Lewis Shaw
New Porsche Cayman GT4 revealed with a manual gearbox and all the Porsche Motorsport goodies ahead of the Geneva motor show.
Oh how the Porsche purists wept when the execs announced the new 911 GT3 would no longer be available with a manual gearbox. They wrote angry letters, held protests and it seems Porsche heard the calls to keep the manual gearbox loud and clear. Still, the GT3 remains PDK dual-clutch auto only. Sigh… But, Porsche has today announced a new motorsport model that is manual only – it’s called the Cayman GT4.
There has long been rumors that Porsche held back the Cayman sports car because it didn’t want its entry-level sports car being faster than the iconic and more expensive 911. Now though, it seems that Porsche is fully exploiting the performance advantages its little mid-engine monster has over the bigger rear-engine 911.
The new GT4 uses the bigger 3.8-litre flat six from the 911 Carrera S, developing 380hp, rather than the 3.4-litre engine from the existing Cayman S and GTS variants. That’s still 20hp down on the standard Carrera S – which means the Cayman effectively has a detuned version of the 911’s engine, so there’s still some favoritism going on. The Cayman’s standard six-speed manual gearbox is used and the 0-62mph sprint takes 4.4 seconds.
The GT4 isn’t just a Cayman with a bigger engine. The car has been completely reengineered, according to Porsche. The standard bodyshell has been strengthened for increased stiffness and rigidity, the whole car sits 30mm lower than the already-very-low GTS, and most of the suspension has been changed for Porsche motorsport parts. The GT4 uses the bigger 911 GT3’s front axle and suspension while the rear suspension features new forged aluminium wishbones. The dampers are from the GT3, as is the electric power steering system, though new software has been added.
As you’ve probably noticed, the aerodynamics of the Cayman have also been altered with track work in mind. At the front there’s a more aggressive bumper which incorporates a large splitter, while a big lairy wing sits on the rear deck lid. Porsche say the Cayman produces just as much down force as the GT3 – 100kg at speed.
Despite its larger engine, the GT4 weighs exactly the same as the 350hp Cayman GTS – 1340kg without fluids -, while customers can delete items like satnav and aircon to reduce weight further or option lightweight carbon fibre seats. Stopping power is supplied by standard steel brakes, though carbon ceramic items can be specified.
The Porsche Cayman GT4 will make its public debut at the Geneva motor show next month and go on sale towards the end of this year.
