This is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS which is the new flagship model for the 718 family. Driving pleasure starts with 500 PS from a high-revving mid-mounted engine sitting in a vehicle weighing in at about 1,415kg.
Launched just this week at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, it is priced at USD141,700 or about 108,370 British pounds. This means it will arrive in Malaysia at about RM600,000 before local taxes and delivery is added.
So if you are in Malaysia and planning to buy this GT4 RS for every day use, you might end up paying more than double the US and UK asking price.
PRESS RELEASE: This is an uncompromising driver’s car designed to impress with its lightweight construction, extremely agile chassis set-up, sophisticated aerodynamics and unique soundtrack. Whether it is being driven on narrow, winding mountains roads or closed race tracks, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS is king of the compact mid-engined range.
Meanwhile, we were lucky enough to experience the current Cayman GT4 at our Sepang circuit earlier this year in January 2021. Priced at RM999,000, it was sold out as quickly as it was unloaded from its crate.
On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, it outperforms its sibling, the 718 Cayman GT4, by more than 23 seconds.
The naturally aspirated flat-six engine, familiar from the 911 GT3 Cup racing car and the 911 GT3 series production model, forms the center-piece of a sports car that has been designed for maximum driving pleasure.
The engine revs as high as 9,000 rpm. Compared to the 718 Cayman GT4, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS has an extra 80 PS, resulting in a weight-to-power ratio of 2.83 kg/PS. Maximum torque has been increased from 430 to 450 Nm.
Among the striking features of the new, top-of-the-range 718 are the process air intakes behind the driver and passenger windows. The 718 Cayman normally has small side windows here. The new air intakes improve both the intake airflow and, at the same time, create a thrilling intake noise right next to the occupants’ ears. The characteristic air intakes in front of the rear wheels have been retained and are used for engine cooling.
Like every modern RS model, this new 718 GT4 RS is exclusively available with the Porsche dual clutch transmission (PDK). This gearbox shifts through its seven gears at lightning speed and guarantees maximum performance. The gearshift paddles allow drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel even when changing gear manually. Alternatively, they can use the redesigned selector lever on the center console.
The sports low-ratio PDK underpins the incredible acceleration of this mid-engined sports car. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds (GT4 with PDK: 3.9 seconds) and has a top speed of 315 km/h (GT4 with PDK: 302 km/h), which it reaches in seventh gear.
In typical RS style, lightweight construction is a defining element of the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS design. The two-seater weighs only 1,415 kilograms, with a full fuel tank and without a driver as defined by the DIN standard, which is 35 kg less than a PDK-equipped 718 GT4.
This weight reduction is achieved thanks to the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for components such as the bonnet and front wings. Lightweight carpets also save weight, as does reducing the amount of insulation material. The rear window is made of lightweight glass. Lightweight door panels with textile opening loops and nets on the storage compartments complete the quest to eliminate every superfluous gram.
The new fixed rear wing, its swan-neck attachment and aluminum wing supports, are a distinctive element of the exterior design. This highly efficient wing principle is derived from the Porsche 911 RSR GT racing car and was first adopted in a Porsche series production car with the 911 GT3.
In combination with the 30-millimetre-lower ride height compared to the 718 Cayman, the eye-catching vents on the front wheel arches, the aerodynamically optimized underbody paneling with connected rear diffuser, the multi-adjustable front diffuser and the new front spoiler lip with flow-around side blades, in the Performance mode reserved for use on race tracks the GT4 RS generates approximately 25 percent more downforce than the GT4.
Modifications to the chassis also contribute to its greater performance. Ball joints bind the chassis tightly to the body to deliver even more precise and direct handling. The adjustable, circuit-ready chassis has an RS-specific shock absorber set-up, as well as modified spring and anti-roll bar rates.
The optional Weissach package takes the dynamic design of the GT4 RS even further. The front luggage-compartment lid, process air intakes, cooling air intakes, air-box cover, exterior mirror upper trims and rear wing have a carbon-weave finish. The titanium tailpipes look similar to the exhaust system on the Porsche 935.
The fitted roll cage at the rear is also made of titanium. The upper section of the dashboard is upholstered in Race-Tex material and a large Porsche logo is integrated into the rear window. With the Weissach package 20-inch forged magnesium wheels can be ordered at additional cost instead of the 20-inch forged aluminum wheels.
All of these enhancements compared to the 718 Cayman GT4 make the GT4 RS the most uncompromising and sharpest member of the 718 family. This is particularly evident on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
During the final phase of set-up adjustments, Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister lapped the 20.832-kilometre track in 7:09.300 minutes. The GT4 RS conquered the shorter 20.6 km version, which previously served as the benchmark, in 7:04.511 minutes – 23.6 seconds faster than the 718 Cayman GT4.
