The new 718 Gt4/Spyder are here!
Discussion
So many factors - from the election through to petrol cars going out of fashion.
The only thing these cars have going for them in this market is the relative exclusivity / best in class etc.
I think the days of big overs on cars at this price point and a bit above are finished personally, regardless of the election results. The cycle ended a while ago now.
The only thing these cars have going for them in this market is the relative exclusivity / best in class etc.
I think the days of big overs on cars at this price point and a bit above are finished personally, regardless of the election results. The cycle ended a while ago now.
RSVP911 said:
I have to say it’s interesting how many 718 GT4’s are already up for sale .The pace of re sale seems quicker that other GT cars to me - maybe people have spent a lot / taken a big hit on PX to get an allocation and they are trying to stem their losses ? 
I think that's a very wild theory!I just think the speculators got first dibs on allocations, as usual, and are doing their usual thing.
Jonny08 said:
People who have taken delivery already, what tyres were fitted?
I've seen one at an OPC in the flesh that had Dunlops, and nearly all I've seen pictured online has Michelins.
It's a lottery. The cars i drove at PEC today where on Michelin. I've seen a few cars awaiting collection that are on Dunlops and some are on Michelins.I've seen one at an OPC in the flesh that had Dunlops, and nearly all I've seen pictured online has Michelins.
Jonny08 said:
People who have taken delivery already, what tyres were fitted?
I've seen one at an OPC in the flesh that had Dunlops, and nearly all I've seen pictured online has Michelins.
My Spyder is on Cup 2, thank god, as was the Crayon GT4 which was delivered the same day.I've seen one at an OPC in the flesh that had Dunlops, and nearly all I've seen pictured online has Michelins.
No more cars from my dealer until 2020
Had an interesting morning at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone driving the 718 GT4 Twins - GT4 and Spyder.
I drove both cars for half a day - on public roads, and at the PEC facilities.
The GT4 was a new one they had in, in beautiful Gentian Blue, with 18-way Sports Plus seats. Under 300 miles.
The Spyder, in Guards Red, had about 1800miles with folding buckets.
Review
The 718 GT4 and Spyder are very spec sensitive. Specifically you need to get the correct seats for how you intend to use the car.
The comfort spec basically removed all GT car feel and specialness from the GT4 for me, as I really felt that I was on the car rather than in it. It was super comfy on the road, but just felt like a really well equipped top of the range sporty car… top trim level, it had no edge. GTS+ really. (Not knocking GTS btw)
Put the chassis into PASM sport and you obviously get a more jiggly ride, But this I don’t think that car had been particularly properly set up geo-wise, handfuls of understeer at no speed at all.
Over to the Spyder and dropping into the folding buckets and it immediately feels more sorted.
The Spyder in this configuration felt small, nimble and immediate. The ambience, even with the roof up (stayed up all day due to weather) was much more sports car. Amazing difference to the 718 GT4 in that particular spec.
Jumping back into my GT4 on the way home.... from a driving and dynamic point of view… no real difference in the way the car goes down the road or steers vs the Spyder, only that i sit even lower in my GT4 with the 918 bucket seats. So even better position.
Intake sound of the new 718 engine is good in the cabin for both cars GT4 and Spyder, you can tell that there is more happening on the intake side in the new car, but exhaust is just a blare, not trumpeting like the 981. The car also makes an interesting noise that seems to either occur on cylinder de-activation or maybe it is GPF re-gen related? not sure what is its - but i noticed it, and asked about it but didn’t get an answer.
The Spyder definitely felt like it had been set up better from the factory, as the PEC do not set up the cars.. i asked.
Gearshift and clutch in the Spyder felt almost the same as my car.
I have more turn-in on my car due to the big camber but the Spyder felt good through corners.
The Spyder felt the more raw and connected car of the two, but i think this is just down to spec and set up, as they should be the same.
Performance wise for the driving I did on the road and the small confines of the PEC the new car(s) feel suitably athletic, but not ballistic. The data graphs show the peak torque arrives later and but stays longer in the new car 5000-6800 for a range of 1800 RPM in the 718 vs 4750-6000 for a range of 1250RPM in the 981, and the overall of torque area under curve being larger in the new car.
Would be interested to see how this translates to real life once you get to stretch the legs of the cars in a higher speed environment or track-day.
Summary
Nothing surprising…this is a .2 facelift/update for the GT4. It’s much more of an UPGRADE for Spyder.
I drove both cars for half a day - on public roads, and at the PEC facilities.
The GT4 was a new one they had in, in beautiful Gentian Blue, with 18-way Sports Plus seats. Under 300 miles.
The Spyder, in Guards Red, had about 1800miles with folding buckets.
Review
The 718 GT4 and Spyder are very spec sensitive. Specifically you need to get the correct seats for how you intend to use the car.
The comfort spec basically removed all GT car feel and specialness from the GT4 for me, as I really felt that I was on the car rather than in it. It was super comfy on the road, but just felt like a really well equipped top of the range sporty car… top trim level, it had no edge. GTS+ really. (Not knocking GTS btw)
Put the chassis into PASM sport and you obviously get a more jiggly ride, But this I don’t think that car had been particularly properly set up geo-wise, handfuls of understeer at no speed at all.
Over to the Spyder and dropping into the folding buckets and it immediately feels more sorted.
The Spyder in this configuration felt small, nimble and immediate. The ambience, even with the roof up (stayed up all day due to weather) was much more sports car. Amazing difference to the 718 GT4 in that particular spec.
Jumping back into my GT4 on the way home.... from a driving and dynamic point of view… no real difference in the way the car goes down the road or steers vs the Spyder, only that i sit even lower in my GT4 with the 918 bucket seats. So even better position.
Intake sound of the new 718 engine is good in the cabin for both cars GT4 and Spyder, you can tell that there is more happening on the intake side in the new car, but exhaust is just a blare, not trumpeting like the 981. The car also makes an interesting noise that seems to either occur on cylinder de-activation or maybe it is GPF re-gen related? not sure what is its - but i noticed it, and asked about it but didn’t get an answer.
The Spyder definitely felt like it had been set up better from the factory, as the PEC do not set up the cars.. i asked.
Gearshift and clutch in the Spyder felt almost the same as my car.
I have more turn-in on my car due to the big camber but the Spyder felt good through corners.
The Spyder felt the more raw and connected car of the two, but i think this is just down to spec and set up, as they should be the same.
Performance wise for the driving I did on the road and the small confines of the PEC the new car(s) feel suitably athletic, but not ballistic. The data graphs show the peak torque arrives later and but stays longer in the new car 5000-6800 for a range of 1800 RPM in the 718 vs 4750-6000 for a range of 1250RPM in the 981, and the overall of torque area under curve being larger in the new car.
Would be interested to see how this translates to real life once you get to stretch the legs of the cars in a higher speed environment or track-day.
Summary
Nothing surprising…this is a .2 facelift/update for the GT4. It’s much more of an UPGRADE for Spyder.
Edited by TDT on Thursday 5th December 19:26
Geoff39GL said:
Take note of the Gentian Blue GT4's reg no and ensure you don't buy it when it comes up for sale at an OPC in about 3 months time.
Hammered by TDT with only 300miles on the clock. Not the best way of carefully running in a new car
Lol. Not hammered really at all. Hammered by TDT with only 300miles on the clock. Not the best way of carefully running in a new car
BTW Gentian Blue is the best colour on these 718 twins IMO.
TDT said:
Had an interesting morning at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone driving the 718 GT4 Twins - GT4 and Spyder.
I drove both cars for half a day - on public roads, and at the PEC facilities.
The GT4 was a new one they had in, in beautiful Gentian Blue, with 18-way Sports Plus seats. Under 300 miles.
The Spyder, in Guards Red, had about 1800miles with folding buckets.
Review
The 718 GT4 and Spyder are very spec sensitive. Specifically you need to get the correct seats for how you intend to use the car.
The comfort spec basically removed all GT car feel and specialness from the GT4 for me, as I really felt that I was on the car rather than in it. It was super comfy on the road, but just felt like a really well equipped top of the range sporty car… top trim level, it had no edge. GTS+ really. (Not knocking GTS btw)
Put the chassis into PASM sport and you obviously get a more jiggly ride, But this I don’t think that car had been particularly properly set up geo-wise, handfuls of understeer at no speed at all.
Over to the Spyder and dropping into the folding buckets and it immediately feels more sorted.
The Spyder in this configuration felt small, nimble and immediate. The ambience, even with the roof up (stayed up all day due to weather) was much more sports car. Amazing difference to the 718 GT4 in that particular spec.
Jumping back into my GT4 on the way home.... from a driving and dynamic point of view… no real difference in the way the car goes down the road or steers vs the Spyder, only that i sit even lower in my GT4 with the 918 bucket seats. So even better position.
Intake sound of the new 718 engine is good in the cabin for both cars GT4 and Spyder, you can tell that there is more happening on the intake side in the new car, but exhaust is just a blare, not trumpeting like the 981. The car also makes an interesting noise that seems to either occur on cylinder de-activation or maybe it is GPF re-gen related? not sure what is its - but i noticed it, and asked about it but didn’t get an answer.
The Spyder definitely felt like it had been set up better from the factory, as the PEC do not set up the cars.. i asked.
Gearshift and clutch in the Spyder felt almost the same as my car.
I have more turn-in on my car due to the big camber but the Spyder felt good through corners.
The Spyder felt the more raw and connected car of the two, but i think this is just down to spec and set up, as they should be the same.
Performance wise for the driving I did on the road and the small confines of the PEC the new car(s) feel suitably athletic, but not ballistic. The data graphs show the peak torque arrives later and but stays longer in the new car 5000-6800 for a range of 1800 RPM in the 718 vs 4750-6000 for a range of 1250RPM in the 981, and the overall of torque area under curve being larger in the new car.
Would be interested to see how this translates to real life once you get to stretch the legs of the cars in a higher speed environment or track-day.
Summary
Nothing surprising…this is a .2 facelift/update for the GT4. It’s much more of an UPGRADE for Spyder.
@TDT - thank you for taking the time for such a detailed reply... it’s somewhat refreshing to read a reply on a thread that is actually 100% about the car and less about someone having a go at another person for saying X, Y & Z :-)I drove both cars for half a day - on public roads, and at the PEC facilities.
The GT4 was a new one they had in, in beautiful Gentian Blue, with 18-way Sports Plus seats. Under 300 miles.
The Spyder, in Guards Red, had about 1800miles with folding buckets.
Review
The 718 GT4 and Spyder are very spec sensitive. Specifically you need to get the correct seats for how you intend to use the car.
The comfort spec basically removed all GT car feel and specialness from the GT4 for me, as I really felt that I was on the car rather than in it. It was super comfy on the road, but just felt like a really well equipped top of the range sporty car… top trim level, it had no edge. GTS+ really. (Not knocking GTS btw)
Put the chassis into PASM sport and you obviously get a more jiggly ride, But this I don’t think that car had been particularly properly set up geo-wise, handfuls of understeer at no speed at all.
Over to the Spyder and dropping into the folding buckets and it immediately feels more sorted.
The Spyder in this configuration felt small, nimble and immediate. The ambience, even with the roof up (stayed up all day due to weather) was much more sports car. Amazing difference to the 718 GT4 in that particular spec.
Jumping back into my GT4 on the way home.... from a driving and dynamic point of view… no real difference in the way the car goes down the road or steers vs the Spyder, only that i sit even lower in my GT4 with the 918 bucket seats. So even better position.
Intake sound of the new 718 engine is good in the cabin for both cars GT4 and Spyder, you can tell that there is more happening on the intake side in the new car, but exhaust is just a blare, not trumpeting like the 981. The car also makes an interesting noise that seems to either occur on cylinder de-activation or maybe it is GPF re-gen related? not sure what is its - but i noticed it, and asked about it but didn’t get an answer.
The Spyder definitely felt like it had been set up better from the factory, as the PEC do not set up the cars.. i asked.
Gearshift and clutch in the Spyder felt almost the same as my car.
I have more turn-in on my car due to the big camber but the Spyder felt good through corners.
The Spyder felt the more raw and connected car of the two, but i think this is just down to spec and set up, as they should be the same.
Performance wise for the driving I did on the road and the small confines of the PEC the new car(s) feel suitably athletic, but not ballistic. The data graphs show the peak torque arrives later and but stays longer in the new car 5000-6800 for a range of 1800 RPM in the 718 vs 4750-6000 for a range of 1250RPM in the 981, and the overall of torque area under curve being larger in the new car.
Would be interested to see how this translates to real life once you get to stretch the legs of the cars in a higher speed environment or track-day.
Summary
Nothing surprising…this is a .2 facelift/update for the GT4. It’s much more of an UPGRADE for Spyder.
Edited by TDT on Thursday 5th December 19:26
Great read, thank you.
TDT said:
But this I don’t think that car had been particularly properly set up geo-wise, handfuls of understeer at no speed at all....
The Spyder definitely felt like it had been set up better from the factory, as the PEC do not set up the cars.. i asked.
Definitely curious about the set ups on these cars; the Autocar handling day review was not flattering about the GT4’s composure on track, which seems quite at odds to the initial reviews at Knockhill, and just wondering if there is enough range on the factory settings to give such different reactions? Any views?The Spyder definitely felt like it had been set up better from the factory, as the PEC do not set up the cars.. i asked.
It's the same chassis as last time, give or take a few tweaks, so the Autocar review is an outlier. There is a reasonable amount of adjustment available, so maybe that press car had knocked something out of line?
I'm planning on running my car for around 500m then taking it for a geo check and setup. It's £100 well spent as the factory tolerance is quite wide and you can have a fair difference side to side and still be classed as "in spec".
I'm planning on running my car for around 500m then taking it for a geo check and setup. It's £100 well spent as the factory tolerance is quite wide and you can have a fair difference side to side and still be classed as "in spec".
Geoff39GL said:
Take note of the Gentian Blue GT4's reg no and ensure you don't buy it when it comes up for sale at an OPC in about 3 months time.
Hammered by TDT with only 300miles on the clock. Not the best way of carefully running in a new car
They don’t sell the PEC GT cars...they keep them all. Only ones they do keep. There’s a compound the Just inside the circuit where they keep them all....just the other slide of the bridge. You can see it from the restaurant. Hammered by TDT with only 300miles on the clock. Not the best way of carefully running in a new car
Twinfan said:
It's the same chassis as last time, give or take a few tweaks, so the Autocar review is an outlier. There is a reasonable amount of adjustment available, so maybe that press car had knocked something out of line?
I'm planning on running my car for around 500m then taking it for a geo check and setup. It's £100 well spent as the factory tolerance is quite wide and you can have a fair difference side to side and still be classed as "in spec".
I think that is a good idea even if its just for road use but I was told to leave it until the car had done at least 1500 miles and had settled.I'm planning on running my car for around 500m then taking it for a geo check and setup. It's £100 well spent as the factory tolerance is quite wide and you can have a fair difference side to side and still be classed as "in spec".
May as well get the best out of the car and have it set up for your driving style. Agree "in spec" does give quite a bit of adjustment scope.
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