Porsche 718 Cayman GT4. To the limits of the possible
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a rear-wheel drive S-Class sports coupe produced since 2015 by Porsche (Germany). In 2016, the Cayman, Spyder and Boxster formed the Porsche 718 range and simultaneously switched to turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. But especially for enthusiasts, the company has prepared a special version with the canonical powertrain, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 coupe. In 2021, the 2019 second generation coupe can be purchased in Israel.
The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is perhaps the most iconic of all modern Porsche cars. It is ideal for those who want to push their limits. It is for those who ask ‘Why not? ’ instead of ‘Why? ’ for anyone who prefers to sit in a sports seat rather than a leather chair. No light breeze. No gentle breeze. Everything predicts a storm. One glance at the car is enough to understand: resistance, including aerodynamic resistance, is pointless.
The Cayman GT4 sports coupe, like any other Porsche car, is distinguished by high-quality build, powerful powertrains, informative steering, a comfortable interior and good road performance. If you decide to buy it, please remember that it has a low ground clearance and a stiff sports suspension, high fuel and engine oil consumption.
The first generation
It was produced from 2015 to 2016. The actual premiere of the Porsche Cayman itself took place at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept was based on the Boxster roadster, from which the Cayman differed by a closed body type and new suspension settings. The coupe featured a two-seater interior, a mid-engine layout and rear-wheel drive. In 2013, the second generation came out, along with the new engines and a PDK transmission. And in 2015, the manufacturer released the most uncompromising Cayman GT4.
The second generation
It has been produced from 2019 to the present (as of 2021). The 2019/2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 looks beautiful, boasting a carbon fiber spoiler with an adjustable approach angle, 20-inch wheels, perforated cast iron discs with 6-piston calipers at the front and 4-piston ones at the rear. The center of gravity is low. The ground clearance is minimal. The sports car maintains close contact with the road. Optimum stability is provided by 20-inch platinum-colored light-alloy wheels, which almost completely fill the wheel arches. The wide track in combination with sports tires improves traction and cornering dynamics.
Exterior
The aerodynamic concept of the 2020/2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 has been brought to perfection. The arrow-shaped front end guides the air and forces it to perform its main task: to provide optimal downforce. The strongly pronounced front spoiler lip with additional aerodynamic elements in front of the wheel arches provides the necessary downforce at the front axle. The central air intake at the front further optimizes aerodynamics, and the air passing through it is discharged upward through the opening in front of the front cover. Even the lower section of the front spoiler lip has been aerodynamically optimized.
The front curtain airbags minimize air turbulence around the wheels and help reduce air drag by directing airflow out of the wheel arches directly in front of the wheels. The new air intake grilles have a honeycomb pattern. Thus, they provide less resistance to the oncoming air flow, and also reliably protect the radiators from the impact of stones and insects. The side air intakes with embossed 'GT4' lettering provide the additional aerodynamic drag. As a result, the car offers increased intake air pressure and more efficient engine cooling.
The rear end features a fixed spoiler with integrated sidewalls and struts made of aluminum, which provides more downforce on the rear axle and more traction, and not only in corners. The two black tailpipes of the sports exhaust system are well spaced apart, allowing a new diffuser to be placed between them. This is not a decorative element, but a true example of high sports technology, which provides a high flow rate under the floor and, compared to the previous model, increases downforce by 40% at the rear axle.
Interior
Beautiful design. Excellent tactile properties. Sporty laconicism, typical Porsche ergonomics. Everything is flawless. Everything is reasonable. One cannot help but notice the dashboard with three round instruments and a tachometer with a yellow arrow located in the middle. The dial is titanium-colored and bears the 'GT4' lettering. The special sports steering wheel has a ‘zero’ mark and black inlayed spokes. The special Race-Tex material on the rim of the steering wheel and gear lever prevents the hands from slipping. It is also used to trim the door handles, the compartment lid on the center console, as well as the A-pillars and the headlining.
The decorative stitching, including the one on the door armrests and on the seats, is in silver. The GT4 lettering on the headrests and the door hinges are also in the same color. The fancy strips on the dashboard and center console in brushed aluminum underline the sporty character of the 2020/2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4. As an option, there is a brushed aluminum interior package in the typical GT anthracite color and Race-Tex upholstery with extended leather upholstery.
The seats also reflect sporty ambitions. The seats are upholstered in black leather and have Race-Tex centerpieces. The headrests are embroidered with the 'GT4' lettering in different colors depending on the trim level.
Engines
The new GT4 is equipped with a 4-liter boxer petrol six-cylinder engine. Unlike the entry-level Cayman with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the GT4 version is not turbocharged. The naturally aspirated engine produces 420 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 4.4 seconds. The GT4's top speed is limited to 304 km/h. The sports car comes with a six-speed manual transmission, which is a tribute to conservatism, along with a return to naturally aspirated engines. In 2020, cars started featuring a 7-speed automated transmission as an alternative to 6-speed manual transmissions; with it, sports cars have become faster. Thus, it now takes the 2021 718 Cayman GT4 3.9 seconds to accelerate.
Equipment
The 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 has received a different body kit, which helped to increase downforce and improve handling in swift corners. In particular, the engineers have installed new diffusers and a spoiler. The ‘Start-Stop’ system is responsible for fuel saving, for which a new starter and an enlarged battery have been selected. It comes standard with reinforced carbon ceramic brakes. The optional Clubsport package includes racing sports seats with multi-point belts, a bolt-on steel roll cage and even a clip-on fire extinguisher.
This car is designed for the race track. The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is not a car for tourism or long-distance travel. The volume of the rear (182 liters) and front (150 liters) trunks is almost identical. Overall, there is enough space even for a suitcase and a couple of large backpacks, but taking on a long journey on a GT4 is not a very good idea. At the same time, despite the inner ‘asceticism’ of the sports car, the quality of the finishing materials and their fit to each other is phenomenal. And the seating geometry in the virtually unadjustable seat will make it possible to identify the Porsche even with a blindfold.
