Porsche Cayman GT4 revealed

The Porsche Cayman GT4 has been revealed. It is the track version of the mid-engined sports car that’s been equipped with a larger engine from the 911 Carrera S and a manual gearbox. The Cayman GT4 will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show this March.

Positioned between the Cayman GTS and the 911 GT3, the Cayman GT4 uses a stiffened and strengthened Cayman bodyshell as a starting point. It is lowered by 30mm and then, as Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger says, “as many GT parts as possible” are added into it. “We didn’t make this out of a Cayman GTS,” he says. “This is an entry-level mid-engined GT3 car.”

The Cayman GT4 is powered by a retuned version of the Carrera S’ 3.8-litre flat six engine, producing 380bhp and 42.9kgm of torque. Transmission duties are held by a six-speed manual gearbox. A PDK dual-clutch automatic was considered but rejected, meaning the Cayman GT4 only gets manual transmission. Preuninger says the engine didn’t fit at first, and describes the end result as an “old-school hot rod – a big engine in a small car”. He adds: “It’s a whole new package – very driveable, an explosive experience that makes you smile all the time.” The 0-100kph sprint takes 4.4 seconds and the top speed is 295kph.

The front axle and suspension are borrowed from the 911 GT3, and the rear axle and forged aluminium double wishbone suspension are completely new. Dampers are taken from the 911 GT3 too, as is the electric steering system, but it’s been given a new software in the Cayman GT4. There’s no need for the likes of the 911 GT3’s rear-wheel steering for the Cayman GT4, because the mid-engined car simply doesn’t need it, according to Preuninger. The result is a purer driving experience.

Stopping power is provided by standard steel brakes, or optional carbon-ceramics from the 911 GT3 that Preuninger describes as “slightly over-engineered and delightfully oversized” when fitted to the Cayman GT4. The forged 20-inch alloys are new and are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. The rear 295/30 ZR20 tyres are bespoke, but the front 245/35 ZR20s are borrowed from the 911 GT3 as they were “a perfect match”, according to Preuninger.

The design is a classic case of form following function, says Preuninger. The goal was to create a “zero lift car”, but thanks to the extensive aerodynamic and cooling package on the car – which includes a front splitter, a larger front grille and increased frontal air intakes, side air intakes, not one but two rear spoilers, and a fully functional diffuser – the Cayman GT4 produces as much downforce at speed (100kg) as the 911 GT3. Every single part on the Cayman GT4 has a functional use. The Cayman GT4 weighs no more than a Cayman GTS, tipping the scales at 1,340kg.

It gets darkened headlamps and tail-lamps, blackened twin central exhausts and detailed stitching on the twin lightweight bucket seats, taken from the 918 Spyder. The steering wheel is new for the GT4 and the sports seats are trimmed in both leather and Alcantara. Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlights, a sports exhaust system, a Sport Chrono Package with dynamic engine mounts, the Porsche Torque Vectoring system, a mechanical limited-slip differential at the rear and the Porsche Stability Management system.

The Cayman GT4 gets carbonfibre-reinforced, plastic-backed seats for the two seat interior, as options. They weigh just about 15kg each, and are inspired by the 918 Spyder. It also gets a customised version of the Sport Chrono Package and a Club Sport Package as options.