Just when you thought the GT4 was destined for the history books, they are back with a vengeance. In a press release last night, our perceptions of the current-generation Boxster and Cayman were blown away. That is because the 2020 Porsche 718 Series GT4 was unveiled with six-cylinder power.
Until now, the fastest versions were the Cayman S and Boxster S. They used a 2.5L turbo four to offer 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. Those are great numbers, but we yearned for more. So the new cars will arrive with an all-new 4.0L flat six. It would have been easy to borrow the 520 horsepower beast from the 911 GT3 RS, but Porsche decided to bore and stroke the 3.0L engine found in the 911 Carrera.
Shift Your Own Gears
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Bolted to a six-speed manual, it offers 414 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It can rev to 8,000 rpm with smooth & linear power delivery. For the first time, Porsche flat six has the ability to shut down 3 cylinders while cruising. It is also their cleanest engine thanks to new fuel injection mapping.
Instead of one pulse, each injector fires 5 times per compression to optimize the burn. For the finer details, the Cayman GT4 offers 50% more downforce or about 26 additional lbs at 124 mph. The chassis has some of the same ball joint suspension mounts as the 911 RS models along with a re-tuned Porsche Active Suspension Management system. An optional Clubsport package includes beefy sway bars, fire extinguisher, and a six-point racing harness.
Don’t Call It A Boxster!
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The convertible version of the Cayman GT4 is now known as the 718 Spyder. Inspired by the 550 Spyder, it is the ultimate lightweight roadster. A manual top can be dropped in seconds, and it has a dry weight of 3,130 lbs. It reaches 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and 124 mph in only 13.8 ticks. Does this foretell the end of the Boxster, it is a name that feels stuck in the ’90s, so perhaps it is time to say goodbye. Both the 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder are available for order, so click the link below to find our dealer near you.
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