Geneva show: Porsche reveals track-ready Cayman
BY RON HAMMERTON | 4th Feb 2015
The German sportscar company claims the new variant, powered by the 283kW 3.8-litre flat six from the 911 Carrera S, lapped Nurburgring in seven minutes and 40 seconds in testing, putting it at the head of its class.
The stripped out coupe will be wheeled out at next month’s Geneva motor show ahead of its launch later this year when it will be offered to Porsche customers as a cheaper track alternative to the $293,600 (plus on-road costs) 911 GT3.
In Australia, it will be launched in the third quarter at $190,300, almost $30,000 more than the current most expensive Cayman in Australia, the $160,900 GTS that packs 250kW from its smaller 3.4-litre boxer engine.
It is about $18,000 cheaper than the most affordable 911 Carrera, which starts at $208,600 for the 3.4-litre manual base model.
Although the GT4 has a ‘4’ in its title, it is two-wheel drive, with the mid-mounted engine driving the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
No PDK automatic will be available.
Engineered by Porsche’s Motorsport division in Weissach, the GT4 is said to be capable of a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.4 seconds – half a second quicker than the Cayman GTS – and a top speed of 295km/h.
Porsche says the chassis is “nearly entirely” 911 GT3, with a ride height lowered by 30mm and stopped by large steel brakes (ceramic brakes are optional). Wheels are forged 20-inch alloys, with 295/30 tyres on the rear and 245/35s on the front.
Externally, the GT4 is distinguished by a big fixed rear wing mounted on struts that appear to be adjustable for track purposes. Just to make sure it stays glued to the track, a second rear boot lip spoiler has been added, along with a rear diffuser.
At the front, the GT4 gets a new bumper and grille with three openings that give the nose extra downforce too.
Porsche’s Sport Chrono system with its “track precision” app is also available, as are race-style seats made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic as an alternative to the standard sports seats and are upholstered in a combination of Alcantara and leather.
