The second-generation Porsche Cayman->ke5 was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show->ke228 and released as a 2014 model in the spring of 2013. Although redesigned from the ground up, the new mid-engined coupe->ke141 remained recognizable as a Cayman and as a Porsche->ke1 sports car->ke506 in general. The interior also received new features and updated tech, while both the 2.7-liter and 3.4-liter flat-six engines were revised. A facelift unveiled in 2016 brought new turbocharged, flat-four powerplants and a name change that revived the classic 718 name.

Equally important is that the second-generation Cayman spawned the GT4->ke4859, the first track prepped version of the mid-engined coupe and a proper equivalent to the already iconic 911 GT3.

Attention performance purists: your savior from Stuttgart has arrived. Porsche just unveiled the latest member of its GT family, officially inducting the Cayman into that illustrious batch of performance vehicles distilled to offer the most essential of driving characteristics. Unsurprisingly, this feat is accomplished with components pulled from the track-bruising 911 GT3, following the mid-engine sports-car formula perfected by cars like the 904 GTS, 911 GT1, Carrera GT,->ke2124 and 2014 918 Spyder.

Those are tough acts to follow, but the Cayman GT4 is no slouch. Porsche is claiming a lap around the North Loop of the Nürburgring->ke999 in seven minutes and 40 seconds, placing it alongside the 2011 911 GT3->ke617 around the iconic German racetrack.

However, despite such a blistering pace, Porsche says it developed the engine, chassis, brakes, and aero to perform without hindering the overall utility expected of a two-seater sports coupe. That means this weapon of velocity should be somewhat drivable on surfaces without rumble strips and apex markers.

The rumor mill predicted everything from a turbocharged four-cylinder to a hybrid drivetrain for the Cayman GT4, but such complications remain mere hearsay. Read on to learn more about this latest mid-engine monster.

Click past the jump to read more about the Porsche Cayman GT4.

porsche-cayman-gt4

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: porsche-cayman-gt4
Pros
Cons

2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
  • Horsepower: 385
  • Transmission: Six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Rendering

It looks as though our rendering pretty much nailed it. While drafting up a possible Porsche design isn’t exactly guesswork, all the requisite changes are present and accounted for, including the addition of the large rear spoiler, changes to the front bumper, and the new ride height. Sure, there aren't decals, but who cares about stickers?

Exterior

Porsche made sure to make the Cayman GT4 stand out next to its non-GT siblings. The most obvious addition hangs off the rear end as an enormous fixed GT wing. There are also larger air inlets and a chin spoiler added to the front bumper. These alterations combine to increase total downforce across the whole of the Cayman->ke5 body, an important feature when blitzing the ‘Ring. The ride height is dropped 1.2 inches as well, giving those low-profile tires a nice, snug wheel well to hug.

While the wing is a bit dramatic, the rest of the design doesn’t deviate too sharply from the original Cayman exterior, which should be expected from a company like Porsche. This is a car that’s beefed up, not torn down and rebuilt.

Exterior Specs

Length

174.7 inches

Width

78.5 inches

Width (mirrors folded)

70.9 inches

Height

49.9 inches

Wheelbase

97.8 inches


Interior

In the cockpit of the Cayman GT4, you’ll find standard features like sport seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara, which should offer great support during heavy lateral acceleration. There’s also a small sport steering wheel.

Options include a few goodies specifically tailored for those who own crash helmets, like racing bucket seats composed of pure carbon fiber. There also the ubiquitous Sport Chrono Package, which on past Porsches included a performance display, both digital and analogue, and a go-faster “Sport Plus” button that stiffens suspension, sharpens throttle response, quickens steering, and includes several other useful racing features. Porsche throws in its “Track Precision App” to help gather data from the inevitable circuit outings.

Drivetrain

Pulling inspiration from the 911 Carrera S,->ke574 the Cayman GT4 uses a naturally aspirated, 3.8-liter flat-six to produce 385 horsepower, pouring it all into a standard six-speed manual transmission equipped with dynamic gearbox mounts. Let me repeat that just so it’s crystal clear: the Cayman GT4 comes with a six-speed manual without an optional automatic, which is exactly as it should be. Time to give that left leg a workout.

Porsche says the chassis “consists almost entirely of components from the 911 GT3”, which is probably a good thing, seeing as this two-door can hit 60 mph from a standstill in only 4.2 seconds. Top speed is rated at 183 mph.

Drivetrain Specs

Engine Size

3.8-Liter Flat-Six

Horsepower

385 @ 7,400 RPM

City Fuel Economy

18 MPG

Highway Fuel Economy

23 MPG

0-to-60 MPH

4.2 Seconds

Top Speed

183 MPH


The suspension has been lowered over an inch, and stopping power is available from optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system.

Combining more power, better handling, harder stops, and improved aerodynamics makes this Cayman more than worthy of the GT nomenclature. The fact that it comes with three pedals and no paddles is just icing on the cake.

Prices

The base model Cayman is $52,600, which isn’t a bad deal, but you’d be silly to not save those pennies a bit longer to spring for the faster version. The new Cayman GT4 starts at $84,600, which doesn’t include a $995 destination charge. That’s a lot for a two-door sports coupe, but given the cornucopia of performance improvements, I think it’s worth the extra $32,000. Models are expected to arrive at U.S. dealers in July of this year.

Competitors

Lotus Evora S

Lotus->ke49 has been struggling a bit in the past few years, but that isn’t stopping the marque from putting out fantastic sports cars. The new Evora looks to maintain that simplistic, go-faster mentality with the possibility of a revised version of its supercharged 3.5-liter Toyota->ke88 V-6, which currently churns out 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The rest of the drivetrain includes a six-speed manual (and an optional six-speed automatic), and the interior is cleanly laid out with leather, aluminum, and an optional 2+2 configuration.

With a 0-to-60 of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 178 mph, the Lotus mimics the performance of the Porsche, but for a bit less cash. For anyone looking for a fun two-door sports coupe with a bit more civility than the GT4, this might be the right choice.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

While it may be much larger and more cumbersome than the Porsche, this ‘Vette will (unsurprisingly) smoke it down the 1,320 with 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque from a 6.2-liter V-8 monster motor. Such figures imbue this bowtie with a 0-to-60 of three seconds flat, plus a top speed quickly approaching 200 mph.

It’s also one of the best handling Corvettes->ke1280 ever made. With an electronic differential, huge carbon brakes, and sticky Michelin tires, this thing will give the Porsche a run for its money, provided a track with enough space between the corners. And for $80,000, it’s the bargain of the century. In fact, we love the Z06 so much we named it our 2014 Performance Car of the Year.

Conclusion

The cloth has dropped on the Cayman GT4, and Porsche plans on taking it to the Geneva International Motor Show->ke228 for a world premiere in early March. It’s much more expensive than the base Cayman, but for very good reasons. Every aspect of the car has been massaged to render more performance. It takes Stuttgart’s extensive corner-slicing know-how and puts it on display, with a large wing and seven minute, 40 second Nürburgring lap. It may cost a pretty penny, but anyone trying to find that classic German sports-car refinement need look nowhere else.

Spy Shots

January 27, 2014 - Porsche Cayman GT4 teased in Real Racing 3

January 5, 2015 - Porsche Cayman GT4 Caught Free Of Camouflage

November 17, 2014 - Porsche Cayman GT4 caught testing one more time

June 11, 2014 - Porsche Cayman GT4 testing at Nurburgring

May 13, 2014 - First Testing Session

Update History

Updated 2/5/2015: Porsche unveiled a new video of the new Cayman GT4, this time showing the car in action on the race track. Enjoy!

Updated 2/4/2015: Porsche dropped a first promo video for the new Cayman GT4 in which apparently the sports car manages to scare everyone around. Enjoy!

Updated 2/3/2015: Porsche has officially unveiled the Cayman GT4. We have all of the official details after the jump.

Updated 5/13/2014: Our spy photographers just caught the Cayman GT4 (unconfirmed name) out testing for the first time. See the image after the jump.

Updated 05/15/2014: We've prepared a very cool rendering for you in the form of our vision of the future Porsche GT4 -- or whatever it is Porsche decides to name its Cayman-based monster! As you can see, the image includes numerous updates, but you'll have to click past the jump to learn more about them.

Updated 07/03/2014: British magazine CAR reports that the future Cayman GT4 will deliver as much as 450 horsepower from its heavily tuned 3.8-liter, twin-turbo, boxer-six engine.

Updated 1/6/2015: The Cayman GT4 was caught testing without any camo today. Check out the spy shots after the jump.