New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS at the Los Angeles Auto Show

With a power of 500 hp (368 kW), powered by a high-revving mid-engine and curb weight of 1,415 kg, it's time to redefine driving pleasure: The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is the new flagship of the 718 family. An uncompromising driver's machine with an impressive lightweight design. , remarkable maneuverability, improved aerodynamics and a distinctive soundtrack. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS is the king of mid-engined compact cars, whether you're driving on tight, winding mountain roads or on a closed race track. Its lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is over 23 seconds shorter than the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Designed for maximum driving pleasure, the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine known from the 911 GT3 Cup racing and 911 GT3 series is the key element of the new sports car. The unit "unwinds" up to 9000 rpm. Compared to the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS develops an additional 80 hp. (59 kW), which corresponds to a mass / power ratio of 2.83 kg / hp. The maximum torque has been increased from 430 to 450 Nm.

The new 718 top-of-the-range variant features air intakes behind the driver and passenger windows. The 718 Cayman traditionally has small side windows here. The new air vents improve the intake airflow and at the same time create immersive sound right next to travelers' ears. The designers retained the characteristic air intakes in front of the rear wheels to cool the engine.

Like every current Porsche in the RS family, the new 718 GT4 RS is only available with Porsche's 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (PDK). The gearbox shifts gears instantly and guarantees maximum performance. Thanks to the paddles, the driver can shift gears manually without taking his hands off the steering wheel. Alternatively, a redesigned gear lever on the center console is available.

The sporty short ratio PDK transmission forms the basis for the incredible acceleration of the new mid-engined sports car. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds (GT4 with PDK: 3.9 seconds) and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h (GT4 with PDK: 302 km/h); then he uses seventh gear.

Typical of the Porsche RS family, the architecture of the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS is defined by a lightweight strategy. The double car weighs only 1415 kg - with a full fuel tank and without a driver, according to the DIN standard. This is 35 kg less than the 718 GT4 with PDK. The vehicle's weight has been reduced by using carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components such as the hood and front fenders. Weight has also been reduced by using lightweight carpets and reducing the amount of insulation material. In addition, the rear window is made of lightweight glass. The desire to eliminate every extra gram is demonstrated by lightweight door panels with fabric hinges for opening and mesh storage compartments.

From the outside, a new fixed rear wing with flex-strut mounts and aluminum struts catches the eye. Its high-performance design is derived from the racing Porsche 911 RSR and was recently used for the first time in a Porsche production car, the new 911 GT3. In Performance mode, reserved for use on the race track, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS generates approximately 25% more downforce than the GT4 variant, which is also associated with a 30mm lower ride height (compared to the 718 Cayman) and attractive front air vents, wheel arches, an aerodynamically optimized skid plate with a rear diffuser, a front diffuser with multiple levels of adjustment and a new front spoiler with streamlined side vanes.

The higher performance of the car is also due to the modification of the chassis. It uses ball joints to tie the chassis tightly to the body for even more precise and direct handling. The adjustable, track-ready chassis features RS-specific shock configurations and revised spring and stabilizer settings.

The dynamic design of the GT4 RS is complemented by the optional Weissach package. The front lid, process air intakes, cooling air intakes, intake module cover, side mirror caps and rear spoiler have carbon fiber trim, while titanium exhaust tips are reminiscent of those of the Porsche 935. made from titanium. The package also includes an upper part of the dashboard covered in Race-Tex fabric and a large Porsche logo on the rear window. In addition, as part of the Weissach package, instead of 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, 20-inch forged magnesium alloy wheels can be ordered at an additional cost.

All of these improvements over the 718 Cayman GT4 make the GT4 RS the most uncompromising and edgy member of the 718 family. This is especially evident in Nürburgring's Nordschleife lap times. In the final tuning phase of the car, Porsche brand spokesman Jörg Bergmeister covered the 20,832-metre track in 7:09,300 minutes. A shorter version of the 20.6-kilometer loop that previously served as the benchmark, the GT4 RS ran in 7:04.511 minutes - 23.6 seconds faster than the 718 Cayman GT4.

Exclusively for buyers of the new car, Porsche Design has created a unique Porsche Design Chronograph 718 Cayman GT4 RS that is as dynamic as its four-wheel counterpart. As with it, the watch adopts the concept of lightweight construction, which is the result of the use of durable high-tech titanium. Its rotor resembles the rim of a car and can also be painted in a variety of colors.

The world premiere of the new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS took place at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The car can be ordered at a price of 731 thousand USD. (4 c.u. = 1 USD). c.u. (4 c.u. = 1 USD) with VAT. Deliveries will begin in December 2021. In addition, the GT4 RS is available with an optional Weissach package that further improves its aerodynamics. Also debuting in Los Angeles is the racing version of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, which will appear in select national and international racing series from 2022.

Photo: Porsche