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Archive for the ‘Porsche Cayman’ Category

The 2020 Toyota Supra made its highly anticipated debut at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. While some were anxious to meet the BMW-based coupe, most die-hard enthusiasts weren’t pleased that the successor to the iconic fourth-gen Supra doesn’t have pure Japanese engineering. Now that all the commotion is over, it’s time to see how the Supra compares to its rivals. Now that the coupe is smaller, it’s well-suited to take on the Porsche 718 Cayman. Let’s find out if it stands a chance.

Although the latest mid-engined Porsche 718 cars debuted only with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the secret work on the 718 Cayman GT4 with an N/A engine was going strong somewhere in the bowels of the Stuttgart car giant. The first, track-focused and NOT road-going 718 Cayman GT4, dubbed the Clubsport, only recently released the howl of its 3.8-liter N/A engine to the world.

And it is an epic moment.

We got ourselves a first look at the one of the most stunning racing cars that ever were. In two guises – the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Trackday for amateur racers, and the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Competition for pros.

Both of them adopted the glorious racing pedigree of the Porsche 911 GT3 cars and basically took over some of its technology. Then, Porsche gifted them with a whole set of additions that considerably changed their nature compared with to the standard 718 Cayman. Finally, the718 GT4 Clubsportgives us a glimpse into what the real, road-going 718 Cayman GT4 will be like. Yup, it’s coming. Probably not with the naturally aspirated six-cylinder, though. Disappointed?

Now, I will sink deep into the intricacies of the latest 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport and reveal some facts you probably did not know at all.

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is a track-only version of the 718 Cayman developed for customer use. It replaces GT4 Clubsport that Porsche introduced in 2015 and represents a notable update over the outgoing model. Unlike its predecessor, it’s offered in two distinct versions: Trackday and Competition. The GT4 Clubsport Trackday was built specifically for amateur racing drivers that like to spend weekends at the race track without participating in FIA events. The Competition model features a more complex suspension system, and it’s a direct replacement for the old GT4 Clubsport, as it is eligible for GT4-spec competitions in Europe, North America, and Asia. According to Porsche, the new race car features improved driveability, and it’s capable of quicker lap times.

Porsche’s new Cayman GT4 Clubsport comes with the same 3.8-liter boxer engine that’s capable of 425 horsepower thanks to a new intake manifold and a six-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. All of which, by the way, is hidden underneath an aluminum body that’s strikingly similar to the 2015 model, save for a bigger rear wing and a more aggressive splitter up front. Two versions will be available: a track day one and another that’s suited for full-blown competition.

The GT4 category in circuit racing has been burgeoning in the past few years. A decade ago, puny BMW Z4s, Nissan 350Zs or other sports cars with a virtually showroom-stock appearance to them romped away in this category. Now, however, things are vastly different. Huge automakers have put their money where their mouths were and invested in highly-advanced racing cars to race in this revamped category that, while still a step below GT3, is very serious indeed but still friendly enough to cater for gentleman drivers.

A no-nonsense, old-school take on the modern Porsche 911, the Carrera T has been a big hit with enthusiasts. Porsche is now building on the momentum with T-badged versions of the 718 Boxster and Cayman.

While most automakers these days are occupied with searching for new methods of extracting more and more power from their sports coupes, Porsche seems more concerned with something even more elusive – lower weight. As such, the German automaker has given birth to a string of lightness-adding model variants, including the likes of the 911 Carrera T. Now, Porsche is applying a similar performance philosophy to the Cayman. Like its 911 big brother, this fresh two-door takes the name “T” and offer a more driver-focused experience thanks to slightly less heft, a variety of standard performance equipment, and a few new aesthetic upgrades.

After the 911 T, the Cayman T will be going under the knife. Well, not for the looks, but for weight. Reportedly, the 2019 Cayman T will be losing 44 pounds and gaining ten horses to become a faster car. These chops have happened to give the car a more focused driving experience.

Having the engine in the middle or as close to the center of the car as possible is deemed ideal in order to have even weight distribution between the two axles. But over the years, the configuration has mostly been reserved for expensive exotics unattainable by only the wealthiest enthusiasts. That’s why cheaper cars that have adopted the configuration have always stood out and usually attract some manner of cult following.

This article focuses on midship cars which you can buy right now without having to factor in the sale of an organ or anything involving a Ponzi scheme and wearing a fake mustache. Rest assured you can get attainable mid-engined kicks these days in the cars posted after the jump (in ascending price order), but don’t go thinking they’re cheap; they’re not.

Man, I can’t remember the last time I was as stoked about a rally car as I am about this one. Ever since the rally scene migrated from awesome sedans (Lancer Evo, WRX, or that magnificent Skoda Octavia), I was a bit disappointed watching small city cars tackling the courses. They are supremely fast, granted, but lack the drama, or the seriousness of the larger machines. Or sports cars. And that is where the newest Porsche Motorsport Rally concept comes into play. This is the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Rallye Concept. A mouthful isn’t it. Well, after I saw it the first thing I thought about was the 959 Dakar Porsche from the Eighties. It was sublime and, while the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport Rallye isn’t a 918 Rallye, I feel happy to have an opportunity to see it at all.

There is nothing that Porsche engineers can’t do. Case in point: the Cayman GT4 Clubsport Rally Concept. The new machinery is a turnkey, track-spec race car that traces its roots to the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport. It looks different than the GT4 Clubsport, in large part because it was designed specifically for rally racing use. More importantly, the concept will be in attendance at Rallye Deutschland later this month and will serve as a course car for Romain Dumas, the same man who now holds the time attack record at Pikes Peak with the Volkswagen I.D. R electric rally car.

There is nothing that Porsche engineers can’t do. Case in point: the Cayman GT4 Clubsport Rally Concept. The new machinery is a turnkey, track-spec race car that traces its roots to the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport. It looks different than the GT4 Clubsport, in large part because it was designed specifically for rally racing use. More importantly, the concept will be in attendance at Rallye Deutschland later this month and will serve as a course car for Romain Dumas, the same man who now holds the time attack record at Pikes Peak with the Volkswagen I.D. R electric rally car.

With the fourth-generation of the 718 Cayman coming to life in 2016 it didn’t take long for Porsche to pump out the Cayman GTS with a little extra power, nicer materials, some blacked out trim, and more features as standard equipment. It’s a car that looks fabulous in the garage and it can look fabulous on your desktop as well. So, check out our hand-picked wallpapers below and download one of five — the choice is yours.

The new 2019 Porsche Cayman GT4 is on the way, and by all accounts, it’ll once again offer buyers an utterly untainted driving experience and faultless Stuttgart engineering. The up-and-coming performance machine was recently spied testing at the Nürburgring, and our carparazzi was on the scene to capture the coupe in full HD video as it attacked the fearsome race track.

Continue reading for the full story.

The new 2019 Porsche Cayman GT4 is on the way, and by all accounts, it’ll once again offer buyers an utterly untainted driving experience and faultless Stuttgart engineering. The up-and-coming performance machine was recently spied testing at the Nürburgring, and our carparazzi was on the scene to capture the coupe in full HD video as it attacked the fearsome race track.

Continue reading for the full story.

Word was that the Cayman GT4 would be powered by a turbocharged engine, but just recently we reported that it would, in fact, have a naturally aspirated flat-six. Now we have clear-cut proof, as the GT4 was just caught testing at Monza without a hint of turbo spool, turbo whistle, or wastegate blow off. And, despite some minor driver errors, it seems like it was handling pretty damn well on the track too. And, that exhaust note? Amazing. Expect to see the Cayman GT4 debut sometime in mid-2019, if not sooner.

Word was that the Cayman GT4 would be powered by a turbocharged engine, but just recently we reported that it would, in fact, have a naturally aspirated flat-six. Now we have clear-cut proof, as the GT4 was just caught testing at Monza without a hint of turbo spool, turbo whistle, or wastegate blow off. And, despite some minor driver errors, it seems like it was handling pretty damn well on the track too. And, that exhaust note? Amazing. Expect to see the Cayman GT4 debut sometime in mid-2019, if not sooner.

With the fourth-generation of the 718 Cayman coming to life in 2016 it didn’t take long for Porsche to pump out the Cayman GTS with a little extra power, nicer materials, some blacked out trim, and more features as standard equipment. It’s a car that looks fabulous in the garage and it can look fabulous on your desktop as well. So, check out our hand-picked wallpapers below and download one of five — the choice is yours.

BMW just unveiled the M2 Competition, a significant upgrade to the already familiar M2. Sporting exclusive features inside and out and a turbocharged engine borrowed from the M4, the M2 Competition is a big step forward for the nameplate on the performance ladder and may open the door to a more track-prepped version in the future. With more than 400 horsepower at its disposal, the M2 Competition seems ready to take on the heavyweights of the performance market, starting with the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS. Does it have what it takes to go against Stuttgart’s mid-engined sports car? Let’s find out in the comparison below.

Continue reading for the full story.

BMW just unveiled the M2 Competition, a significant upgrade to the already familiar M2. Sporting exclusive features inside and out and a turbocharged engine borrowed from the M4, the M2 Competition is a big step forward for the nameplate on the performance ladder and may open the door to a more track-prepped version in the future. With more than 400 horsepower at its disposal, the M2 Competition seems ready to take on the heavyweights of the performance market, starting with the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS. Does it have what it takes to go against Stuttgart’s mid-engined sports car? Let’s find out in the comparison below.

Continue reading for the full story.

Porsche has done as good a job as any automaker in adapting to the times while still keeping its brand identity intact. A good example of that is the upcoming, high-performance plug-in hybrid version of the Porsche 911. We already know that the model is going to happen, but just because the 911 will be offered as a plug-in hybrid, that doesn’t mean Porsche is ready to take it a step further and offer an all-electric version of its most iconic nameplate. A Porsche 911 EV is not happening, though if you cross fingers, an all-electric powertrain could make it eventually find its way to the 718 twins.