GT4 vs Spyder - Real World Difference
Discussion
Never owned/driven a Spyder but from internet hearsay I’ve always read it’s a lot softer than the GT4 in 981 variant. Just watched the video below comparing the two round a track and was surprised at how close the Spyder was to the GT4’s time.
https://youtu.be/eTRxlaB6eFM
Let’s say both cars were on Cup 2’s, how close do you think they’d be? Also makes me wonder if the 718 variant would be neck and neck now?
https://youtu.be/eTRxlaB6eFM
Let’s say both cars were on Cup 2’s, how close do you think they’d be? Also makes me wonder if the 718 variant would be neck and neck now?
In 981 variant, Spyder and GT4 will be close over a single lap on a twisty technical circuit like the one in the video, the issue for Spyder, jut a like a GTS or any other standard non-GT car is that it will not be able to keep up that performance, lap after lap, after lap.
That’s the point of a GT car, it has been prepared/built to take the forces of track driving over a extended duration, rather than just for one run.
Porsche made their mark on track not by necessarily being outright fastest, but by being able to keep sustainable performance... where other peak and then drop off.
For 718 Spyder and GT4 should be pretty much identical for a twisty technical circuit. GT4 might have edge on a circuit with several high speed corners, but Spyder might have slightly higher top end at the end of a straight due to less drag.... Although according to the numbers they share the same drag coefficient ( I guess that GT4 with lower wing position) Spyder frontal area is slightly less. But it’s going to take a pro to extract the real difference, although an amateur will feel difference in experience also.
GT4 is still better for track due to safety of roof, harnesses and rollcage.
On the road, for either generation, there will be zero performance delta.
That’s the point of a GT car, it has been prepared/built to take the forces of track driving over a extended duration, rather than just for one run.
Porsche made their mark on track not by necessarily being outright fastest, but by being able to keep sustainable performance... where other peak and then drop off.
For 718 Spyder and GT4 should be pretty much identical for a twisty technical circuit. GT4 might have edge on a circuit with several high speed corners, but Spyder might have slightly higher top end at the end of a straight due to less drag.... Although according to the numbers they share the same drag coefficient ( I guess that GT4 with lower wing position) Spyder frontal area is slightly less. But it’s going to take a pro to extract the real difference, although an amateur will feel difference in experience also.
GT4 is still better for track due to safety of roof, harnesses and rollcage.
On the road, for either generation, there will be zero performance delta.
Edited by TDT on Sunday 15th November 18:17
Having tracked both my 981GT4 and my 718 Spyder I can make some comparisons. Not a side by side test of the same generation of car admittedly but it’s the best I can do.
There is not a lot of difference but without a doubt the GT4 has the more precise chassis, especially in the very high speed stuff not sure if that’s an aero issue or the closed car is stiffer than the open car with the resulting benefits in chassis control. I also get the feeling that the GT4 can keep it together for longer, my Spyder doesn’t have that invincible feeling of the GT4.
There is not a lot of difference but without a doubt the GT4 has the more precise chassis, especially in the very high speed stuff not sure if that’s an aero issue or the closed car is stiffer than the open car with the resulting benefits in chassis control. I also get the feeling that the GT4 can keep it together for longer, my Spyder doesn’t have that invincible feeling of the GT4.
Twinfan said:
gareth h said:
For those that have driven 981 Spyder and GT4 is steering feedback similar in both? My Spyder is a little lacking in this dept, and I’ve wondered whether they both use the same EPAS
GT4 is different, probably due to both the GT3 front end parts and GT steering mapping.
In-laws have just taken delivery of their 718 Spyder, which looks pretty good alongside our 718 GT4 IMHO. Only driven a few miles in the Spyder, and like the GT4 it feels very lively and planted. A tad more noise, with the fabric roof, and I could be wrong (given the identical suspension components), but the Spyder also felt slightly softer sprung. Both brilliant cars.
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