Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 & Boxster Spyder: First Look

Porsche wrings pure awesomeness out of the 718 platform.

For the first time, the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder share a chassis and an engine.

The 718 Cayman GT4/ Boxster Spyder in numbers

4.0 6-cylinder boxer engine

4.4 seconds to 62 mph

10 seconds quicker around the Nurburgring (Cayman GT4)

50% more downforce (Cayman GT4)

188-190 mph

414 BHP (420 PS)

1,420 kg  – dry weight (both)

8,000 – RPM redline

£73405/ £75,348 RRP Boxster Spyder Cayman GT4 price in the UK

Design

On the face of it not much has changed, to be honest. A tweaked front splitter and rear diffuser help generate more downforce but this isn’t exactly F1. Both get the now-familiar 718 rear end. The chassis has been given the GT treatment and Porsche now identify the Cayman GT directly as their entry-level GT car.

Performance

The real headliner is a new high-revving 4.0 litre, 6-cylinder boxer engine based on the 992 911’s engine but without the turbos and a manual transmission – it should be a peach and sound great. This powerplant delivers more power (+35bhp for the GT4 and + 45bhp for the Spyder) and torque remains the same as the previous GT4 despite the lack of turbos. Fuel economy and emissions haven’t suffered either.

Technology

Porsche has introduced Adaptive Cylinder Control (which shuts cylinders down when not needed) to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. PASM is standard and the two cars sit 30mm lower than the standard cars. Porsche hasn’t given us much more detail than this.

Verdict

More of the same but better which is good news for all of us given that the previous Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder were already sublime. They’re well priced as well and pretty much all the sports/ track day car you could ever want –  if you could get one…

Gallery – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder

All images courtesy of Porsche AG