Porsche Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder unveiled
Both 718 models receive a 420hp naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six...
It's fair to say the 718 generation of Cayman and Boxster hasn't garnered the unanimous enthusiasm that marked out its predecessor's life cycle. The 981, particularly in its latter guises, was treated like a thing of wonder - and while its replacement was very good, too, it has always been rather limited by how much you deigned to like its all-new flat-four engine. Some people didn't at all - and that rather did it for the Cayman/Boxster's previously untouchable reputation as the all-court rear-drive sports car to buy.
Launching a GT4 and Spyder version of the 718 isn't necessarily going to fix that - because you'll be extremely lucky to get your hands on one for their respective £75,348 and 73,405 starting prices - but official confirmation that a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six sits at the heart of both models is likely to ensure a near reverential response from Porsche's substantial and big-spending fan base.
Of course we already knew a larger engine was inbound; now though we know that it will output 420hp in both 718 models (35hp more than the previous GT4; 45hp more than the Spyder) and develop 310lb ft of torque from 5,000rpm. The 718's own 4.0-litre unit - a bored-out derivative of the current 911 engine, shorn of its turbocharger and dubbed 9A2 Evo - boasts a new adaptive cylinder control system and Piezo injectors, alongside a variable intake system.
Porsche says the maximum engine speed in this guise is 8,000rpm - lower than the 9,000rpm the latest 911 Speedster revs to with the updated GT3 motor - but with the six-speed manual gearbox all present and correct and a 4.4-second 0-62mph time in the offing, buyers are unlikely to grumble too much at the deficit - not with its maker promising an "untouched" flat-six sound.
Elsewhere it will likely be Spyder buyers in higher spirits. For all the praise justly heaped on the 981 variant, the previous model was not strictly speaking a product of Porsche Motorsport and therefore did not share the GT4-specific chassis. Now though, the "superior cornering dynamics" of the coupe have migrated to the Spyder, meaning it gets the same "motorsport-bred" refinements to the 981's suspension, including a 30mm reduction in ride height alongside Porsche's torque vectoring mechanical limited slip rear differential and "ultra-high performance" tyres.
It also gets a new functional diffuser at the back, which is said to account for 30 per cent of the GT4's rear-end downforce - although inevitably it is the coupe which boasts a more comprehensive aerodynamic suite. A remodelled fixed wing produces 20 per cent more downforce than before, helping to contribute a 50 per cent improvement overall without 'adversely' affecting drag. A larger front spoiler lip and air curtains to the side complete's the 'GT' look.
The Spyder makes do with a conventional rear spoiler which pops up automatically at 74mph, although Porsche cites the new diffuser when it describes the car is the first in the Boxster lineup to generate significant downforce over the back axle. Of slightly greater relevance to its buyers will be confirmation that a lightweight fabric roof returns, which can be stowed up under the boot lid in "just a few steps".
GT4 customers will know what to expect from the coupe, and Porsche makes no bones about the model's, "sharper handling characteristics" or the fact that its chassis has been revised "for use on the race track". To that end - as with the GT3 - a Clubsport package will again be available, and will include a rear steel roll cage, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point harness for the driver.
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are also on the option list if heavy-duty circuit work is on the cards, although the standard system has been uprated, regardless. No word yet on exactly how much weight those new brakes are bringing to a halt, but its maker claims that the GT4 is more than ten seconds faster than its predecessor around the Nordschieife. That seems consistent with the power upgrade - now we just have to wait and see if it's subjectively better, too. Place your bets.
Inspired? Search for a Cayman GT4 here or a Boxster Spyder here
1. Tongue not brown enough
2. I don’t buy multiple Porsvhes a year because I’m a normal person
3. I’m not prepared to pay the prices the flippers charge
I am finding all the hype about fast Porsche’s pointless and irrelevant for the above reasons.
Plus , it must be bloody heavy because 0-60 in 4.4 for 420bhp isn’t great, Alpine do it with 300bhp and Lotus get the Evora 410 to 60mph in 3.9 with 410bhp.
Its around £75k basic. You will need to add around £4k for infotainment, £3k for bucket seats, £2k for air con, £2k for leather dash & deviated stitching and another £2k in bits and bobs to get a good spec which would be saleable / desirable in the future. So its an £88k car.
A used 981 Spyder is around £15k cheaper for a well specced car with identical performance and appearance. Unless the new cars is considerably better than the 981 versions in road tests I can't see the popularity / values of the 981 diminishing and if I was offered one I would have to think very carefully about changing from my 981 Spyder to a 718 (I doubt I will get the chance anyway). The additional 100+kilos is a the biggest downside from my point of view. That's 1.5 people and you will feel that on the road and track. I am also not keen on the stiffer front end I don't think its required in a Spyder which is more of a fast touring / road car than track car, even though I can confirm they are amazing on track after 3 hours tracking Porsches own Spyder round their Silverstone experience centre yesterday.
1. Tongue not brown enough
2. I don’t buy multiple Porsvhes a year because I’m a normal person
3. I’m not prepared to pay the prices the flippers charge
I am finding all the hype about fast Porsche’s pointless and irrelevant for the above reasons.
Plus , it must be bloody heavy because 0-60 in 4.4 for 420bhp isn’t great, Alpine do it with 300bhp and Lotus get the Evora 410 to 60mph in 3.9 with 410bhp.
But yes, I may have expected a little faster but to compare it with cars with "better" gearboxes seems a bit, erm, unfair?
No doubt an epic car again. Hope the gearing on this one is great out of the box.
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