Tuesday, February 3, 2015
By Damon Lowney Photos courtesy Porsche





Porsche announced the new Porsche Cayman GT4 today, a 385-horsepower, six-speed manual, mid-engined sports car that has clocked a 7-minute and 40-second lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For the record, that’s five more horsepower than the 2004 911 GT3, the same Nordschleife lap time as the 2011 911 GT3, and just eight seconds slower around the track than a 605-hp Carrera GT.

The 3.8-liter flat six basically is a detuned 911 Carrera S engine. But despite having 15 less horsepower than the 911, the Cayman GT4 blasts from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds — 0.1 seconds quicker. Porsche has answered many sports car enthusiasts’ prayers by making the GT4 available only with a manual transmission. The six-speed is attached to the chassis with dynamic gearbox mounts that work to quell movement produced by torque from the drivetrain. This helps the driver to put the power down more effectively. The GT4’s 55-hp advantage over the Cayman GTS allows it to go six mph faster, topping out at 183 — this despite an aero package designed for more downforce.

The front end gets a new fascia with three prominent, unobstructed air-inlet openings and a more pronounced lip spoiler. To balance off the aero package, Porsche fitted a large rear spoiler. The Cayman GT4 is lowered by 30 millimeters and comes standard with iron disc brakes. Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes (PCCB) are optional. It rides on five-lug wheels that lend themselves better to many track-day enthusiasts than the center-lock wheels standard on the 911 GT3 (it takes much effort to loosen the center bolts with the giant breaker-bar).

“The interior of the Cayman GT4 focuses on maximizing the experience of unfiltered driving enjoyment for both driver and passenger,” Porsche states. To that end, leather and Alcantara sport seats are standard with full buckets in carbon fiber available as an option. A compact Alcantara-wrapped sport steering wheel rounds out the standard fare. As an option, Porsche will fit a “custom” Sport Chrono Package that features a Track Precision app.

The GT4 will make its first official public appearance at the Geneva International Motor Show in early March. US dealerships will start receiving shipments of Porsche’s newest sports car in July. Its starting price is $84,600, not including the $995 destination fee.

Source: Porsche