718 GT4?

[_Leg_]

I've had a 718S on test recently and forgetting all the other discussion about the 718 one thing is undeniable, it's a quick car, very quick. Especially in PDK format.

I'm told that the next GT4 will continue to be naturally aspirated but we have to assume it needs to be faster than the 718 S and GTS.

This has me pondering, what the hell are Porsche going to do engine and power wise in the 718 GT4?

[n17ves]

_Leg_ said:

I'm told that the next GT4 will continue to be naturally aspirated

Thats not fact, its opinion! None of the OPC's have the answer to this.

[JayK12]

I've read its going to be N/A also, I have my LOI in as if it is N/A i will want one, if its Turbo I 100% wont as it will be a 4 pot no doubt.

To be honest I don't think it will be N/A, the 718 GTS will likely have 360hp / 315lbft going by Porsche normal gains, which will be so close to the GT4 performance wise....unless they up the 3.8.

Id still buy one if it was N/A and slower in a straight line than a 718 GTS, just for that N/A motor as thats my preference.

[Twinfan]

Lots and lots of speculation on this in several threads. Two schools of thought if there is a 718 GT4:

1. NASP engine, a higher powered version of the 3.8ltr flat six used in the 981 version.
2. Turbo 4cyl engine, possibly the 2.5ltr from the 'S' in an even higher state of tune than we will see in a GTS model.

Comments from Andreas Preuninger have implied an NA engine, but he's got in wrong in the past (e.g. GT3 with PDK gearbox), so it's all just idle speculation right now.

[Sparkyhd]

Does it need to be faster? If it's got 6 cylinders, no turbo, makes the right sounds and demands drivers to work hard to extract the juice surely all diehard enthusiasts will be orgasmic?

[Andrew911]

n17ves said:

_Leg_ said:

I'm told that the next GT4 will continue to be naturally aspirated

Thats not fact, its opinion! None of the OPC's have the answer to this.

AP has hinted he will keep the next GT4 NA. AP has also hinted at saying the GT4 is not only about outright power gain over other Caymen models but will be about driving pleasure etc (those with the current GT4 will no doubt agree with this obvious statement). Judging from these comments from AP I reckon the 718 GT4 is likely to be NA with only a few horses more than the GTS. However, I reckon he will throw something else in the mix to make up for a small power gain on the GTS. Maybe full GT suspension? All of this is just total speculation of course.

[JayK12]

Sparkyhd said:

Does it need to be faster? If it's got 6 cylinders, no turbo, makes the right sounds and demands drivers to work hard to extract the juice surely all diehard enthusiasts will be orgasmic?

No it doesn't, but Porsche increase power / torque and generally have a faster car as you go up the range.

As said, even if the GT4 would be slower than the 718 S i'd still buy it, as you said above

[mdianuk]

Speculating but if they put the 4.2ltr power plant in the GT3, is there a possibility that they'll put the 4.0ltr in the GT4 to give it the perceived power increase it will need over the GTS? I agree though that ultimately speed is not important in what Porsche decide, and that AP is full of 5h!t.

[Phooey]

I have every faith in the next GT4 being NA. Porsche have had so much praise and following for the GT4 (and GT3) for being manual and NA. They are on a roll and it would be suicide to go turbo just now. It's absolutely not going to be a turbo. Yet.

[bcr5784]

Sparkyhd said:

Does it need to be faster? If it's got 6 cylinders, no turbo, makes the right sounds and demands drivers to work hard to extract the juice surely all diehard enthusiasts will be orgasmic?

I'm afraid bragging rights count or there wouldn't be all this money spent on 'Ring times. If the GTS has 395bhp as mooted they would 430bhp and PDK to match with NA. Will they do it?

[Dr S]

I think they put themselves into a bad spot with all the 718 link to its "glorious 4 pot histry". How do you justify a variant with a NA flat six then?

[Twinfan]

Dr S said:

I think they put themselves into a bad spot with all the 718 link to its "glorious 4 pot histry". How do you justify a variant with a NA flat six then?

You badge it just as a "GT4" or "Cayman GT4" just like the current one. Stick the turbo'd 4cyl in it instead and badge it as a "718 GT4", like the "911 GT3".

Given how Porsche seem to want to move to "718 range" marketing it would seem to me to make most sense for the next GT4 to be a turbo'd 4cyl.

[HokumPokum]

Twinfan said:

Dr S said:

I think they put themselves into a bad spot with all the 718 link to its "glorious 4 pot histry". How do you justify a variant with a NA flat six then?

You badge it just as a "GT4" or "Cayman GT4" just like the current one. Stick the turbo'd 4cyl in it instead and badge it as a "718 GT4", like the "911 GT3".

Given how Porsche seem to want to move to "718 range" marketing it would seem to me to make most sense for the next GT4 to be a turbo'd 4cyl.

+1

sensible and rational. Gt3 is more money so GT4 needs to further develop the cheaper engine. makes no sense to pander to people who can't afford to nor want to spend gt3 money. just develop the gt4 into a gt4 turbo with even faster ring times (plenty of room left). Not only would it give kudos to the 4 cylinder but also ensure that cayman is truly separate from 911.

make it 420HP + PDK-S ... pls and i'll gladly trade in my current GT4 for it.

[Cheib]

For what is a limited run model it seems like a HUGE amount of expense to engineer an N/A six cylinder GT4.

Look at what's going on in the rest of the VW group...costs being slashed all over the place. I just don't see it.

[Krobar]

Cheib said:

For what is a limited run model it seems like a HUGE amount of expense to engineer an N/A six cylinder GT4.

Look at what's going on in the rest of the VW group...costs being slashed all over the place. I just don't see it.

Not sure there would be such a big cost. Chassis is more or less the same so the engineering is for the most part done already.

[Twinfan]

Cheib said:

For what is a limited run model it seems like a HUGE amount of expense to engineer an N/A six cylinder GT4.

Look at what's going on in the rest of the VW group...costs being slashed all over the place. I just don't see it.

Yep, there's that as well. Production lines at Zuffenhausen will be geared up for 4cyl turbos in 718 models. Not so much of an issue for the 911 GT3 as the profit margins are much more generous and will allow for the extra cost of a non-standard run in the factory schedule. I don't know how much of a change it would be to put NA flat sixes in instead, but it would have to be sub-optimal for efficient production.

Unless they drop in the exact same engine that the 991 GTS had (430bhp), there's also the cost of developing a detuned 3.8ltr. An even then, they've got to do a limited production re-tooling run of the 'old' engine parts which would be expensive if you look at it on a cost-per-part basis.

[ellroy]

Of course it could depend on whose p&l the costs land.

They could land some costs on the marketing budget, as they tend to with the race teams, so it may still make sense.

[Evolved]

Does it matter? No one will be able to buy one anyway, well unless you're firmly lodged up the dealers backside that is.

[Cheib]

Krobar said:

Cheib said:

For what is a limited run model it seems like a HUGE amount of expense to engineer an N/A six cylinder GT4.

Look at what's going on in the rest of the VW group...costs being slashed all over the place. I just don't see it.

Not sure there would be such a big cost. Chassis is more or less the same so the engineering is for the most part done already.

I think what Twinfan said is correct...the requisite engine isn't in production any more is it ? I just can't see it happening. Bean counters and also if the GT4 goes Turbo whilst the GT3 stays NA it just keeps the young upstart at arms length.

[Taffy66]

The more i think about this i'm afraid i'm moving towards the 4 cyl turbo camp and they will use the 718 GT4 as a guinea pig to make turbos acceptable in motorsport Porsches.After all the current GT4 was a guinea pig for reintroducing manual box back into GT porsches.They use 911 gt3's as guinea pigs for the latest stuff and the lower rung GT4 for on the fence stuff like manual and turbos.
Marketing and beancounters ultimately have the last say in all corporate decisions unfortunately,a necessary evil for corporate greed.