To have only a couple of complaints about a new car is fairly remarkable, but such is the case with the
Porsche Cayman GT4
. The first problem is those damn gear ratios, a frustrating barrier to interacting with a great manual gearbox. The other is incredibly limited availability, meaning many who did want one are currently left GT4-less, morose and seeking alternatives like an
Exige Cup
High standard set by the previous car!
But there's a solution! The
Boxster Spyder
is to return. At present firm details are predictably vague as Porsche seeks to keep the spotlight on the Cayman for a little while. It has been officially announced by VW though (there's a new Audi Q7 AND A4 coming this year too) and those who missed out on the GT4 have been tipped off as well.
In fact the message from OPCs to customers is very interesting. Ignoring the fact they've spelt Spyder with an 'i' (heathens), the car is 'rumoured to be just as focused as the GT4 but 10bhp less', which is certainly exciting. You will remember an identical relationship between the Cayman R and Boxster Spyder previously (320hp for the Spyder, 330hp for Cayman).
However, the last Boxster Spyder wasn't a full Porsche GT car. The Cayman GT4 most definitely is. Does that mean the Boxster Spyder will also get the full overhaul from Preuninger's team, GT3 suspension and all? Or are Porsche dealers promising too much to keep hold of disgruntled deposit payers for the Cayman GT4? It would be surprising to see the former but then we didn't expect a manual-only Porsche in 2015 either.
And what about the gear ratios? Well given Porsche listened to the fairly vocal criticism about the PDK-only
GT3
, perhaps if we're vociferous enough in denouncing overly long ratios then something could change. Would any fewer people want a Cayman GT4 if it did 160mph rather than 182mph? Exactly. And even if the regular rangey ratios had to stay, then could different final drives be offered as options? Come on Porsche, we don't all want to do 80mph in second.
Feel free to contribute your own guesses on what a Boxster Spyder could be. Frankfurt would seem like the most obvious place to debut the car but we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime there are one or two very nice original Spyders in the classifieds. Manuals are in short supply but isn't this Arctic Silver car fantastic? Even with brown leather.
[Blue Boxster images: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]
