Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport - official!

LA debut for race version of a certain, much discussed Cayman variant

Before you ask, no, it's not road legal. As previously discussed, this is a proper racing car, sold by Porsche Motorsport in Weissach and seeking homolgation approval for use in events like the VLN (and, by extension, Nurburgring 24-hour), Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, Ultra 94 GT3 Cup Challenge Canada and the like.

Gifting the Cayman GT4 some genuine 'derived from motorsport' credibility was probably not entirely necessary given they've not exactly struggled to shift them as-is but it can't do any harm to the car's already stellar reputation. Or the smugness levels of those who secured one.

Ooh, get you, showing a bit of sidewall...

Turning it into a race car hasn't seemed to require a huge amount of work either, the Clubsport getting front suspension struts and additional rear components from the 911 GT3 Cup car, 12-step adjustable ABS for the 380mm steel-rotored brakes, full welded in cage, a racing seat and harness and choice of 70-, 90- or 100-litre tanks according to need. Some quirks of making the GT4 into a racing car include ditching the signature manual gearbox in favour of a six-speed PDK transmission and running a bit of sidewall on the 18-inch, Michelin shod five-stud wheels.

Power remains as per the road car at 385hp from the 3.8-litre (pre turbo) Carrera S flat-six, Porsche claiming a weight of 1,300kg without detailing if this is dry or with fluids. For reference the road car's DIN kerbweight without driver is 1,340kg so for all the suggestion of race-honed athletiticism it's no flyweight. Cost? 111,000 euros, plus VAT. Time will tell whether or not the GT4 makes for a competitive race package but you have to doubt Porsche would have bothered if it couldn't compete as such. And even if it isn't it looks a bucket load of fun.