the new car will feature a roomier cabin and, more crucially, more power and better performance figures. The Concept One was powered by four electric motors mounted on each wheel, producing a combined 1224 hp and 1180 lb-ft of torque. 0-100 km/h takes just 2.5 seconds. Rimac is targeting a limited production run of 100 cars for its second hypercar, which will debut on March 6 at the Geneva Motor Show.
The performance SUV might be a niche within a niche, but the sector is expanding at quite a rate. While cars such as the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo prove there鈥檚 a market for high-riding, practical and pokey off-roaders, if your budget is a little less extravagant then your choice has been far more limited - until now. The 拢36,490 Audi SQ2 is one of very few more (relatively) affordable but still sporty compact SUVs. It has a 296bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo that sends power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch box. The familiar VW Group turbo powertrain is allied to a familiar chassis. Those MQB underpinnings mean the SQ2 drives rather predictably - but that鈥檚 not necessarily a bad thing. You can jump into this car and get to grips with it quickly, pushing it hard to exploit the performance. And there鈥檚 plenty of that, no matter what the conditions.