Bradley Iger
Judging by current tasks just like the Mission R and 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance, Porsche seems poised to introduce an electrified model of the Cayman within the not-too-distant future. Whereas it is probably that such a sports activities automobile will elevate the bar for sure measures of efficiency, it is also secure to imagine that the driving expertise will probably be altered considerably. So far, high-performance EVs have struggled to ship the form of emotional connection that fans have grown accustomed to from their ICE-motivated counterparts—an element that is undoubtedly high of thoughts for the designers who’re engaged on the subsequent technology of the automaker’s lineup. Within the meantime, although, the oldsters in Porsche’s GT division have ensured that the present period of the Cayman won’t go light into that good evening.
A vocal contingent of the Weissach devoted lengthy insisted {that a} mannequin just like the GT4 RS would by no means be produced. Since its introduction in 2005, the Cayman has been positioned as Porsche’s entry-level sports activities coupe relative to the 911, and plenty of posited that this mid-engine platform would by no means notice its full potential as a consequence of considerations that it’d upstage its iconic older brother. Though the debut of the 981-generation Cayman GT4 again in 2016 was arguably the primary piece of proof that successfully refuted this idea, the 718 GT4 RS places the notion to mattress. Not solely is that this essentially the most visceral and succesful Cayman ever produced, it additionally makes a robust case for itself as essentially the most compelling sports activities automobile on sale right now, full cease.
The GT4 RS advantages from all kinds of upgrades, however the engine is undoubtedly the star of the present. Whereas it shares the identical displacement because the naturally aspirated 4.0 L flat-six in the usual 718 GT4, it is truly a wholly completely different engine that is borrowed from the newest 911 GT3. Output is down barely from that rear-engine utility because of the backpressure created by the Cayman’s longer exhaust system, however peak figures of 493 hp (368 kW) and 331 lb-ft (449 Nm) of torque nonetheless make this essentially the most highly effective factory-produced Cayman ever provided by a large margin and bestow it with a searing 9,000 rpm redline.
Bradley Iger
In distinction to different Caymans, the aspect scoops positioned simply behind the driving force and passenger doorways are used for engine cooling within the GT4 RS, whereas a pair of latest RS-specific intakes are put in the place the rear quarter home windows would usually be discovered to feed contemporary air into the throttle our bodies. And since the engine is mounted backward compared to its orientation within the 911 GT3, a brand new seven-speed PDK dual-clutch computerized transmission was additionally developed particularly for this utility.
Whereas it is the only real gearbox on supply right here—sorry, three-pedal followers—it makes use of similar track-focused gear and axle ratios because the previous-generation 911 GT3 RS, and the dual-mass flywheel comes instantly from the GT4 Clubsport race automobile. Energy is distributed solely to the rear wheels, and the mix will get this 3,200-lb (1,450 kg) coupe to 60 mph from relaxation in a scant 3.2 seconds on its method to a 196 mph (315 km/h) high pace.
The extra horsepower is supported by elevated spring charges and revised damper tuning, ball joints for all the connection factors on the entrance and rear axles, and the mixing of the previous-generation 911 Carrera 4’s entrance construction to bolster chassis rigidity. Downforce can be elevated by as much as 25 % at 125 mph (200 km/h) versus the usual GT4 because of aerodynamic components like an adjustable entrance diffuser and a brand new mounted rear wing with swan-neck helps, whereas braking is enhanced by means of bigger customary cast-iron/aluminum composite discs borrowed from the 911 GT3. New wheel properly air guides and NACA ducts on the hood are additionally available to assist handle the warmth extra effectively.
