Porsche developing flat-six Cayman GT4: report
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 16th May 2018
PORSCHE is developing a hardcore GT4 version of its 718 Cayman coupe that is expected to use the normally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the 911 GT3, according to British publication Autocar.
The GT4 prototype has been spied testing on the Nurburgring, and Porsche head of GT development Andreas Preuninger told Autocar that a free-breathing powerplant was the likeliest option for the new-gen Cayman.
“Natural aspiration is one of our main USPs,” he said. “At (Porsche) Motorsport, we think we can achieve throttle response and immediacy a little bit better with an atmospheric high-revving engine than any kind of turbo.”
He also said that there were no plans to develop a four-cylinder GT car, making the aspirated flat-six in the GT3 the most likely donor powerplant.
Power will likely be dialled down from the 368kW in the 911, but will be greater than the previous-gen Cayman GT4, which pumped out 283kW from its 3.8-litre six-pot.
For reference, the most powerful current Cayman is the GTS which develops 257kW/420Nm from its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder mill.
If history is to be repeated, Porsche will borrow a number of high-performance parts from the 911, including a modified chassis, lowered ride height and enhanced brakes.
A number of visual enhancements are expected to make their way on to the Cayman GT4, including a large fixed-wing spoiler, beefy air intakes and more aggressive bodykit pieces.
Mr Preuninger also hinted to Autocar that the Cayman GT4 will be made with manual and PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission options, unlike the previous-gen version which drove the rear wheels solely via a six-speed manual.
“The aim is to always have the choice,” he said. “Now we’ve started with that strategy with the GT3, let’s hope that it pays off.”
While it is not yet determined if Australian Cayman GT4s will be offered with both transmissions, the 911 GT3 coming Down Under gets auto and manual.
Porsche Australia has declined to comment if or when the Cayman GT4 may come to Australian showrooms.
If it comes to Australia, the new version can be expected to command a price tag of around $200,000 plus on-roads, given that the ask for the previous version was $190,300.
