The All-New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4: Improving Upon Greatness

Cars, Reviews I By Peter Nelson I June 18, 2019

Finally, the new Porsche Cayman GT4 has been announced! There’s been a lot of discussion in our shop, as well with customers in our retail stores, about whether or not it will have Porsche’s renowned 4.0-liter, naturally aspiration Flat-6 engine. Porsche has finally confirmed the rumors and it is true: the track-ready, mid-engine, Stuttgarter Rakete will sport a 4.0-liter engine, though not the one Porsche fans have come to know and love. Here’s more on the mighty powerplant, as well as some other fun facts about the new model:

The 4.0 is actually derived from the all-new 992 911’s 3.0-liter engine, stroked to 4.0 liters. It’s a naturally-aspirated screamer: 414 horsepower, 310 pound-feet of torque, and a redline set to 8,000 RPM. We’re anxious for the aftermarket to do the Lord's work and debut straight-from-the-cat exhaust systems that really boosts it’s symphony of Flat-6 beauty. Porsche hasn’t left fuel economy out of its engineering: it will come with adaptive cylinder control, improving fuel injection efficiency and reducing overall fuel consumption. Recoup some of those track fuel costs by getting better MPGs on the way home!

Improved downforce, less drag! According to Porsche’s press release, the new 718 GT4 produces up to 50 percent more downforce, without adversely affecting drag – proof of outstanding efficiency. The aerodynamics benefit enormously from the newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer: it creates space in the rear section for a functional diffuser, which accounts for 30 percent of the downforce at the rear axle. The fixed rear wing is also marked by greater efficiency: it produces around 20 percent more downforce compared to the previous model.

Improved chassis dynamics: the 718 GT4 comes with revised lightened front suspension and lightened rear axles. It also comes equipped with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management damping system which can provide a 30 mm lower ride height, lowering the center of gravity and vastly improving lateral dynamic potential.

It also weighs in at just over 3,100 pounds, does 0-60 MPH in just 4.2 seconds (half a second slower than a 992 Carrera), thankfully only comes in a 6-speed manual (for now at least), tops out at 188 miles per hour, and, frankly, is absolutely gorgeous.

We’re immensely excited to start seeing these on track at COTA, Buttonwillow, Chuckwalla, MSR Houston, etc. The previous GT4 is one of the best concentrations of on-track fun that money can buy; this one will only be better. We can’t wait for the opportunity to find out.