Monday 21st January 2019

Porsche confirms R-GT Cayman GT4

Porsche makes a return to rear-drive rallying with a new Cayman racer

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What with all Porsche's success in circuit racing, it's rather easy to forget its presence in international rallying. It was a while ago now, of course, but there were three consecutive Monte Carlo wins in the late 1960s and the pair of Dakar wins in the 80s, plus numerous triumphs for private entrants in various Porsches over the years.

More recently, specialists Tuthill had its incredible 997 GT3 homologated for WRC use and Porsche teased a Cayman rally car at the end of last year. Following up on the latter, there is now this, the official 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport R-GT car, spurred on by the positive response to the 2018 concept.

It's based, of course, on the GT4 revealed just a couple of weeks ago, using the same 425hp 3.8-litre flat-six and seven-speed PDK. With R-GT regs aimed at being relatively low cost, using a spec close to the production car makes sense. Porsche says a focus "was put on performance, drivability and sustainability" when creating the R-GT Cayman; or rather, the natural fibre used in construction of the track car is also found here, only now with spotlights on the front and spikes on the tyres.

Still, the more rear-wheel drive rally cars in the world can only be good news. The GT4 R-GT made its debut at the GP Ice Race over the weekend, with Richard Lietz driving (and presumably having lots of fun). Porsche expects the car to be ready for the 2020 season, which should hopefully spur more manufacturers to develop R-GT racers. See the below video of the GT3 for further proof of why sports car rally cars being the best rally cars...

 

 

[housen]

soooo coool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tickle]

That looks fng brilliant!

[sr.guiri]

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

[sr.guiri]

Does look great though, whatever it is

[Dale487]

Love it!

[Jack4688]

sr.guiri said:

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

No, I’d say it’s more like a 911 for people who don’t want their engines completely out the back, but still behind them, but also cheaper.

Back on topic it will do f*** all to encourage other manufacturers to join them, but it will still be a laugh to watch these in the R-GT events instead of the dreadful World Rally Cars that people seem to love overhyping as ‘the new group B’ 🙄

[dunnoreally]

So now the Cayman GT4 is a rally homologation car on top of everything else? Good grief, as if that car needed to be any more desirable!

[KJH]

sr.guiri said:

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

What about Tudor to use your analogy?

[rastapasta]

sr.guiri said:

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

Good story. Tell it again.

[rastapasta]

Jack4688 said:

sr.guiri said:

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

No, I’d say it’s more like a 911 for people who don’t want their engines completely out the back, but still behind them, but also cheaper.

Back on topic it will do f*** all to encourage other manufacturers to join them, but it will still be a laugh to watch these in the R-GT events instead of the dreadful World Rally Cars that people seem to love overhyping as ‘the new group B’ ??

Yeap. The golden age of the WRC was group A. Anyway this would look great sprayed up in Rothmans colours.

[GranCab]

sr.guiri said:

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

I'm guessing the author has been in Wetherspoons since 9.30 this morning .......

[NickCQ]

sr.guiri said:

I don't know my Porsches.

Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion.

Thanks for this really helpful contribution. ‘I know naff all but I have made up my mind and I’m not going to listen to anyone who might know more than me’

Did you vote for Brexit by any chance??

[Helicopter123]

The coolest looking thing I've seen in many a year.

A modern RS200?

[firebird350]

Like the look of the car, the sound of it and the very idea of an official Porsche entry into the international rally scene once more (regardless of whether a Cayman IS or ISN'T a 911!). Together with the Fiat 124 Abarth and, hopefully, the new Renault Alpine (pretty please, Renault!) I could very happily watch an hour per week of TV coverage of the R-GT class doing its stuff out there on the special stages in international rallying.

[drjdog]

DannyScene said:

I didn't read it as rude in any way, slightly tongue in cheek perhaps but you do come across as overly upset that he doesn't 'get' your car for some reason

It doesn't read as anything but rude to me. There is no hint of laughing. I couldn't give a toss if he doesn't get the Cayman, or the 928, or whatever, I just hate rude people.

[epom]

Is it the name or the colour scheme that makes me think it looks like a Celica ?

[boxsey]

Like it.....but the pics look they feature a rally car based on the original 981 GT4 not the forthcoming 718 GT4.

[RenesisEvo]

Looks fantastical and purposeful. Love R-GT - I hope that Jaguar take their rally car concept and turn it into an R-GT F-type. It'd be great to see something more interesting on the stages than everyday hatchbacks that crashed into a bucket of aerofoils.

sr.guiri said:

I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche.

Your analogy doesn't work. The 911 and Cayman are both by Porsche. In the same way a Submariner and a Daytona are both by Rolex. You can get fake Rolexs. You can also get fake Porsches. The Cayman is not a fake by your deduction (but I get that's how you see it).

sr.guiri said:

If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

No, you are not correct. Cayman is only a 2-seat car. Therefore it is not a 911. Hence why it's not called 911.

[Don Colione]

sr.guiri said:

Hey!!!

I don't know my Porsches, clearly. For me there is the 911 and nothing else. The Cayman, or whatever it's called has never caught my attention. I wouldn't buy a fake Rolex and to me, this, not being a 911 is a fake Porsche. Please don't argue with me as I'm not saying that this is fact, it's just my opinion. You will have your own. No need to get upset by my comments if you own a Cayman.

But now I'm confused. If I'm correct, this car is a 2+2 flat six. Isn't it therefore a 911?

So a Cayman is a 911, and a 911 is a Cayman. But it's a cheap 911, for those that don't want an expensive 911.

Now I understand. If they called it 911 Low Cost, people wouldn't buy it, so they call it Cayman. Which is like an alligator, but spelt wrong.

Lol hey, if you are going to intentionally try to trigger a negative response, which you know is coming (this is PH after all) - at least stick around to account for your words, if you believe in them so much. Instead of posting them, with the seeming intention of inciting anger, then "running away" like a coward.

It's like a little clown throwing rocks at a bunch of attack dogs behind a fence, annoyingly laughing, because he knows the fence is there; and he can run away at any time....

No respect; even though you are funny and seem cool.


Anyway, I kind of feel where you are coming from... I try not to get hung up on names, stats, etc. anymore in the car game; much too confusing at this stage, with all the marketing and PR nonsense going on.

My personal philosophy, is that we all only have a limited time here to enjoy whatever cars and experiences we want to enjoy... I want to drive as many cars as I can; of all brands, names, prices, stats, etc... just for the experience. I know all the cars I drive wont be special, but at least I won't exclude or miss a special one due to my closed mindedness.

Much love, and stay safe!

[andy97]

And R-GT cars are eligible for UK rallying. Doesn't even have to be a homologated version as from 1 Jan 2019 either. So, you could buy your own second hand Cayman, or Boxster even and do something similar - ideal for the MSVR/MSN Circuit Rally Championship!