Cayman GT4 confirmed!

[madoka]

As the owner of a previous gen Cayman S, this would make me seriously consider trading her in depending on what engine they choose. Porsche may have finally decided to let loosen the reins on the Cayman.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2015-porsche-cayman-gt4-spy-photos-news

What It Is: A Porsche Cayman prototype wearing an aggressive front fascia and a giant rear wing. A prototype of what, you may ask? It appears to be a GT4, the long-rumored, range-topping ultra-high-performance Cayman variant that will follow in the epic 911 GT3’s footsteps.

Why It Matters: Porsche has long throttled the performance of the Cayman and Boxster twins in order to maintain a safe buffer between them and the pedestal on which the 911 sits, but a Cayman GT4 would upset that hierarchy for the first time. Until now, the Cayman’s output figures have been carefully clipped to levels below those enjoyed by various 911 models, even though a mid-engine chassis as good as the Cayman’s could easily handle more power. Should the GT4 pictured here come to fruition, it would give us our first look at just how far a factory Cayman can be pushed.

 

[Ferzerp]

This should be a sweet car.

 

[MagickMan]

I'd love it, finally a Cayman with balls, but no manual, no sale.

 

[Insomniator]

Gah enough with the porsche threads youre all killin me!

This car will be sweet.

 

[Kushina]

My next car will be a Porsche.

 

[reallyscrued]

I'd love it, finally a Cayman with balls, but no manual, no sale.

Are you the same guy that poo-poo'd the S4 for having a "slushbox"?

 

[tweakmonkey]

Just a bump to this... lots of info available on this car now.

3.8L from the Carrera S
<3000 lbs
manual only
huge brakes
many parts shared from GT3 / track suspension

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGVWojMMeg4

 

[Phanuel]

Confirmed Porsche becoming less German and more fun.

I never though this day would actually come to pass where they'd un-gimp that platform. I am sad there is no PDK option along side of the manual but I'll never be able to afford this so my opinion doesn't really matter.

 

[rh71]

$85k+ Porsche nickel and diming for features... It'll probably be more fun to throw around, and it's a looker, but I'd probably still go M5. Also, for the price, wouldn't you rather have a 911?

 

[Nebor]

I'd love it, finally a Cayman with balls, but no manual, no sale.

As I suspected, those that relentlessly advocate for outdated transmissions are frequently literate.

Porsche purposely left out the PDK and down-tuned the engine to keep it a step behind the 911. Please post pics of your sweet gear-shift when you take delivery, as I see that that's all that was holding you back from making the purchase.

 

[Nebor]

$85k+ Porsche nickel and diming for features... It'll probably be more fun to throw around, and it's a looker, but I'd probably still go M5. Also, for the price, wouldn't you rather have a 911?

I agree that in the very competitive market in which the Cayman and M5 are cross-shopped, the M5 will continue to be the clear winner.

I expect MT will squeeze a sub-4 second 0-60 out of this. An aftermarket tune will make it even faster. As it stands, it's both down-tuned and underrated, and has a shittier transmission (no helping that) in order to keep from cannibalizing 911 sales.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Lol at the haters. Hooray for manual!

Oh it's slower than pdk. And I don't care.

Also who the hell cross shops a mid engine 2 seater against a boat like an m5?? What the hell planet are these guys from.

 

[vshah]

oh my goodness, this sounds incredible.

 

[MagickMan]

As I suspected, those that relentlessly advocate for outdated transmissions are frequently literate.

Porsche purposely left out the PDK and down-tuned the engine to keep it a step behind the 911. Please post pics of your sweet gear-shift when you take delivery, as I see that that's all that was holding you back from making the purchase.

I am literate, thanks.

No one who loves manuals cares about a tenth or two slower shift times, because they don't want the car for drag racing. It's about the control of the shift, not how fast you can tear through gears. There's not a damned thing outdated about preferring a more engaging driving experience.

As for it being "down-tuned" (I think you meant detuned), it's more powerful than the base Carrera and when a 3rd party finally does strap a GT4 to a dyno I'm pretty certain they'll find it makes the same HP and torque as a Carrera S (400). After all, he did say, "officially, at least 385".

Edit: As for getting one, I'm going to wait until I can test drive, then I may trade in my Carrera S. Lots of factors there, like interior and ride quality differences (the Carrera is my DD, so those things matter).

 

[Insomniator]

I am literate, thanks.

No one who loves manuals cares about a tenth or two slower shift times, because they don't want the car for drag racing. It's about the control of the shift, not how fast you can tear through gears. There's not a damned thing outdated about preferring a more engaging driving experience.

lol he called you literate! what a jerk!

Anyway I as I've said before, I assume the same people that want automatics because they are 2% faster are the same people that will be happy to buy the first completely autonomous sports cars. Hey, computers will eventually be better at everything so why even bother steering or looking out windows as long as your 0-60 is faster :thumbsup:

 

[sgrinavi]

I am literate, thanks.

No one who loves manuals cares about a tenth or two slower shift times, because they don't want the car for drag racing. It's about the control of the shift, not how fast you can tear through gears. There's not a damned thing outdated about preferring a more engaging driving experience.

.....

lol he called you literate! what a jerk!

Anyway I as I've said before, I assume the same people that want automatics because they are 2% faster are the same people that will be happy to buy the first completely autonomous sports cars. Hey, computers will eventually be better at everything so why even bother steering or looking out windows as long as your 0-60 is faster :thumbsup:

I have never owed a DD car that wasn't a manual (currently a '14 Cayman S), but I would make an exception for the Porsche PDK. It's brilliant and not just in a straight line - that damn thing knows where you need to be before you do. Nothing short of amazing in the turns.

With that said I would still buy an M over a PDK because I'm old and stuck in my ways, but if I ha to have a PDI for some reason it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I would buy one as part of a weekend/track car fleet (in my dreams), but not as a DD. I'm thinking about getting rid the Cayman S - its a fun car, but as a DD it gets to be a PITA - very small, very light and very low.

...
Also who the hell cross shops a mid engine 2 seater against a boat like an m5?? What the hell planet are these guys from.

I was going to ask the same thing. It's not even on the same planet as an M4, different solar system than an M5/6

 

[Nebor]

I am literate, thanks.

No one who loves manuals cares about a tenth or two slower shift times, because they don't want the car for drag racing. It's about the control of the shift, not how fast you can tear through gears. There's not a damned thing outdated about preferring a more engaging driving experience.

As for it being "down-tuned" (I think you meant detuned), it's more powerful than the base Carrera and when a 3rd party finally does strap a GT4 to a dyno I'm pretty certain they'll find it makes the same HP and torque as a Carrera S (400). After all, he did say, "officially, at least 385".

Edit: As for getting one, I'm going to wait until I can test drive, then I may trade in my Carrera S. Lots of factors there, like interior and ride quality differences (the Carrera is my DD, so those things matter).

You should let Formula 1 know that they need to either straighten out their tracks or go back to manual transmissions, because as it stands, they're doing it all wrong.

The PDK in Sport Plus mode knows when to hold gears, downshift, etc. I've always hated manuals, but now that automatics are practically and technically superior it's like a golden age of driving, IMO.

 

[Nebor]

BTW the configurator is up: http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/cayman/cayman-gt4/

Looks like reasonably equipped is around $105k.

 

[MagickMan]

You should let Formula 1 know that they need to either straighten out their tracks or go back to manual transmissions, because as it stands, they're doing it all wrong.

I can't see how this has anything to do with driving on public roads for enjoyment. I'm not racing against other people, I don't care how my car would do in Grand Prix.

The PDK in Sport Plus mode knows when to hold gears, downshift, etc. I've always hated manuals, but now that automatics are practically and technically superior it's like a golden age of driving, IMO.

Not all cars should be automatics/DSG/PDK, not all should be stick manuals, with sports cars there should be the option for both, however. Nowadays the option for a stick is disappearing, partly this is due to fewer people learning how drive a manual, but it's also due to fuel economy (new EPA and CAFE standards are biting automakers hard) and new automatics are slightly more efficient, due to most simply having more gears.

If you're mad about there not being an optional automatic for the GT4, I hear you, there should be. However, if you're in the camp that wants to see all manuals go away just because you don't like them, go to hell.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Haha bringing F1 into it! Sure PDK is faster, nobody's debating that, but it's not as FUN. Why do I drive a sports car? Fun.

And the World champion of F1? Wants a manual transmission for his road car.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/lewis-hamilton-orders-custom-pagani-zonda-with-760-hp-and-manual/

 

[pauldun170]

Lol at the haters. Hooray for manual!

Oh it's slower than pdk. And I don't care.

I am literate, thanks.

No one who loves manuals cares about a tenth or two slower shift times, because they don't want the car for drag racing. It's about the control of the shift, not how fast you can tear through gears. There's not a damned thing outdated about preferring a more engaging driving experience.

I can't see how this has anything to do with driving on public roads for enjoyment. I'm not racing against other people, I don't care how my car would do in Grand Prix.

Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Have nothing against automatics.
But I have no interest in any car that is equipped with one.

 

[rh71]

Also who the hell cross shops a mid engine 2 seater against a boat like an m5?? What the hell planet are these guys from.

The ones who actually pay $100k for a car once or twice in their life.

 

[sgrinavi]

The ones who actually pay $100k for a car once or twice in their life.

Only the ones that have more money than brains

 

[rh71]

Only the ones that have more money than brains

judging, it's what the poor do best.

 

[Ferzerp]

No one tries to decide between an M5 and a Cayman. I think that poster must be on something.