Return of the GT4 RS and Spyder

[JustinC79]

As per the article, Autocar suggesting that the GT4 RS and Spyder RS will make a come back, using an updated 718 platform, whilst the EV platform is adapted for ICE options. Adding detail to the leaked deck from September showing ICE engines in the top models.

"Those models are expected to be the continuation of the current-generation RS and GT4 RS, which are being positioned to sit above the 2026 EVs."

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/next-g...

I found it via this site, originally.

https://www.motor1.com/news/781793/porsche-electri...

Lots of questions about this - will they attempt a facelift to make it look more like the 992? And if so, will that include the interior? Does this mean restarting the now closed production line, or will they move the 718 line to a new location and restart it there? Or is this wrong, have GT4 RS and Spyder actually stopped production at all?

[130R]

Seems bizarre that they would have a continuation of only the GT4 RS and RS Spyder on the old platform. Presumably that would require major changes to meet the updated cybersecurity requirements and to introduce all the ADAS garbage.

[GT4P]

Also seems they might use the 4.0 engine of gt4/gts which can make up to 493hp apparently so not the GT3 lump, therefore it seems more like a GT4 plus than a full fat RS so pricing maybe cheaper using the cheaper engine?

[ChrisW.]

For a manual Porsche always said that it was the gearbox that was torque limited to 310 ft lbs ??

[GT4P]

ChrisW. said:

For a manual Porsche always said that it was the gearbox that was torque limited to 310 ft lbs ??

Would it have been difficult/expensive to use/ reengineer the GT3 6 speed manual? A manual RS Spyder would be a lovely thing

[JustinC79]

130R said:

Seems bizarre that they would have a continuation of only the GT4 RS and RS Spyder on the old platform. Presumably that would require major changes to meet the updated cybersecurity requirements and to introduce all the ADAS garbage.

It's a good question. This did make me think about the strange thing Mini have done - ICE car is old platform and new EV is totally new platform. But they have the same, new design, interior. If Porsche followed suit, that could give us the legacy 718 platform with 992 era interior and infotainment.

[modeller]

Can’t see the point really - 718 is great with CarPlay and no ADAS, speed control , cabin monitoring etc.

[TrevorHill]

I’m probably in a very small minority but I’m really excited about and looking forward to the Cayman EV. I hope they leave the 718 platform as is, but knowing Porsche they will manage to squeeze a bit more out of it one way or another.

[Freakuk]

130R said:

Seems bizarre that they would have a continuation of only the GT4 RS and RS Spyder on the old platform. Presumably that would require major changes to meet the updated cybersecurity requirements and to introduce all the ADAS garbage.

Just thinking the same thing, the cost to introduce effectively 2 new models even though one is an updated 718 platform but with the nanny garbage doesn't seem financially feasible in the current market and Porsche's recent woes.

Plus it would also mean 2 production lines I guess.

The EU scrapping the 2035 date doesn't include the UK correct, so at this point we'd only see the EV model from 2030.

[housemouse]

I wouldn't put a huge amount of stock in the details from that Autocar story. I think it contains multiple misapprehensions.

All the details will come out in time, but the 718 EV platform is related to the 992, it's not totally separate.

I think the author has conflated some data points - eg "top variants" of the next-gen getting the F6 ICE powertrain - and thoroughly confused them.

Porsche had already clearly said the "new" 718 will get ICE options for the "Top derivatives" as an "addition" to existing EV plans, this is official information:



This new Autocar story is basically saying that slide above implied rebooted 718 (ie 982 platform) RS and GT4 RS models. And then the new info is reverse engineering the new EV platform for more mainstream ICE models.

I think this is largely wrong. Porsche has already made it clear that it is going to add ICE to the new 718 platform. Contrary to the Autocar story, this platform has commonalities with the 992, it isn't entirely dedicated, which is what makes it viable for ICE conversion.

Much of the front half is largely shared with the 992 (as has always been the case with the 911 and Cayster models), and at the rear Porsche has said the battery pack goes where the engine used to - ie it's not a skateboard design with a thin pack across much of the floor with the passenger compartment on top.

In other words, as EV-to-ICE conversions go, this is about as viable as it gets.

Long story short, there's no new info here, at least none that is accurate. Porsche isn't going to reboot the 982 platform. The ICE cars will be based on the same architecture as the 718 EV, which itself has commonalities with the 992. Exactly which ICE models Porsche launches, we'll have to wait and see.

At most, this story may be an indication that Porsche is planning to extend the ICE models a little further down the range than was previously planned. But I doubt even that. It'll likely be down to the author not fully understanding what has already been announced, maybe having a conversation with someone at Porsche and putting 2 and 2 together to make 7.8935.

TL;DR, ignore the crap Autocar story!

[gtsralph]

All of these product plans will be subject to the EU's recently "relaxed" emissions rules which seem capable of being misunderstood by esteemed journalists. From the EU press releases;

"The CO2 standards now provide further flexibilities to support the industry and enhance technological neutrality, while providing predictability to manufacturers and maintaining clear market signal towards electrification. From 2035 onwards, carmakers will need to comply with a 90% tailpipe emissions reduction target, while the remaining 10% emissions will need to be compensated through the use of low-carbon steel Made in the Union, or from e-fuels and biofuels."

Who wants to be a product planner for a car manufacturer?

"Strengthening Europe's own battery industry

With €1.8 billion, the Battery Booster will accelerate the development of a fully EU-made battery value chain. As part of the Battery Booster, €1.5 billion will support European battery cell producers through interest-free loans. Additional targeted policy measures will support investments, create a European battery value chain and foster innovation and coordination across Member States. These measures will enhance the cost competitiveness of the sector, secure upstream supply chains and support sustainable and resilient production in the EU, contributing to the derisking from dominant global market players."

Having blown through $5.4bn on Northvolt, a measly €0.3bn is available as risk free funding plus €1.5bn as loans.

[ChrisW.]

Very useful info .... but I wonder what the UK response may be ??

To put some of this into a global context, we are told that 2025 coal consumption was the highest EVER due to incentives in the USA to burn coal ....

[gtsralph]

ChrisW. said:

Very useful info .... but I wonder what the UK response may be ??

To put some of this into a global context, we are told that 2025 coal consumption was the highest EVER due to incentives in the USA to burn coal ....

Or maybe China and India..

https://www.worldometers.info/coal/coal-consumptio...

[996Targa]

I think that much of the front half of both the the 981 and 982 (718) is shared with the 991.

Porsche did not develop a new mid engined car using the 992 platform.

[housemouse]

996Targa said:

I think that much of the front half of both the the 981 and 982 (718) is shared with the 991.

Porsche did not develop a new mid engined car using the 992 platform.

Correct. Not yet. The 718 EV, however, has commonalities with the 992. That is the point.

[996Targa]

Or is it the 993 or whatever 911 comes next. The 992 platform will soon be in its eighth year. Usually time for a change.

[housemouse]

996Targa said:

Or is it the 993 or whatever 911 comes next. The 992 platform will soon be in its eighth year. Usually time for a change.

It's not, it's 992 derived. You have to bear in mind that the 718 EV has been nearly done for years, it was originally supposed to have been released probably in about 2023.

You can clearly see 992 door cards and significant 992 dash elements in the images of the EV interior:




Likewise, the EV clearly has a 992 front bonnet, 992 wing mirrors, etc etc, just as a 981 has the 991 bonnet, wing mirrors, door cards, lower dash and so on.




Indeed, if you look at the details carefully, you can see it's not just 992 derived, but specifically 992.2 derived, as you would expect.

[996Targa]

Thanks for pointing that out. I was assuming that the structure for an EV would be very different, especially at the front, as there is no fuel tank to consider.

[housemouse]

No doubt there are lots of differences. But you can see the core structure has commonalities in the usual 911-Cayster style. Maybe there are control electronics etc where the tank used to be. I bet the front boot is the same as the 992.