Revealed: Porsche Cayman GT4

Porsche has revealed its latest road racer - the new 283kW Cayman GT4.

Developed by Porsche Motorsport – the same division responsible for the German car maker's Le Mans 919 Hybrid sportscar, the stripped out two seat mid-engined coupe is planned to make its public debut at the Geneva motor show with the aim of providing customers with a race track orientated alternative to the more powerful 911 GT3.  

Positioned above the existing Cayman GTS, the Cayman GT4 adopts a reworked version of the 911 Carrera S's 3.8-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, a stiffened steel bodyshell and a chassis imbued with a number of key weight saving components from the 911 GT3.

"We didn't make this out of a Cayman GTS," says Andreas Pruninger, head of Porsche's GT race car program of the new model, adding, "this is an entry level mid-engined GT3 car", in reference to the Cayman GT4's motorsport genes.   

Power is provided by a reworked version of the 911 Carrera S's 3.8-litre flat-six engine delivering 283kW at 7400rpm and 420Nm of torque between on a band of revs between 4750 and 6000rpm.

Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox. A seven-speed dual clutch unit like that used by the latest 911 GT3 was considered but ultimately rejected, meaning the Cayman GT4 is the sole manual-only model sold by Porsche right now.

Porsche claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.4sec and 295km/h top speed, beating the Cayman GTS by a respective 0.5sec and 10km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption is put at 10.3L/100km for a CO2 figure of 238g/km.

Preuninger indicates the 911 Carrera S engine didn't fit into the Cayman GT4 at first, and says it required some changes before it did. The result is what he describes as an "old school hot road – a big engine in a small car". "It's a whole new package – very driveable, an explosive experience that makes you smile all the time," he adds.

Underpinning the range topping Cayman model is a largely unique chassis that uses the same front axle assembly and suspension as the 911 GT3 and a heavily reworked forged aluminium double wishbone rear suspension. The GT4 also uses the same electric steering system from the 911 GT3, but with new software.

There's no need for the likes of the 911 GT3's rear-wheel steering making it onto the Cayman GT4, because as mid-engined car, Preuninger says it simply doesn't need it. The end result is a car capable of lapping the notoriously demanding Nurburgring circuit in just 7min40sec.

Reining in the new Porsche's potent performance are standard steel disc brake, or optional carbon ceramic discs from the 911 GT3, which Preuninger describes as "slightly over engineered and delightfully oversized" when fitted to the Cayman GT4.

The forged 20in alloy wheels are new, and are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. The rear 295/30 ZR20 tyres are bespoke, the front 245/35 ZR20s are borrowed from the 911 GT3 as they were "a perfect match", according to Preuninger.

The exterior design is a case of form following function, says Preuninger. The goal was to create a "zero lift car", but an extensive aerodynamic and cooling package on the car – which includes a front splitter, a larger front grille and increased frontal air intakes, side air intakes, two rear spoilers and a fully functional diffuser – the Cayman GT4 produces as much downforce at speed (100kg) as the 911 GT3.