Remember last week's report claiming Porsche->ke1 is working on a Cayman->ke5 model that will slot above the already exciting GTS? The rumor surfaced only one month after the Cayman GTS was unveiled to the world, making it seem a bit suspicious, but it appears it wasn't just tittle-tattle.
We've received confirmation for Motor Trend's piece straight from our spy photographers stationed in Germany, who have captured the sports car while being driven on the country's public roads.
Design-wise, the GT4 -- the name has yet to be confirmed -- isn't astonishingly different when compared to the Cayman GTS, but some new elements are there to point out that we're dealing with a completely new version. For starters, check out the cool wing mounted at the back, making this sports car the GT3 of the Cayman lineup.
Then there's the revised front bumper. Although it carries styling cues seen on the GTS, the intakes are rather raw in appearance, lacking the beauty elements seen on the current range-topping model. Getting back to the car's rear fascia, the wing isn't the only addition. A new, protuberant spoiler has been attached between the taillights, reminding us of the 911 GT3 RS.
The engine that will be motivating the Cayman GT4 is a mystery, but it appears Porsche has already decided to go with a hybrid powertrain. It's not clear whether the Germans will pair the electric motor with a four-cylinder or an inline-six engine, but the consensus is that the outcome will depend on the 919 Hybrid's performance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this summer.
Output is expected to sit around 400 horsepower, while pricing is rumored to be set at $125,000, a whooping $50,000 more than the Cayman GTS and only $5,000 below the 911 GT3. This may seem a little counterproductive for Porsche, considering it will outmatch the 911 Carrera S in nearly every measurable, but there is a plug-in hybrid version of the 911 in the works that is rumored to crank out over 700 ponies and the Turbo S with 560 ponies, giving buyers plenty of options to choose from in both the Cayman and 911 lineups without rendering the 911 obsolete.
Click past the jump to read more about the future Porsche Cayman GT4.
Why It Matters
The Cayman GT4, or whatever name it will carry, will be more than just a beefed-up Cayman. With 400 horsepower under the hood, it will step into 911 territory->ke282, something Porsche probably thought as inconceivable a couple of years ago. They key obviously lies in the Cayman's mid-mounted engine -- the 911 is rear-engined -- which will offer a brand-new driving experience with a great deal of help from Porsche's track-prepped suspension system and weight reducing measures.
Spy Shots
