Porsche’s press blurbs are usually more about a car’s technical prowess, the engineering behind it, and yet, for the new 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the tone is a bit different. The automaker is trying to emphasize the fact that the new GT4 stirs your emotions and that the experience of driving it is joy, most of which is derived from the flat-six engine that powers it..

This is a significant difference to all other models in the 718 lineup, all of which are now powered by new turbocharged four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engines and the consensus is they don’t really sound especially exciting. That’s where this new 718 GT4 comes in as it not only brings back the evocative six-pot soundtrack, but it offers it in a more hardcore, track-focused package that will appeal to real enthusiasts.

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 - Let’s talk about the engine

The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 runs a new 4.0-liter six-cylinder that according to the manufacturer makes 414 horsepower (that’s 34 horsepower more than the previous Cayman GT4’s 3.8-liter engine) and 420 Nm (310 pound-feet) of torque between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm. Peak power arrives at 7,000 rpm and then it tapers off slightly as the engine approaches its 8,000 rpm redline.

Its benchmark sprint time to 100 km/h (62 mph) is achieved in 4.4 seconds and the hardtop 718 GT4 will keep on accelerating to 304 km/h (189 mph). Interestingly, the old 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 had the exact same sprint time, even though it is down on power compared to the new 718 Cayman GT4. However, it was not quite as fast at the top end, with a top speed of 294 km/h (183 mph).

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Aero and handling

Since this is a special hardcore version with more power, Porsche has also upgraded other parts of the car to cope with the extra oomph. For instance, the manufacturer says the new 718 GT4 has 50 percent more downforce than the Cayman GT4 follows, but at the same time it has less drag. One of the main reasons for this has to do with “the newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer: it creates space in the rear section for a functional diffuser, which accounts for a good 30 percent of the downforce at the rear axle.”

The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 rides on 30 mm lower suspension, it has active dampers (Porsche Active Suspension Management - PASM), a mechanical locking differential to help it put its power down and updated brakes and tires.

Notable performance enhancing options include Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) and the Clubsport Package that adds a steel roll bar, a fire extinguisher within easy reach and a six-point racing harness for the driver’s seat. With all of these go-faster options specced, Porsche says this new 718 Cayman GT4 is over 10 seconds quicker around the Nurburgirng Nordschleife compared to its predecessor. Do note, tough, that the Clubsport Package won’t be available for U.S. buyers, but the ceramic brakes will be available.

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 - Pricing information

In Germany, Porsche will sell the 2020 Cayman 718 GT4 from €93,350, while in the States, it can be had from $99,200. Both the Cayman GT4 and the Spyder are available for order now and even if they may seem quite expensive, they are at the same time the only way to currently get a six-cylinder in the Cayman/Boxster, a model that is not only smaller and lighter than the iconic 911, but it also has its a mid-engined setup that many seem to deem superior to the 911’s rear-engined layout.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Porsche Cayamn GT4 Clubsport.

Read our full review on the 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman.

Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS.

Read our full review on the 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4.

Read our full review on the 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.