Porsche confirms hardcore 718 Cayman GT4 RS

PORSCHE’S world-renowned GT RS portfolio is about to be expanded with the addition of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the introduction of which will mark the first time the ‘RS’ moniker has been applied to a 718.

Due to be officially revealed next month, few details of baby RS have been locked in so far, however Porsche has confirmed that a camouflaged early production vehicle shod with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres lapped the full Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in 7:09.3 minutes.

The same car completed the slightly shorter 20.6km lap (vs 20.8km) in 7:04.5 minutes – a full 23.6 seconds faster than the standard GT4.

While we’re yet to hear of any concrete figures in terms of power outputs, outright performance, and kerb weight, backtracking through the usual RS recipe and examining the GT4 gives us a few insights into the hottest Cayman to date.

Whatever the final outputs end up being, we can be sure the GT4 RS will be powered by a 4.0-litre flat six-cylinder petrol engine with a sky-high redline and a healthy power increase over the standard car.

Given the last-generation 911 GT3 RS boasted a 15kW power advantage over its donor car, it would be more than reasonable to expect a similar power bump for the GT4 RS which would take the final kilowatt count up to around 324.

Torque should also be up around 10Nm, potentially taking the peak figure to 440Nm in PDK guise.

That extra shove should combine nicely with a 10-20kg (at least) weight advantage afforded by the minimalist interior and a few extra kilo-saving measures, not to mention the more aggressive aero features.

The results, according to brand ambassador and development driver Jörg Bergmeister, make the GT4 RS “one of the sharpest cars Porsche has ever developed”.

“It feels as nimble as a go-kart on mountain roads, yet is impressively stable and well-balanced on the racetrack,” he said.

GT model line director Andreas Preuninger confirmed that his department at practically thrown the kitchen sink at the GT4 RS, describing the finished product as a “pure driver’s car”.

“During development, we gave the 718 Cayman GT4 RS everything that characterises a genuine RS: lightweight construction, more downforce, more power and, of course, an even higher level of responsiveness and feedback to driver inputs,” he said.

“The fantastic lap time of the Nordschleife is impressive proof of how clearly noticeable these improvements in driving dynamics are.”

With all the rumours of electrification for the next-generation 718 model range running rife across the internet and already confirmed as an option being explored by Porsche, it’s possible the GT4 RS could be the last hurrah of pure internal combustion power, let alone six-cylinder power, in the brand’s mid-ship, sub-911 sportscar.

The new-generation 718 is expected to break cover sometime in 2024 or 2025 – right before the Euro7 emissions regulations come into effect in 2026.

Until then however, the Cayman and Boxster account for a combined 7.3 per cent share of the $80,000-plus sportscar segment with 213 sales so far this year ending September 30, the bulk of which have been contributed by the Cayman (180).