Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS debuts with GT4 RS Clubsport

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Another delicious recipe from GT division master chef Andreas Preuninger.

The first-ever Cayman GT4 RS that lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:09.300 minutes last month, has made its official debut along with the track-ready Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. Both cars will be on display at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. The road car carries a starting price of €141,338 in Germany (including 19% VAT). Check out more photos here.

The prototype we saw last month didn’t leave much to the imagination, however, it lacked some contrast. And so, this one shows its aero elements in a much better way. The fixed rear wing with swan-neck attachments is, of course, derived from that of the new 911 GT3—which in turn was derived from the 911 RSR GT racing car. Also, notice that the small side windows behind the driver and passenger windows are replaced with process air intakes. The front-end features a multi-adjustable diffuser and a spoiler lip with flow-around side blades. In the track mode, the GT4 RS is claimed to generate approximately 25% more downforce than the GT4.

As for weight saving measures, the bonnet and front wings are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Lightweight carpets also save weight, as does reducing the amount of insulation material. The rear windscreen is made of lightweight glass. Lightweight door panels with textile opening loops and nets on the storage compartments complete the quest to eliminate every superfluous gram. And as a result, the Cayman GT4 RS is claimed to weigh 1,415 kg (3,120 lbs) with a full fuel tank but without a driver as defined by the DIN standard, which is 35 kg (77 lbs) less than a PDK-equipped 718 GT4.

As for chassis modifications, ball joints are claimed to bind the chassis tightly to the body to deliver even more precise and direct handling. The Cayman GT4 RS also boasts RS-specific shock absorber set-up, as well as modified spring and anti-roll bar rates. The RS rides 30 mm lower compared with the regular Cayman.

The optional Weissach package gets you the front luggage compartment lid, process air intakes (behind side windows), cooling air intakes, airbox cover, exterior mirror upper inserts and rear wing with a carbon-weave finish; titanium tailpipes, titanium roll cage, and upper section of the dashboard upholstered in Race-Tex material. With the Weissach package, 20-inch forged magnesium wheels can be ordered at an additional cost instead of the 20-inch forged aluminium wheels.

Moving on to the juicy bits of the story, the Cayman GT4 RS borrows the 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six engine from none other than the new 911 GT3—which in turn borrowed it from the 911 GT3 Cup car. The engine revs up to 9,000 rpm. Here, it pumps out 368 kW (500 metric hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque—only 10 metric hp and 20 Nm less than the 911 GT3. Transmission is a 7-speed PDK. Porsche claims a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 3.4 seconds (GT4 with PDK: 3.9 seconds) and a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph) (GT4 with PDK: 302 km/h).

718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport

The racing version also made its debut along with the road version with the same powerplant borrowed from the 911 GT3 Cup car. While the maximum power of 500 metric hp is the same, the torque is up by 15 Nm to 465 Nm (343 lb-ft)—developed at 6,000 rpm. Compared with the previous gen Cayman GT4 Clubsport, those figures are significantly higher. The 7-speed PDK here now uses all 7 gears.

In addition to adjustable sword-type anti-roll bars, the ride height, camber and toe are also adjustable. Furthermore, three different spring rates for front and rear axle are available. Special NACA ducts on the bonnet try and cool down the large, 380 mm front steel brake discs. The track-tuned Porsche Stability Management System (PSM) includes a switch for traction control and ABS.

Welded-in roll cage, fore and aft adjustable Recaro racing seat, 2023-compliant six-point racing harnesses, a fire extinguisher, built-in air jack system with three jacks, new safety foam on the driver’s side that meets the requirements of the SRO racing series, and FT3 safety fuel cell that can take up to 115 litres of fuel, are some of the other key highlights of the race-ready 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.