Happenings

The Traditionalist

BY Burnpavement

Here's one for the driving purists: Porsche's manual-only Cayman GT4 makes its local debut

It's no exaggeration to say that we've been greatly anticipating the Cayman GT4 here at Burnpavement. More so than any other recent Porsche, in fact. And with a spec sheet that reads the way it does, it begs only one question: what's not to like?

As the name implies, the GT4 is to the Cayman what the GT3 is to the 911: a faster, grippier, harder, rawer beast that can handle the rigours of hardcore track work without sacrificing the everyday practicality that Porsches are known for in the sports car segment.

Back when the Cayman was launched, there were whispers from some corners saying that the company's new mid-engined coupe was slightly neutered, and would never be developed to its full potential for fear of exceeding the 911's performance and cannibalising sales. Thankfully that has never been the case, which has given Porsche the confidence to unleash the more focused car that driving enthusiasts have been crying out for.

The ultimate proof of this intent can be seen in the GT4's engine - it's a 385 bhp, 420 Nm 3.8-litre flat six that's derived from the 911 Carrera S, and, to our eternal joy, is mated solely to a traditional six-speed manual gearbox. Yep, no PDK dual-clutch option here. The manual 'box even comes with an auto-blip function, to help smooth out the gearchanges and prevent spinouts for owners who may have forgotten, or never even bothered to learn the art of heel-and-toe downshifting. Although manuals may not be able to go through the gears as fast as their dual-clutch counterparts, the extra horsepower and torque of the larger engine does mean the GT4 can sprint to 100km/h from standstill 4.4 sec, 0.5 faster than the regular Cayman S. Similarly, top speed has increased from 281 to 295 km/h.

The engine isn't the only part of the car that's been borrowed from more potent Porsche models though. Numerous suspension components, such as the wheel bearings and wishbones, come from the 911 GT3, as do the carbon-ceramic brakes. Overall the GT4 sits 30mm closer to the road than the base car on striking 20-inch rims with a similar design to the GT3's, albeit secured with five lug nuts rather than the latter's central locking nut.

Further aiding the GT4's handling and stability is its most prominent feature, the aerodynamic package. Up front, the extended bumper features three large air intakes to cool the brakes and radiators, as well as a large chin spoiler for downforce. At the rear, the large fixed wing is made of carbonfibre and is adjustable to suit the conditions you're driving in.

Similarly, the interior features several highlights that really distinguish it from its lesser siblings. The sports seats and dashboard are upholstered in fuzzy Alcantara to stop you sliding around in high-G turns, the door handles are replaced with pull straps in a nod to the GT3, and GT4 badges are sprinkled all throughout. For the even more dedicated driver, available options include one-piece carbonfibre bucket seats from the 918 Spyder, an enhanced Sport Chrono Package with a special Porsche Track Precision app and a Club Sport Package that includes a half-roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point safety harnesses.

At $432,688 without COE, the Cayman GT4 is certainly an immensely desirable proposition, but if you're only now making a decision to acquire one, be prepared for a lengthy wait: only nine units are destined for Singapore this year and all have already been snapped up.