Six-cylinder boxer, naturally aspirated, six-speed manual gearbox. You don't need to say anything more to be surrendered to the new ones Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder.
The new pair of sports cars from Stuttgart have never been so powerful and so fast, and they've never shared so much between them — mechanics and chassis — as they do now.
The engine is not the same as the 911 GT3
The highlight, of course, resides in the engine and — surprise — despite being a boxer six-cylinder naturally aspirated with 4.0 l capacity, it is not the engine of the 911 GT3, as rumors indicated. It is a 100% new unit, derived from the same engine family as the 911 Carrera, not the engine family used in the 911 GT and Cup.
However, the numbers do not disappoint. The new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder charge 420 hp at 7600 rpm and 420 Nm between 5000 rpm and 6800 rpm , increments of 35 hp and 45 hp, respectively, compared to the predecessors Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder.
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The new 4.0 boxer six-cylinder only has a limiter at 8000 rpm, and although it stands out for its loudness, linearity of delivery and instant response, it hasn't forgotten about efficiency, or emission standards — a particulate filter is present, and in partial load, can “turn off” one of the cylinder banks.
With direct injection, it is also the first engine capable of high revs using piezo injectors, the crankcase is of the dry type, and has a variable intake system.
Coupled to the boxer is a manual six-speed manual gearbox, capable of throwing 1420 kg (DIN) from both 718 to to 100 km/h in just 4.4s, up to 160 km/h in 9.0s and up to 200 km/h in 13.8s . They only differ in top speed, with the 718 Cayman GT4 reaching 304 km/h and the 718 Spyder reaching 301 km/h.
More downforce without affecting drag
The revised aerodynamics of the 718 Cayman GT4 allowed it to significantly increase its efficiency by achieving increase downforce value by 50% , without, however, harming drag — aerodynamic drag.
Contributing to this superior aerodynamic efficiency is a new rear diffuser — alone it accounts for about 30% of the total downforce value — and a new rear wing that generates 20% more downforce over its predecessor — 12 kg additional at 200 km/h —; at the front, contributing to aerodynamic balance, we see a new and bigger spoiler and also the presence of “air curtains” or air curtains, which optimize the air flow that passes through the front wheels.
The 718 Spyder is distinguished by the absence of the coupe's rear wing, but features a retractable wing that rises from 120 km/h — however, it is the first Spyder capable of generating downforce on the rear axle.
ready for circuits
For the first time, the 718 Spyder benefits from the same chassis as the 718 Cayman GT4 — and what chassis…
The use of ball joints on both axles offers a more rigid and direct connection between chassis and body, increasing dynamic precision. Standard equipped with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), the ground clearance is reduced by 30 mm, and comes with PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring), or torque vectoring, with a mechanical locking differential.
To stop the pair of sports cars, they come equipped with perforated and ventilated discs measuring 380 mm in diameter, with monobloc aluminum calipers with six pistons at the front and four pistons at the rear.
Those looking for more performance from the braking system can opt for carbon-ceramic (PCCB) discs, which are still larger — 410 mm at the front and 390 mm at the rear — but lighter by around 50% compared to steel.
Both are also equipped with Porsche-spec high-performance tires — 245/35 ZR 20 at 8.5 J x 20 at the front and 295/30 ZR 20 at 11 J x 20 at the rear — and in the end, it all, be the more power, more efficient aerodynamics, or a capable chassis, result in more than 10″ faster time in “green hell” for the 718 Cayman GT4 relative to its predecessor.
For more sharpness on the circuit, the 718 Cayman GT4 offers the Clubsport Package as an option which adds a roll cage (painted black and bolted to the bodywork behind the front seats), a six-point driver's belt — with two versions of the seat belts shoulder strap, one of them compatible with the HANS system — a fire extinguisher, pre-installation for the Lap Trigger (measures lap times).
When arrive?
They have arrived, or better yet, they are available for ordering. Prices for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 start at 135 730 euros and for the 718 Spyder start at 132 778 euros.