Long desired, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS it's finally on its way—probably very quickly…—serving as the pinnacle of Porsche's smallest mid-engine rear coupe.
And given what has already been achieved with the 718 Cayman GT4 — for many, a benchmark — it's to be expected that the RS will further elevate its performance, dynamic and aerodynamic capabilities.
As you would expect, as in the corresponding 911, this RS will put efficiency above everything else, to get the best time possible in the attack on any circuit on the planet.
What to expect?
In the spy-pictures that we bring you as a national exclusive, the surprise comes from seeing not one, but two test prototypes of the future 718 Cayman GT4 RS, which not only reveal differences between the “normal” GT4 and the other Caymans, but also show differences clear to each other.
The most obvious differences refer to the larger aerodynamic apparatus, highlighting the rear wing — much larger — which rests on two new supports that take the “gooseneck” format that we've already seen in the new 911 GT3 and which will also be part of the future 911 GT3 RS, only with XXL dimensions.
The intriguing thing is that each of the test prototypes has different rear wings, which could indicate one of two things. Either Porsche is still testing different aerodynamic/dynamic configurations for the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS, or else we will have two specific GT4 RS configurations, one of which maybe integrated in an optional package.
The prototype with the registration “LB” seems to be the more radical of the two, with the generous wing being suspended under two supports that are thinner than the other prototype (registration “BB”), which may indicate different materials in its composition.
We say that the “LB” is the most radical, despite having the most… elegant wing supports, also for bringing a larger front spoiler — it extends farther forward — which appear to be air intakes (covered ) on the front fender (as on the 911 GT3 RS) and by also bringing center-grip single-nut rims. On the “BB”, we see the well-known five-pin wheels of the GT4.
Also outstanding on both is the absence of the second side window, replaced by an air intake, we assume, for the atmospheric six-cylinder boxer — inherited from the 718 Cayman GT4 and GTS — but, again, it takes on two distinct designs in each one of the prototypes. It remains to be seen if only one of them will be used or if we will also have access to both. And have you noticed that the rear window is completely opaque?
Finally, at the rear, it is also possible to observe differences between the two prototypes. Not only do we have a clearer sense of how much thinner the rear wing struts are on the “LB” than on the “BB”, but the tailpipes also differ from each other.
6 cylinder atmospheric boxer
Motivating the most radical of the 718 Caymans, we'll have the atmospheric six-cylinder opposite GT4's already known. In the latter, the 4.0 l boxer — which has nothing to do with the 911 GT3's identical-capacity unit — produces 420 hp at 7600 rpm and 420 Nm between 5000 rpm and 6800 rpm.
For the 718 Cayman GT4 RS no major increases in power are expected, even so that the new sports car doesn't “step on” the heels of the new 911 GT3 or even the future 911 GT3 RS. Rumors point to values around 450 hp, but nothing is yet certain.
More certain is that the only transmission used is the seven-speed PDK (dual clutch). RS is about efficiency and speed in the loop, and there's no manual in the world that changes gears as fast as a dual-clutch transmission. For fans of the manual gearbox, the GT4 will continue to offer it.
