2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4: Flat Sixes and Perfect 10s

According to rumors, there have been discussions within Porsche about whether to build the new 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 with 6 and 4-cylinder engines, as previously planned. It looks like the innovators have won, because the latest versions will be equipped with a powerful flat six. Hooray! And that flat six makes the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and Spyder the most powerful 718s to date.

What is the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4??

The 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder sit right on top of what Porsche is technically about to reach. From an engineering standpoint, a mid-engined car is much better than a rear-engined car. Why are we talking about this?

Porsche is a German company. German design is famous for restraint, cool technicality and logic. Porsche also made its legendary mid-engined 911, as well as a rear-engined car, according to one of the directors. But then the latest and more traditional design concept was abandoned.

This means Porsche has a lot of marketing momentum. And this is the iconic 911 as the pinnacle of technical art in the automotive industry.

Accordingly, discussions about whether to make cars with mid-range engines were dropped back in the 1990s, when directors from outside the Porsche family were abandoned. The brand reflects not just a technical idea, it is an individual design concept for high-performance sports cars. And its essence is in the location of the engine.

The answer, apparently in support of the original Porsche concept, is yes. By 2020, the Cayman GT4 and Spyder will come with a 4.0-liter flat-six that produces 414 hp. and 309 lb-ft of torque. That is, technically speaking, this is a lot, given the size of these cars and the rather large power of the new large engine. Definitely the new 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is such a small, elegant yet very powerful beast that handles perfectly on the track.

2020 Porsche 718 Spyder. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Torque and active suspension

This engine produces a maximum of 8000 rpm, equipped with a six-speed gearbox. In this regard, the new gearbox is a nice update to the old one with an "Auto Blip" feature that automatically matches the gearbox and engine speeds when downshifting. Nice feature, but if it's too complicated, it can be turned off. The car has a standard torque vectoring mechanical differential for optimal traction and control at high speeds.

The car accelerates from zero to 60 miles in 4.2 seconds. The vMax feature guarantees a steady 188 mph for the GT4, while the Spyder can "only" hit 187 mph. Not much, but enough.

The benefits don't end there. Both vehicles feature Porsche's tracked active suspension control system with adaptive dampers, auxiliary springs on the rear axle and adjustable ride height. Ground clearance, by the way, is 1.18 inches lower than a standard 718 Boxster or Cayman. The suspension is fully adjustable for those buyers who, say, AutoX want to ride a mule on the weekends. Thus, camber, toe, ride height and various anti-roll bar settings are available upon request.

The new car was developed by Porsche Motorsport. The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder are the most powerful models in the 718 range. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Directly from the spare parts basket

Porsche removed the front axle from the 2018 911 GT3 and installed it on the new models. 380mm cast iron rotors front and rear are standard. But if you have the money, install optional Porsche ceramic composite brakes. They will save a whopping 50 percent on weight compared to their cast-iron counterparts and also provide the perfect stop in all weather conditions. The carbon ceramic rotors are 410mm long at the front and 390mm at the rear.

The tires are gigantic in size, strung on silver and platinum rims, reaching speeds of 245/35 ZR 20 in front-wheel drive and 295/30 ZR 20 in rear-wheel drive. Of course, there is ABS, but there is also an electronic stability and traction control system specially designed for the 718s. Yes, ESC and TC can be used too, along with other systems. When buying, keep in mind that the 718 Cayman GT4 can outrun its predecessor on the toughest racetrack by more than 10 seconds.

Corporate identity and identification marks

The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and Spyder stand out visually. They are separated from their lesser-known brethren by the front edge of the spoiler. Engineers decorated it with a central air outlet in front of the front luggage compartment lid. This improves downforce and cooling. The rear lid has two "dynamic fairings" and a flared rear spoiler on the convertible. The rear diffuser is completely new and gives the impression of a sports exhaust system installed on a car.

The GT4 has a manually adjustable rear wing and side air intakes with additional side vanes to improve aerodynamics.

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 interior trim. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Step inside the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

The interior is also fresh - black with bright trim. New GT Sport steering wheel (14.1″ diameter). The shift lever was shortened by engineers for a more confident and intuitive feel. Sports Plus seats received standard raised side bolsters for hip and back support. This is what you need on long trips. Alcantara trim on the steering wheel rim, gear lever and lower dash. The Cayman GT4 is trimmed inside with brushed aluminum inserts, while the 718 Spyders are painted in body color.