RDCR

If Porsche's longterm plan is to filter down the new mid engine technology in the 911 racers to the street cars I would think the Cayman would continue to be held back in some fashion.

Beantown Kman

Let's not forget that our "entry level" GT4's brought a lot of new customers into the Porsche community. Hard to believe they will abandon that strategy.

Pokerhobo

I would think Porsche would likely make a GT4RS Manual only to keep it's perf in-line relative to the 911.

konaforever

I don't think they'll abandon the GT4. Just might skip it for 981.2. Like they're skipping the next GT3 RS.

Jimmy-D

The 991.2 GT3 is going to be 500 + ponies. The GT2RS is going to be 650HP. The 991.2 GT3RS isf stays NA will be at least 525 HP and if Turbo probably closer to 600 hp

This is why they can position a GT4RS in the 430-450 range.

If the 991.2 GT3 price goes up $20,000 expect the GT4RS to go up $25,000-$30,000.

I will happily pay $130,000 base for a detuned 4.0 L GT4RS with shorter gearing and 430-450 hp with an 8500 redline. Heck - I think many would.

They will make a Cayman GTS which will be priced where the 981 GT4 was priced and it will be a very good value

GrantG

I definitely wouldn't pay that if GT3 has 50-80hp more and multi-link rear suspension for $7k-$10k more (my hope and best estimate). I also think Porsche has communicated their intention to make RS cars PDK only (best track performance).

stout

Who says it has to be called a "GT4 RS"?

We can step back and see how a confluence of conditions fit together, then maybe we can see how Porsche might choose to go forward. There's also history, which can be (but may not be) useful.

Fwiw, I'd map it out this way:
993 GT road car and race cars (GT2 only, unless GT1 counts)
996-1 GT road car and race cars (new chassis, new model, old engine)
996-2 GT road cars and race cars (RS added)
997-1 GT road cars and race cars ("electronic era" begins)
997-2 GT road cars and race cars (displacement bump x2, GT2 RS debuts)
991-1 GT road cars and race cars (PDK switch, save the R; no GT2)
981-1 GT road car and race cars (back to MT, smash hit)
991-2 GT road cars and race cars (back to MT, possibly as an option; GT2 returns)
982 GT road car(s) and race cars (MT and PDK? plain GT4 only?)
992-1 GT road cars and race cars (turbo across the GT line needed?)
994-1 (?)
984-1 (?)

The 981-1 GT4 reminds me of the 996-1 GT3 in that it's a true beginning, and because it's something of a holdout (996 GT3 = GT1 flat six, 981 GT4 = NA vs turbocharged model lineup). Of course, there are differences, too.

Consider the pricing trend, too, with 996-2 GT3 at $99k and steadily growing to surpass $130k with the 991 GT3 and much more than that for the RS and R. Porsche had no problem selling any of them—and watched speculators descend. Add in the separation difficulties created by 991-2 turbo and 982 turbo torque, and it only gets more interesting. The girls and boys at Weissach are no dummies; maybe they'll do a "GT4R" with PDK only next time, then offer a vanilla GT4 with MT only next time—much like Mercedes does a great looking E-Class then an ugly one, then a great one, then an ugly one.

Model separation for 991-2 and 982 has to be considered, as does Porsche Motorsport's model offerings and customer racing needs/goals. With the GT4 category set to shake things up, the 981-1 GT4 came along at a good time for more than those who got the street car. Porsche has its bases covered...but what about that lucrative GT3 Cup series?

As for 981-1 GT4 resale values, who cares? I doubt the bottom will drop out, and that's all that really matters to me. Anything else that happens is gravy, as the car offers stunning value for money. And so I'd rather add miles than polish. YMMV!

TheGhost

Sounds like the new NA 4.0 is going into the GT4 RS. The one thing that really annoys me, though, is this insistence that Porsche will "massively detune" the 4.0 for GT4 RS. Why detune??!!!! That is incredibly stupid, IMO. Has Porsche ever heard the term "Survival of the fittest"?

GrantG

The 4RS doesn't even exist at this point, but if we're just speculating, the reason for the detuning is at least partly due to marketing and keeping the model hierarchy in order. But maybe part of the reason is that the strut rear suspension is not really able to perform as desired with 500hp?

Yargk

Agreed. I'm not flipping for the new one, whatever it is and whatever the price bump, paying sales tax alone on such a purchase every 2 years is not for me. That's a lot of tires and brakes.

Gibbens

I'm curious, purely speculative...why not the 991.1 3.8 motor with a lower red line?

Seems more likely than a 4.0.

And especially considering the 4.0 is not a guarantee for the 991.2 GT3. Or am I wrong about this?

supercup

No chance GT3 is only $7k - $10k more that 4RS - delta will be $25-$35k - since they sold every GT3, GT3 RS and GT4 they built with more wanting the same - they will push the price across the line.

For all saying what you will pay, all you are doing is helping Porsche set pricing. They look at these forums and if you all say you will pay $130k - $135k for the 4RS - then they will oblige you!

Pricing for a 4RS with 4.0 and PDK will take into consideration performance gap, pdk, a few annual increases for passage of time since 4 came out, GT4 cars sold $10k - $25k over sticker (some portion) and limited availability. When you throw that all in the blender it is hard to see it being less than $120k as a base and $135k is not a stretch.

$87 base + $10k mark up average + $5k for Pdk + $15k for 4.0 + 10% price increase over time $8.6k and you are at $125k

No matter how you look at it - it won't be cheap!

user1029

No need to stress about a detuned engine, get an accessport and retune it

IMOA

I think the most important factor for Porsche is preserving an entry level GT car so there's a ladder from GT4 to GT3 to GT2 so if they need to bump the power because the GTS is getting too quick they'll go the turbo and more boost route rather than a detuned much more expensive motor. And if they do detune it won't be a software detune, it will be cheaper components, a much lower redline etc.

stout

This.

It simply makes more sense to me than the 4.0 rumors I've heard. Even a 991 GT3-based 3.6 (997-1 made 415 hp from 3.6 liters...), to preserve a nice gap to the more expensive GT3—unless Porsche is ready to shake everything about its GT division up, or drop the GT3 after the next one.

As stated before, it's gonna be interesting...