The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is anything but shy about coming for the 911’s crown.
It was 7 years ago when Porsche introduced the Cayman GT4 and unapologetically showed the beautiful and supremely dynamic mid-engined Cayman using its true potential. For years, the Cayman was known and loved as an excellent driver’s car for its sublime handling and sporty mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout. In fact, many thought that the Porsche Cayman threatened the Porsche 911’s legendary status with its superior weight distribution and center of gravity compared to the rear-engined model. While the 911 retains its icon status, Porsche took years to release the GT4 Cayman, seemingly afraid of the potential for a powerful Cayman to outshine Porsche’s signature car.
However, eventually, the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 was released, and with 380 horsepower, a 4.2-second 0-60 time, and a top speed of 183 mph, it was just as amazing as the Porsche Cayman’s legions of fans thought it would be. 7 years later, however, Porsche now has something even better in its lineup with the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS stats eclipsing those of the original GT4 by a landslide. The GT4 RS shows the mid-engined Cayman with every drop of performance potential squeezed out of it that Porsche can muster, and it may well be one of the best Porsches ever.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Price
If you’re interested in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS for sale, it’s clear that you want one of the best driver’s cars that money can buy. The amount of said money starts at $141,700. Once you start adding options, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS price starts to reach similar territory to the 911 GT3. However, the GT4 RS combines the 911 GT3’s performance orientation with excellent roadgoing capability and on-road driving pleasure, and especially compared to the 718 Cayman GT4, is definitely worth the upgrade if you want the best Porsche 718 Cayman you can get your hands on. If you’re looking for one on the second-hand market, however, expect to pay a premium due to demand, especially if the car you’re after has extra-special options like the Weissach Package, Paint to Sample (PTS), or the front-axle lift.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Review
The 718 Cayman GT4 RS is an example of Porsche going no holds barred and making the ultimate Cayman; a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS review is an exercise in understanding what makes the ultimate sports car. This was achieved by giving the car the same engine as the one that goes in the Porsche 911 GT3. With this engine, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS has 493 horsepower. The reason for the decrease in horsepower compared to the 911 GT3 is the fact that the exhaust system has to be longer on the 718, due to it being mid-engined rather than rear-engined. Yet still, the horsepower in the GT4 RS is an incredible amount, enough to make it an absolute rocket on the track, while still making it a fun and engaging car on the road that’s easy to enjoy and relatively comfortable (considering it performs like a race car).
718 Cayman GT4 RS Specs
“Impressive” would be a gross understatement if it were used to describe the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS specs. With its amazingly light weight, unprecedented power, and mid-engined stature, there is little hyperbole involved in saying that the GT4 RS is one of Porsche’s ultimate sports cars. With the help of launch control, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS 0-60 is just 3.2 seconds, right on par with the 911 GT3, and the ¼ mile of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS is just a frighteningly quick 11.3 seconds. And if you thought that the 718 Cayman GT4 RS was only able to keep up with the GT3 at 60 mph, you are wrong. At only 1 mph less than the GT3, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS top speed is 196 mph.
MUST READ: Did you know the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS has a matching watch? FIND OUT HERE
GT4 RS SPECS:
| Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Specs | |
| Engine: | 4.0-liter flat 6 |
| Transmission: | 7-speed PDK |
| Horsepower: | 493 hp |
| Torque: | 331 lb/ft |
| 0-60 mph: | 3.2 s |
| 1/4 mile: | 11.3 s |
| Top Speed: | 196 mph |
| Nürburgring Lap Time: | 07:04.511 |
718 Cayman GT4 RS Engine
Porsche didn’t skimp on power when it comes to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Also used in the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 Cup, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS engine is a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat 6, which boasts an incredible 493 horsepower. You will notice that this is a slight decrease compared to the GT3, and that’s because of the fact that the GT4 RS is mid-engined compared to the rear-engined 911. This requires the GT4 RS’s exhaust to be longer, which slightly reduces power. However, what you get in return for this trade-off is superior weight distribution and a lower center of gravity.
Along with the horsepower, the GT4 RS also has 331 lb/ft of torque, which combined with launch control allows the car to achieve incredibly quick acceleration both off the line and through the RPM range. Porsche took the GT4 RS to the Nürburgring to see what it was capable of, and it ended up beating its GT4 counterpart by almost 24 seconds, an incredible time saving that proves how much the RS treatment improves the performance of the car. On top of that, Porsche engineers added a special intake to the GT4 RS just behind the doors. This intake helps bring cool air to the engine and is located just behind the driver’s ears, letting the driver enjoy the incredible engine note of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. And don’t forget, you’ll hear that engine note all the way up to a screaming-high 9,000 rpm.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Transmission
Before you ask, no, the GT4 RS does not come with a manual transmission. Rather, it is equipped with a 7-speed Porsche PDK. However, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS transmission allows drivers to switch between plenty of gearbox modes and shift manually, allowing the drive to be just as customized and personal as with a manual transmission, while making the drive easier and sportier, marrying the best of both worlds for a performance-oriented driver.
The GT4 was known for having long gears, which admittedly frustrated some drivers who wanted to get the most fun they could out of the manual transmission. However, the GT4 RS’s PDK resolves that issue, with shorter gearing that allows the driver to experience the joy of going in between gears on a winding road, and comes with plenty of features that make driving the GT4 fun, easy, and true to the performance driving experience.
One of the aspects of driving a manual that drivers love is the ability to clutch kick, and the PDK transmission offers drivers the ability to do this, in a slightly different way. By pulling back both paddles behind the steering wheel, and flooring the throttle, you can perform a clutch kick even without a third pedal, and get the GT4 RS to do some amazing sliding action. Also, the automatic transmission usually only lets you rev to 4,000 rpm in Park, which is no fun when you’re trying to show off the beautiful sound of the GT4 RS. Putting the car in drive and pulling back the paddles allows you to rev up to 7,000, which isn’t quite the full 9,000, but it’s much better.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Interior
The racing look, feel, and capability continue in the interior of the GT4 RS. With Alcantara throughout, you get a real sense that you are sitting in the best 718 Cayman out there. As standard, the steering wheel features a center marker as an extra racing touch, but also as a useful tool on winding roads. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS interior also comes standard with racing bucket seats, but a no-cost option is available to get more comfortable, power-adjustable seats instead. Both options come with leather and Race-Tex upholstery. All seat options also come with embroidery on the headrest, either with “GT4 RS” or “Weissach RS” when the Weissach Package is ordered, which adds much more to the car as well, including lots of exposed carbon fiber on the interior and exterior.
One of the best aspects of the GT4 RS interior is how customizable it is. Available options include six different available color options for the seatbelts, color options for the door pulls, stopwatch dial, and instrument dials. Along with this, you also have available the option for a fire extinguisher and roll cage for the GT4 RS, and even the option for a custom 3D-printed cushion and backrest component for the bucket seat that allows for potential weight savings and a racing-optimized seating position.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Brakes
Although we know that the GT4 RS can go fast, it doesn’t play when it comes to stopping fast, either. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS brakes allow it to stop from 100 mph in under 263 feet. With 6 pistons at the front and 4 pistons at the back, along with vented and dimpled, rather than drilled, discs for optimized track performance. The calipers also get a red finish for an ultra-sporty look, but that color can also be changed to a high gloss black finish optionally. For an extra $8,000, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are available as well. These come with yellow calipers, which have traditionally been Porsche’s designation for carbon-ceramic brakes. However, you can still opt for gloss black calipers even with the PCCB option.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Wheels and Tires
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS wheels are 20 inches and have mounted on them a set of Michelin PilotSport Cup 2 245/35 ZR20 tires in the front, and 295/30 ZR20 tires in the back. The wheels, which are normally finished in Dark Silver, can optionally be changed if the owner chooses to get the Weissach Package. This option is to have the wheels changed to magnesium wheels, also finished in Dark Silver, which shaves 21 extra pounds off the weight of the car. However, choosing this option will be reserved for those who are very serious about track performance and weight savings, as that 21-pound weight saving will cost you $15,640. For optimal track performance, these wheels may just be worth it.
718 Cayman GT4 RS Standout Features
As mentioned before, the Weissach Package, which costs $13,250, adds plenty of unique features to the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS on the interior and exterior. In the Weissach package, you get:
Exterior
- Exposed carbon fiber hood
- Exposed carbon fiber intakes behind windows
- Exposed carbon fiber side mirrors
- Exposed carbon fiber rear wing
- Dark Silver Porsche logo on the rear windshield
- Titanium tailpipes
Interior
- Exposed carbon fiber airbox and air intakes with silver GT4 RS logo
- Race-Tex dashboard upper section
- Weissach logo on the dashboard trim
- Weissach logo on seat headrests
The Weissach package also includes the ability to opt for the Magnesium wheels. Without the Weissach package, only the standard wheels can be ordered. There are also Clubsport options available, which include racing harnesses, a fire extinguisher, and a steel roll cage. One of the unique features you will notice on the GT4 RS are the two intakes on the hood. While their inclusion robs a bit of space from the front trunk of the car, those intakes send air through ducts in the front of the car to cool the brakes, which provides an important bonus in intense racing situations.
Continuing at the front of the car, you’ll notice that the GT4 RS has a much more intense aerodynamics kit than the GT4. With this aero kit sitting very low to the ground, and sometimes presenting situations where the front may scrape against certain obstacles, Porsche has made available a front axle lifting system that allows you to lift up the front of the car to clear steep driveways or bumps. This option is pricey at $3,040, but it’s worth the peace of mind in knowing that your GT4 RS is spared any unnecessary scrapes.
To save weight, the GT4 RS’s rear window is made of lightweight glass, which sacrifices the ability to defrost it using heating elements, but is yet another part of the car’s dedication to ultimate performance, which also includes the “GT4 RS” badging at the back being done as a sticker rather than a typical 3D badge.
One of the most distinctive features of the Porsche 911 718 Cayman GT4 RS is the rear wing. Dubbed the “Swan Neck Wing” by Porsche, the wing is mounted to the car by the top rather than on the bottom, which creates an undisturbed surface area at the bottom and increases downforce. The entire aerodynamics kit on the GT4 RS ends up contributing a 20% downforce increase compared to the GT4.
Paint to Sample and Exclusive Manufaktur options are also available on the new GT4 RS, meaning that an extensive library of custom interior touches and paint colors are available from Porsche, but also that you are able to specify a completely custom color for your 718 Cayman GT4 RS, making your car not only an incredible performer but also a beautiful and unique statement.
We put together a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS that includes all the options we would want to make it the quickest and best GT4 RS we could. With nearly $50,000 of options included, the total cost of our dream GT4 RS came out to be $190,280. While that’s a lot of money over the GT4’s starting MSRP of $101,200, 24 seconds on the Nürburgring is a lot of time.
Images Sourced From Porsche