Style and substance

From the early 356 to the iconic 911, Porsche has long been associated with building rear-engined cars, the layout becoming inextricably linked with the marque over the past 76 years. But during this time, Porsche has also had great success creating ultra-nimble machines with their engines mounted between the driver and rear axle. In fact, the very first 356 Roadster prototype – built in Gmünd, Austria, back in 1948 – was mid-engined, as were the 550 and 718 sports racers of the 1950s.

The first mid-engined Porsche production model, the 904 Carrera GTS, arrived in 1963. The lightweight sports racer – powered by a flat-four, flat-six or, in rare cases, a flat-eight engine – would go on to become one of the most successful Porsche racers ever, securing a 1–2 finish at the 1964 Targa Florio, as well as consecutive class victories at Le Mans in 1964 and 1965, and a podium finish at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally.

Sixty years on, the Porsche mid-engined legacy is being continued by the current 718 Cayman, which, like its predecessors, has become renowned for its nimble, balanced handling and elegant coupé styling. And for drivers wanting to add an extra dash of personality to their Porsche, there’s the 718 Cayman Style Edition, an example of which I’ve brought to the iconic surrounds of Goodwood Motor Circuit.

The Style Edition – based on the 300 PS 2.0-litre turbocharged boxer-engined Cayman (718 Cayman: Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 9.7 – 8.9 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 220 – 201 g/km, CO₂ class G , CO₂ class weighted combined G ) – offers a choice of contrasting colour combinations for both exterior and interior. This car pairs iconic Porsche Guards Red paint with white graphics and 20-inch alloy wheels, featuring Crayon highlights and stitching inside. It also comes with a raft of extra standard equipment such as two-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel and seats, plus ParkAssist at the front and rear, including a reversing camera.

The reason for this early autumn visit to Goodwood is to meet another red-and-white mid-engined Porsche that has been getting a lot of attention recently. The 904 Carrera GTS parked under one of the circuit’s paddock shelters is owned by David Clark, co-director and founder of famed racing team Jota – winners of the 2024 World Endurance Championship FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams, competing with a pair of Porsche 963s.

David is also a keen historic racer, campaigning his 904 at events like the Goodwood Revival. But before the car took to the track to compete in the blue riband RAC TT Celebration race at this September’s Revival, it was given a bold new livery courtesy of a collaboration between an artist and a racing brand who are both rooted in Porsche heritage: Daniel Arsham and Team Ikuzawa.

It may not have been the fastest car on the circuit, but it was certainly the most eye-catching

Tetsu Ikuzawa, the first Porsche factory driver from Japan and the first Japanese racer to compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours, launched his eponymous team after his retirement. Team Ikuzawa has now been given a new lease of life by his daughter, creative director Mai Ikuzawa, who has said she wants the core of the brand to reflect ‘the experiences I had growing up, and be all about team spirit’.

US artist Daniel Arsham has developed a bond with Porsche by using the brand and its cars as the centrepiece for some of his most spectacular pieces. The stunning 904 livery he helped create is a fusion of Team Ikuzawa branding and the sun emblem of the Japanese flag with lunar cycle motifs redolent of some of Arsham’s most memorable work.

For owner David Clark, it was a simple case of Porsche fans coming together to share their creativity and passion. ‘Mai convinced The Duke of Richmond [owner of the Goodwood Estate and founder of the Revival] that it would be a good idea, which it was. Daniel is a Porsche fanatic and friend of Mai and the Duke. I thought it was a cool idea so we all did it together.’

In the hands of five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro and his son Goffredo ‘Goofy’, the 904 finished 20th in the RAC TT Celebration, racing against a pack of machines that developed more than double the power of its 2.0-litre flat-six engine. While it may not have been the fastest car on the circuit, it was undoubtedly the most eye-catching.

With its unsilenced exhausts and cross-ply race tyres, the 904 can’t venture onto the road, but we can sample the 718 Cayman Style Edition during our trip to Goodwood. With perfectly weighted steering, the Cayman gives you confidence on the bumpiest of B-roads. And when it comes to performance, the mid-mounted 2.0-litre flat-four turbocharged engine delivers 300 PS and 380 Nm, the latter from just 2,150 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 62 mph takes 4.9 seconds.

A spectacular driver’s car, the 718 Cayman Style Edition delivers the agile handling made famous by mid-engined Porsche machines of the past – a fitting heir to the legacy that the 904 did so much to create.