Finally! The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Porsche finally had the guts! The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is likely to make the dreams of many sports drivers come true. The Zuffenhausen brand has given the top model of the 718 line-up a proper 911 GT3 engine. We’ll give you the most important information from the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Very geeky aerodynamics, gooseneck rear wing, an engine to die for!

Since the market launch of the Cayman in 2005, Porsche has always kept the crocodile at a bit of a distance from its big brother, the 911. The time for restraint is now finally over. In its latest incarnation, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS gets the heart of the Porsche 911 GT3. Lovers of the mid-engined layout had to wait almost 17 years for this. Finally, a Cayman with a six-cylinder revving up to 9,000 rpm.

A manual transmission is (sadly) neither available for money, nor good words.

The 1,415 fully fueled kilograms are accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, thanks to its 500 hp and the 7-speed PDK. A manual transmission is (sadly) neither available for money nor good words. Point deduction in the B grade, but reminding ourselves of the primary purpose of trackday use, it seems bearable. The 35 kilograms less than the GT4 were bought with carbon fiber front hood and fenders, lighter carpets, less insulation and thinner glass.

In comparison with the 718 Cayman GT4, the aerodynamic changes are immediately apparent. As on its big brother, the 911 GT3, and the RSR racing version, the rear wing comes with gooseneck wing supports made of aluminum. There are also ducts on top of the front wheelarches, similar to the ones used on the GT2 RS. Combined with an adjustable front diffuser, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS in its trackday settings has 25% more downforce than the GT4.

The biggest highlight of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS? Its air intakes!

Admittedly, we only noticed this at a second glance. The rear side windows have given way to air intakes! This not only looks extremely racey, it also adds acoustic value. The intake air is thus directed towards the engine directly at head height of the occupants. We are very curious about the resulting intake noise! The side air intakes, which have always been a trademark of the Boxster and Cayman, are used to cool the engine.

Who really means business, orders the Weissach package

Of course, there are optional extras to make the RS even more extreme. In Zuffenhausen, the corresponding package has been called Weissach package for several years now. In the case of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, this means a front hood, air intakes, mirrors, airbox and rear wing made of visible carbon, titanium tailpipes and a bolted roll cage, also made of titanium. There are also a few other visual details on top. The shift boot is made of Race-Tex, the rear window gets Porsche lettering, and there are optional 20-inch magnesium forged wheels instead of the standard aluminum forged wheels.

Of course, this fresh cell treatment also ensures brilliant lap times in the spearhead of the 718 Cayman series. A lap of the Nordschleife in the hands of Jörg Bergmeister took just 7:09 minutes. The “little” crocodile thus adds a whopping 23 seconds to a Carrera GT’s 7:32 minute laptime.

Porsche gives the 718 Cayman a fitting send-off with the GT4 RS

The next Cayman generation will be powered electrically. Although we don’t know whether Porsche will launch special models with internal combustion engines, there are many indications that the GT4 RS is a swan song for the petrol-powered mid-engined sports car. It’s certainly great, that Porsche is finally giving the Cayman the tools to be a threat for the 911 GT3 on track. We are very curious about the first driving impressions.

Dear Andreas Preuninger, thank you for your courage to bring such a sharp blade to the market with your team! I can assure you of one thing: In the editorial department, there will certainly be a hard-fought battle for the place in the driver’s seat when the opportunity for a test drive presents itself.

© Porsche AG