It was only last week that the Porsche Cayman GT4 was being admired by Geneva showgoers and now it's being launched at Portimao. As you might have predicted, it's rather good. But, thankfully, not perfect!
There's been a lot more to discuss on PH this week though. A new AMG Mercedes has been driven, there's more from PHTV and the small matter of a V12 Ferrari test too. See it all here!
But where else to start but the
Cayman GT4
? Having seen it in the metal at Geneva and then pored
over the figures
early in the week, there was nothing left to do but drive it. It didn't disappoint!
Availability will be a big concern for many prospective GT4 buyers, demand for the ultimate Cayman far outweighing supply. However, with another Boxster Spyder confirmed, all is not lost for those who want a track-biased mid-engined Porsche. Will it be as focused as the Cayman? To be announced later in the year!
It says something when a V12 Ferrari test ranks third in comments of the week's reviews. But the PH revisiting of the FF (once more for old time's sake, before the turbos come) attracted fewer comments than both the Porsche and Toyota GT86 Aero. Having said that, most of the comments for the Toyota were pointing out how daft the spoiler was...
Fast estates in any form are always well received on PistonHeads. So it was pleasing to report the
Mercedes CLA45 Shooting Brake
delivers all of the thrills we've come to expect from that family of cars with some added practicality.
But for those who find the Mercedes a little slow, or overly stylised perhaps, this Nissan Stagea is the perfect alternative. Big, boxy and utterly unpretentious, it also features a 500hp RB26 Skyline engine in it. Trips to the dump will never be the same again...
And while it won't be especially fast, a Granada Ghia X estate was a welcome blast from the past early in the week. It was one of many interesting lots at the recent Historics at Brooklands auction.
There's more from the news too. For the rich the first images of the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet emerged, for the very rich there are more details on the McLaren Sports Series and for the obscenely wealthy PH has been comparing the hypercar driving programmes.
Oi VW, where's the replacement?
PHTV
went live this week, with new video from the Mercedes-AMG C63 launch and Mission Motorsport's Goodwood track day. New episodes will be available every Wednesday from now on - stay tuned!
A pair of blogs have prompted a great response this week too. Dan has been contemplating the future of stickers on RS Porsches (nothing but the big issues on PH) and Matt is missing the junior hot hatch.
As for the PH regular features, we've had a new GTI for Shed Of The Week, that GT86 in Pic Of The Week and a Lotus Exige Cup as a Spotted. For those who missed out on a Cayman perhaps.
Another busy few days then, with plenty more packed weeks to follow. There are more Sunday events imminent too, beginning with the PH F1 Wake Up this weekend. See you there!
- Ford Escort RS2000: PH Heroes
- Mercedes C63 AMG buying guide
- Porsche Boxster market watch
- Range Rover Sport SVR driven
- Zenos E10 S on road and track