718 Cayman GT4 - meant for something more

13/04/2020

Arriving in Australia in 2020, the 718 Cayman GT4 represents the entry-level GT road model from Porsche. But what makes it so special? Here are the product highlights from the road going Cayman that is made for something more.

Revised aero package

At first glance, it is clear that the GT4 is no ordinary Cayman. The front splitter, rear diffuser and rear wing are among the striking features that produce up to 50 percent more downforce without adversely affecting drag.

The rear wing alone produces around 20 percent more downforce compared with its predecessor. This corresponds to additional downforce of twelve kilograms at 200 km/h. The front section, which is optimised in the GT style, maintains the aerodynamic balance with a large front spoiler lip and so-called air curtains. The latter calm the air flow along the front wheels.

Functional and emotive interior

Getting into the GT4, drivers will find themselves looking through the 360mm Alcantara-clad sports steering wheel to the iconic Porsche tachometer with it’s 8000rpm red line. From there, enthusiast drivers will appreciate the gear lever for the six-speed manual transmission.

The engine

The four-litre six cylinder naturally aspirated engine generates 309 kW / 420 PS (horsepower) is based on the same engine family as the turbo engines in the current 911 Carrera (type 992) models, with 35 PS (horsepower) more than the GT4 predecessor model. The fascinating character of this naturally aspirated engine boasts linear power delivery and the immediate response of a GT engine.

GT chassis for high agility and every day usability

Sports car enthusiasts who delight in driving pleasure and appreciate a high level of agility and an almost intimate proximity to the centre of power will benefit from the high-performance GT chassis of the 718 Cayman GT4.

With its superior cornering dynamics, it provides an emotional driving experience.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management damping system with 30 mm lower suspension lowers the centre of gravity and improves lateral dynamics. It is specifically designed for use on the racetrack and makes the handling characteristics of the 718 Cayman GT4 sharper.

Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock further enhances the longitudinal and lateral dynamics, cornering performance and driving pleasure.

Powerful brakes

Part of the overall package that makes the 718 Cayman GT4 fly on the Nürburgring Nordschleife are ultra-high-performance tyres specially adapted by Porsche. Its lap time on the 20.6-kilometre racetrack is more than ten seconds faster than its predecessor.

The six piston 380mm high-performance brake system provides consistent braking that is suitable for track driving thanks to large aluminium monobloc fixed-caliper brakes.

By the numbers

309 kW / 420 PS* (horsepower)

Four-litre six-sylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine

Six-speed manual transmission

Top speed 304 km/h

0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds

30mm lower suspension

In summary: "A road going, but track focused GT car."

*PS (Pferde Stärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in ‘metric horsepower’

Driving comfort and dynamics

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock

Australian standard specifications

Bi-Xenon headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System

ParkAssist including reversing camera

Automatically dimming mirrors with rain sensor

Ambient interior lighting

Alarm system with interior surveillance

Apple CarPlay, navigation including Porsche Connect, digital radio

Cruise control

Two-zone climate control

Heated seats

What the press say

“There is a new mid-engine hero car in the Porsche garage and it’s all sorts of awesome." Feann Torr, Carsales

(Full review here.)

“The Porsche Cayman GT4 is the track focused variant from Stuttgart and it continues the GT4 tradition of accessible excellence, while being more affordable than any other track focused Porsche.”

-Trent Nikolic, CarAdvice.com.au (full review here.)

“For people who care about driving, we’re not sure it gets much better than this. Yes, there are faster 911s, more aggressive 911s, and more exciting 911s. But if you’re not hell bent on outright speed or ultimate lap times, the Cayman GT4’s genius is its ability to zero in on the thrill of driving. It’s magnificent.”

-Alex Inwood, Wheels Magazine (full review here.)

"If the engine of the new 718 Cayman GT4 and Spyder was a fast food restaurant order it would go something like this: one Porsche flat-six, extra capacity, hold the turbos.

Designed to deliver an appetising helping of old-time Porsche flavour, it’s one of the tastiest things cooked up in the company’s engineering kitchen in recent times."

-John Carey, News.com.au (full review here.)