Introduced in 2016, the Cayman GT4 fulfilled long-standing enthusiast demands for a Cayman capable of rivaling the performance of the 911. It quickly became one of the most focused track cars in Porsche’s lineup. With the arrival of the 718 Cayman platform, the GT4 improved further, gaining a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six and several suspension components from the GT3.
The result was a sharper, more capable machine that pushed close to the territory of the more powerful and expensive 911 GT3. Porsche later elevated the formula with the GT4 RS, giving the mid-engine Cayman the same extreme RS treatment traditionally reserved for the GT3 since the 996 generation.
At the Concours Club in Miami, instructor and Carrera Cup pro driver Yves Baltas explores the limits of the GT4 RS. Power comes from a GT3-derived 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six producing about 493 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque—79 hp and 15 lb-ft more than the standard GT4.
The engine revs to 9,000 rpm and is paired exclusively with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. Performance improves accordingly, with 0–60 mph falling to about 3.2 seconds and top speed reaching nearly 200 mph. Aerodynamics are also enhanced, generating roughly 25% more downforce—thanks in part to the swan-neck rear wing—helping the GT4 RS cut an impressive 23 seconds from the GT4’s Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time.
Source: Chasing Curves
