Two very special 718 variants have come to official Porsche showrooms under Sime Darby Auto Performance. These are the 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder. These mid-engined sportscars are for the most performance-oriented customers as they only come with naturally-aspirated flat six engines and manual transmissions.
Both vehicles come with 4-litre engines which produces 414hp and 420Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of just 4.4 seconds. Compared to the previous generation of models (known as the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder), output is up between 35 and 45 hp respectively. This allows the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder to break the 300km/h barrier for the first time. What’s more, these engines have adaptive cylinder control, which helps to reduce fuel consumption in certain circumstances.
The 718 Cayman GT4 starts at RM999,000 while the 718 Spyder starts at RM970,000.
Here are some other features and highlights of this very special model.
- 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six engine (414hp, 420Nm torque)
- six-speed manual transmission (dynamic rev-matching function)
- downforce-oriented aero (50% more downforce without affecting drag, 20% more than predecessor)
- Optional Clubsport package for 718 Cayman GT4
- Optional Spyder Classic package for the 718 Spyder
Here’s the press release with more information on these two models.
PRESS RELEASE
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) introduces the new range-topping performance model in the 718 family – the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder. Sharing a technical base for the first time, both are perfect sports car for the individual prioritising pure driver appeal and unadulterated driving pleasure. The only model line from Porsche that features the mid-engine concept, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder promises to make your pulse race with its naturally aspirated flat-six engine and six-speed manual transmission, and output-oriented aerodynamic design.
High-revving and highly emotional naturally aspirated engine
Featuring a completely redesigned four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine based on the same turbo engine family in the 911 Carrera model series, these new members of the 718 family have a significant increase in power compared to its predecessors – 35hp and 45hp more for the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder respectively. With a maximum torque of 420Nm at between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm, these high-revving mid-engine sports cars accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds from a standing start, with top speeds that break the 300km/h barrier. New additions include technical highlights such as adaptive cylinder control. In part-load operation, it temporarily interrupts the injection process in one of the two cylinder banks, thus reducing fuel consumption.
For the first time ever in a high-revving engine, piezo injectors are used for direct fuel injection. Each injection process is split into five individual injections to support a complete combustion process, making it as emissions-friendly as ever. A variable intake system with two resonance valves ensures optimum gas exchange in the cylinders.
Complementing the powerful engine is the dynamic rev-matching function of the six-speed manual transmission to guarantee an emotional driving experience and sporty gear changes when downshifting. Combined with the linear power delivery and the immediate response of a GT engine, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder will appeal to the sports car enthusiast who appreciate a high level of agility and an almost intimate proximity to the centre of power.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4: more downforce, the same drag
The 718 Cayman GT4 features a striking exterior design with downforce-oriented aerodynamic concept that has been honed to produce up to 50% more downforce without adversely affecting drag for outstanding efficiency. Its comprehensively improved aerodynamics concept benefits enormously from the newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer: it creates space in the rear section for a functional diffuser, which accounts for a good 30 percent of the downforce at the rear axle in the 718 Cayman GT4. The fixed rear wing is also marked by greater efficiency: it produces around 20 percent more downforce compared with its predecessor. This corresponds to an additional downforce of twelve kilograms at 200 km/h. The front section, which is optimised in the GT style, maintains the aerodynamic balance with a large front spoiler lip and so-called air curtains. The latter calms the air flow along the front wheels.
Porsche 718 Spyder: an open-top road sports car with lightweight convertible top
The new 718 Spyder is a pure machine for driving pleasure, with its aerodynamic concept fine-tuned even further. At the front, the new honeycomb air intake grilles have been designed to increase airflow by reducing obstructions. The distinctive front spoiler lip with recessed ‘Spyder’ lettering and the central air intake in the front end directs the air upwards through the air outlet opening in front of the front lid to assist in reducing lift at the front axle. This is further complemented by the golf-ball like profiled surface below the front end to guarantee a constantly low drag coefficient. Unlike the GT4, the 718 Spyder possesses a distinctive rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds in excess of 120km/h which helps to reduce lift for more driving stability. Thanks to the functional diffuser, it is the first model in the Boxster family to generate aerodynamic downforce at the rear axle.
Performance-oriented, sporty exterior and interior design
Even while stationary, the design of the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder’s leaves no doubt as to its performance on and off the track. At the front, these high performance vehicles boast a pronounced front spoiler lip with recessed ‘GT4’ or ‘Spyder’ lettering respectively and new honeycomb air intake grilles. The rear of these vehicles further emphasise the high-performance status of the vehicle – the 718 Cayman GT4 possesses a fixed one-piece rear wing with side plates and aluminium wing supports whereas the 718 Spyder had a distinctive rear spoiler between the tinted taillights that come up automatically at 120km/h. The overall sporty exterior is characterised by the large 20-inch wheels, side blades with recessed lettering and the dark-tinted front lights above the side air intakes.
The sporty and uncompromising look of the exterior is also consistently maintained in its interior – an instrument cluster with the analog rev counter in the centre to provide all essential information to the driver in a split second, accompanied by decorative trims in brushed aluminium and decorative stitching create exciting contrasts whilst its puristic door pull loops emphasise the sporty look and gives both the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder an overall motorsports feel.
High-performance GT chassis: optimised for best dynamics
For the first time ever, the new 718 Spyder makes its debut with the same high-performance GT chassis as the 718 Cayman GT4. Delivering particularly agile handling and good driving stability even at high speeds, the chassis provides the ideal foundation for maximum performance and pure driving pleasure. Its further refined lightweight spring-strut front and rear axles make use of racing technologies. The direct connection to the chassis is partially by means of ball joints ensuring a firm connection of the chassis to the body, resulting in precise, sharp and direct driving behaviour, to make the handling characteristics of these thoroughbred mid-engine sports cars sharper. The height, camber, toe angle and the anti-roll bars of the chassis for the 718 Cayman GT4 can be adjusted to the demands of each individual race track. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping system with sports setup and 30 mm suspension as standard, brings the centre of gravity of these models significantly closer to the ground and improves lateral dynamics potential.
The Porsche Stability Management (PSM) operates with even greater sensitivity and precision here but can optionally also be deactivated in two steps for deliberately sporty handling. Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock further enhances the longitudinal and lateral dynamics, cornering performance and driving pleasure.
Optional packages available
The 718 Cayman GT4 can be equipped with the optional Clubsport package. With its components derived from professional motorsport, the Clubsport package provides additional protection on the racetrack. This includes a rear steel roll bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point seatbelt on the driver’s side.
The optional Spyder Classic interior package lends an extravagant look to the interior while also being reminiscent of historic racing cars. The two-tone leather interior in Bordeaux Red/Black gives an especially unique and high quality look and feel to the entire interior of the 718 Spyder.
Gripping: powerful brakes, ultra-high-performance tyres
A new feature of the 718 Spyder is that it runs on ultra-high-performance tyres (UHP) specially adapted by Porsche. These road-approved sports tyres ensure optimum grip on dry roads thanks to their size. The high-performance brake system in the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder provides consistent braking that is suitable for track driving thanks to large aluminium monobloc fixed-calliper brakes. They are internally ventilated and perforated for optimum cooling. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is also available as an option.
Delighting your auricular senses
Adding the perfect finishing touch to these highly emotional and powerful models is the new precise sports exhaust system. An even more powerful sports car sound is available at your fingertips through the press of a button. With two separated black tailpipes on the left and right of the rear diffuser, it produces an unparalleled boxer sound that remains more distinguished than ever.
A sports car not lacking in purist appeal, the price of the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder starts from RM 999,000.00 and RM 970,000 respectively.
