2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4/GT4 RS Expectations

4.0-liter H6 engine

There's a lot to be thankful for with the new 718 GT4 and GT4 RS. Starting from the top with the most important area, we will be getting the same naturally aspirated 4.0 from the 911 GT3. However there is a rumor floating around that the GT4 will get an N/A 3.8-liter Flat 6 and the N/A 4.0-liter Flat 6 for the GT4 RS. Probably one of the most important facts here for most Porsche enthusiasts is this time around there won't be any turbos. Just don't expect that next time around. Paired to these Flat 6's should either be a 6-Speed Transmission or the brands PDK setup.

Natural aspiration is one of our main USPs,” Andreas Preuninger, head of GT car development at Porsche told Autocar earlier this year. “At Motorsport, we think we can achieve throttle response and immediacy a little bit better with an atmospheric high-revving engine than any kind of turbo.”

Output for the 4.0-litre unit is rated at 493bhp at 8250rpm in the 911 GT3, but the Boxster Spyder’s power may be slightly down on this in order to leave breathing space for its more expensive sibling.

The previous Spyder used a 3.8-litre flat six taken from the 911 Carrera of the time that was good for 370bhp. The recently launched Boxster GTS and related Cayman GTS use highly-strung four-pot engines with 361bhp, so the new Spyder will need to produce more power to cement itself as the top Boxster. An output of around 425bhp seems likely.

Click to expand...

- AutoCar

Rumours are rife that the 718 GT4 will utilise a N/A 3.8-litre flat 6, and the GT4 RS will use a N/A 4.0-litre flat 6 - and I now understand why. They will have to, if they are going to improve on the already blisteringly quick 718 series. I also understand why Porsche had to move the base and S models to 4 cylinder forced induction, as once a turbo was strapped on to the old engine it would not fit in the current engine bay. Considering they needed to improve pace on the 981 series, and without (understandably) being happy about dropping in a 3.8-litre N/A into the base model (without even considering the tree huggers) - what choice did they have? I won't get into the sound debate, that's a whole different article

Click to expand...

.
- DriveTribe

_____________________________________









Transmission

6-Speed Manual or a 7-Speed Dual-Clutch PDK (optional) is to be expected once these start hitting showrooms come 2019. Porsche has done well with keeping manuals around although there's little hope in next-generation models. With all this rich DNA from the 911 GT3 making its way into the next 718 GT4/GT4 RS, performance should be somewhat limited to not step on its big brothers toes too much. Weight savings as you will learn about in the next section should aid in how this aggressive engine-transmission package feels, lighter on its feet of course.

To signify its driver focus, the car will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but those after maximum on track performance will be able to select the option of a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

Click to expand...

- AutoCar

And while we've already shown you a 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 prototype packing a manual gearbox, forum chat also mentions the possibility of an optional PDK.

Alas, we're expecting Porche to stick to the reverse-911-GT3-RS recipe (the recently-spied 991.2 Neunelfer won't follow the GT3 down the manual path) for the 718 GT4, which means the sportscar should only be offered in three-pedal form. Even so, expect the new GT4 to be a serious threat for its rear-engined big brother.

Click to expand...

- AutoEvolution

_____________________________________









Body & Chassis

Although power is expected to be turned down, this 718 GT4/GT4 RS and event the Spyder might see some weight reduction that hopefully is noticeable when paired to other areas improved for 2019. With power being reduced from 500 in the 911 GT3 RS, this is one key area the 718 can shine with as its mostly been known to. Already some hints of this happening can be seen in the RS trim, which of course gets similar treatment as most RS models.

Unlike the early 718 Cayman GT4 test cars, the one we have here sports dedicated front and rear fascias, with the new aprons showing just how aggressive the aero package of the newcomer will be.

Interestingly, the 718 Boxster Spyder, which we spied earlier this week, still comes with the provisional Sport Design bumper, which, by the way, is standard on the freshly-revealed GTS models.

Click to expand...

- AutoEvolution

The Spyder will also go on a hefty diet, ditching cabin insulation and even a radio and air conditioning. The 718 Boxster’s electric folding soft top will also go, in its place a manually removable ‘tent top’. These weight savings will combine with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber to make the car the sharpest handling production Boxster yet produced.

Click to expand...

- AutoCar

_____________________________________









Design

Areo is still up for more observation as spy shots continue to roll out leading up to its debut hopefully before the first quarter of 2018 is over, but so far some slight new additions can be seen, still in very typical Cayman GT4 fashion. Being one of the easier areas of research and development, hopefully Porsche takes advantage of it. Already in spy shots of what seems to be a 718 GT4 RS, not only are we getting all the usual RS upgrades but this time around with some GT2 cues. Car Magazine pointed out a GT2 RS-style front splitter.

Much of the design treatment applied the Boxster Spyder will mirror those featured on the GTS. The Cayman GT4 will likely get the same adjustments, along with a more prominent rear wing to signify its even harder status.

Click to expand...

- AutoCar

We’re not quite a month past Porsche’s reveal of the 2018 Cayman GTS, but already attention is starting to shift towards what is expected to be a phenomenal ultra-high performance Cayman GT4. These latest spy shots show the latest evolution in the GT4 testing phase, with subtle changes to aerodynamic add-ons from the earlier test car we caught back in May at the Nürburgring. Specifically, the lower fascia sports redesigned air intakes, or at least, intakes wearing some measure of camouflage to hide their real shape. The side intakes have gained some extra vents as well, and appear to be the same production items found on the new Cayman GTS.

Aside from the rear being quite dirty, we also see a different rear fascia with a tweaked diffuser and exhaust tips relocated a bit further to the sides. The taillights have changed as well, matching what we see on the 2018 GTS. Looking really close through the back window we can also see what appears to be a roll cage inside. It would seem this is definitely a GT4.

Click to expand...

- Motor1
_____________________________________









Pricing & Availability


Once 2019 rolls around and GT4's start showing up in dealers expect to pay incrementally more than the last GT4, north of $85,000 (USD) is expected. Sometime before this years end we should see a lot more of the Spyder. It's expected by mid-2018, spaced well apart from the GT4's rumored date. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

No arrival date for the Boxster Spyder has been set, but the recent reveal of the GTS suggests it could follow in the first half of 2018.

Click to expand...

- AutoCar

With the 718 Cayman GTS out and about, the big question now is when the new GT4 will become official. With this test car running virtually camo-free wearing production components, we expect an official announcement could be just a couple months away.

Click to expand...

- Motor1 [Nov 15, 2017]