Porsche shows all-electric Cayman GT4 ePerformance
Want to know what a zero-emission Cayman will look like? Porsche drops its first hint with 1000hp racing test bed
We’ve already written about the Porsche Misson R concept, which is the firm’s vision for an all-electric customer motorsports vehicle using "state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable materials... with a passion for racing." Well, the concept has become part-reality in the form of the Porsche Cayman GT4 ePerformance. This mobile test bed is being used to evaluate the concept car’s potential for national and international GT racing.
The GT4 ePerformance is underpinned by a development of the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport’s chassis. It ditches flat-six petrol power for an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain ‘consisting of a permanently excited synchronous machine’ or (PESM) – as always, Porsche is never one to shy away from acronyms. The PESM, delivers a total peak power output of - wait for it - 1,088hp. Even with all-wheel drive, that ought to give the drivers something to think about on a wet weekend. That power output is for qualifying spec, though. For a race it will be reduced to 612hp (Pah! A mere 612hp) that will be available for 30 minutes – the duration of a Carrera Cup race. According to Porsche, the top speed (around 186mph) and lap times of the GT4 ePerformance will be similar to a 992 GT3 Cup car.
To keep the car’s race performance consistent, Porsche has developed its own oil cooling for the motors and battery pack. According to Björn Förster, the GT4 ePerformance project manager, this “has significantly impacted the vehicle concept.” He added “With experts in the fields of aerodynamics and thermodynamics as well as high-voltage and bodywork specialists, the development team created an architecture to tap the full potential of the battery cells for the first time, since there is no thermal derating. In this way, the power output in racing mode remains constant for half an hour.” The charging system runs at 900 volts, so the GT4 ePerformance can be boosted from 5 to 80 per cent in around 15 minutes.
As we said, the chassis concept is based on a 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport but it is 14cm wider thanks to its exaggerated arches, which are there to accommodate wider 18-inch Michelin racing rubber. The car also contains in the region of 6,000 unique parts and more sustainable materials – the bodywork, for example, includes natural fibre composites that generate fewer emissions during production than the equivalent synthetic composites.
The GT4 ePerformance will have its first public outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year (that runs from June 23 to 26 in case you fancy booking tickets). Its next demo will be at the Porsche factory in Leipzig and then it’ll embark on a world tour. In line with the ‘race2zero’ project it won’t be flown anywhere – its destinations, which will include North America and Asia, will be reached by ship, train and truck.
Oliver Schwab, Project Manager Sales, says, “The 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance blazes a trail to Porsche customer racing with electrically-powered racing cars. As a first step, we will unveil this concept to our global partners. With drivers, teams, organisers, authorities and other interested parties, we’re also gathering ideas for Porsche racing formats in the future.”
What extra weight would a lightweight interior and some more real world range add?
In fact if being used for spirited weekend driving instead of race pace what might the range be?
I'll take a gorgeous flat six any day with a fraction of the power.
What extra weight would a lightweight interior and some more real world range add?
In fact if being used for spirited weekend driving instead of race pace what might the range be?
I imagine in the real world this thing could manage about 100 - 150 miles of reasonably spirited road driving. 15 minutes to charge from 5% - 85% is the kicker here. If and when the charging infrastructure can support that you could have a good blast around inbetween brief coffee stops. Despite the name this is hardly ever going to be a GT car.
I'll take a gorgeous flat six any day with a fraction of the power.
I'll take a gorgeous flat six any day with a fraction of the power.
I had a drive last year in a friends early Boxster 986 2.5 with small wheels.
What a perfectly willing and able sports car for the road.
GT/ enduro races aren't 30 minutes long and a pitstop isn't currently 15 minutes either.
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Left home with 100% charge and had to do 2 ~45minute charges during the day to complete the trip - ending at home with tiny bit of range left.
A big chunk of the day was motorway sat at 70mph but equally a good chunk was on some fantastic A roads both sides of the northumberland / Scottish border.
This allowed for some pretty spirited driving by me and a colleague. I’m pretty used to the car now and it is by no means a sports car but he was blown away with the cornering ability and the acceleration. Vertical crests still and issue due to weight.
I’m really positive about the future for ev sports cars and although I do miss the noise and the manuals box it has very quickly gone from being a ‘must have’ to none essential.
Once a real ev sports car (2 seater coupe / convertible) with a couple of hours / 150 mile range I’d be very interested.
GT/ enduro races aren't 30 minutes long and a pitstop isn't currently 15 minutes either.
Would seem to make more sense to make it 2WD, surely? More engagement, more challenging to drive, less weight etc etc.
d. A 20% shrunk Taycan is still going to be knocking on the door of 2 tonnes. Can someone please tell me I'm wrong?.
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