2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and Spyder Soothe Our Purist Souls
Porsche turns back the clock by blessing this hi-po duo with naturally-aspirated flat-six power and manual transmissions.
Over the last several years, a certain sense of doom has overcome motoring enthusiasts. Automakers have largely moved away from the things that we purists so enjoy in the name of progress. Things like manual transmissions, larger-displacement engines, and natural-aspiration. But we were more than a little pleased (giddy, actually) to learn that Porsche is turning back the clock with its all-new 2020 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder.
Yes, you read that correctly. Not only is Porsche reviving the much-beloved GT4, but they’re also blessing us with a roofless version for open-air exhilaration. And unlike the current 718s, these two new machines have turned back the clock by forgoing four-cylinder engines in favor of a properly Porsche flat-six. Yes, it’s almost like 2015 all over again.
While most of us still lament Porsche’s decision to ditch the flat-six in the 718 Cayman and Boxster in favor of four-cylinder power, they’re still excellent driving machines. Still, there’s no replacing the glorious noises a proper flat-six graces our ears with. Thankfully, Porsche Motorsport feels the same way we do, which is exactly why there was really no choice for the new GT4 and Spyder other than a naturally-aspirated flat-six.
Interestingly enough, however, these car’s 4.0-liter mill is not the same engine you’ll find in the 911 GT3, GT3 RS, or Speedster, despite sharing an identical displacement. Instead, it’s a bored, stroked, and naturally-aspirated version of the 992 911’s 3.0-liter. In this guise, it produces 414 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque, with a lofty 8,000 rpm redline.
It might seem simpler to just stuff the GT3’s engine in the 718. But apparently it would have required a lot more work to make it fit in the mid-engine chassis. Not to mention the fact that it would have been much, much more expensive, and the 718 is supposed to be an entry-level product. It’s certainly hard to argue with the price-to-performance ratio, given the fact that the Cayman GT4 rings in at nearly $45,000 less than the GT3.
For a base price of just over $100k, you certainly get a lot of content. Things like forged internals, a dry sump oiling system, 991.2 GT3 front axle, adaptive dampers, and big brakes. But what you won’t find makes the 718 duo even more enticing in our book. And that’s any sort of automatic transmission. For now, the only option is a proper six-speed manual.
Of course, an auto box would certainly make the GT4 and Spyder faster. And so would the addition of a turbo or two. But quite honestly, ultimate speed isn’t always the answer. For us, the pleasure you derive from a spirited canyon drive or weekend track jaunt means more than simple numbers. And thanks to Porsche, we now have another excellent vessel to experience those simple joys we once took for granted.
Photos: Porsche
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