Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder: natural, pure driving pleasure maintained

The sports car world is succumbing to the latest technologies that aim to eradicate both naturally aspirated engines and manual gearboxes, but there are still brands that remain loyal to both elements. In this situation stands Porsche, a company that has repeatedly shown it is capable of delivering pure, natural sports cars, and which once again does so with the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder. Both models stem from a discipline we already saw applied in the previous generation, but this time they take it to the next level while always respecting the essence that defines them and makes them so special.

Porsche has the ideal recipe for a perfect cocktail, and it is reflected in both sports cars. With a more refined and updated design, both the 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder follow in the footsteps of their recently renewed siblings, without tampering with the components that keep the names that represent them fully intact.

Manual and naturally aspirated: nothing more is needed

One of the greatest concerns among enthusiasts of the Stuttgart firm is whether it will remain faithful to naturally aspirated engines and manual gearboxes. Here is its clear and concise answer. The 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder arrive to shake up the market and prove that it is still possible to build pure vehicles despite the strict anti-pollution regulations that watch over our wellbeing and that of the planet.

Both models use a six-cylinder boxer engine capable of producing 420 CV of power and 420 Nm of torque, figures delivered at the top of the rev counter, near the redline, where its soundtrack sings at full force, between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm. To manage this power, the engineers of the German brand have opted for a six-speed manual transmission that not only conveys sensations but also delivers performance on par with a contemporary sports car.

With this generation, Porsche has made both vehicles break the 300 km/h barrier, with the 718 Spyder reaching 301 km/h and the GT4 reaching 304 km/h as top speed. Conversely, the time it takes both to reach 100 km/h is the same, 4.4 seconds, a figure that already enters supercar territory. But the German firm has also considered the consumption of its two offspring, which is why it has devised a system that temporarily cuts fuel injection to two of the six cylinders, with the aim of offering more efficient driving.

An aerodynamics up to the task

One of the aspects most carefully worked on by Porsche has been the aerodynamics of both vehicles, a fundamental component for delivering optimal dynamic behavior. Although both the GT4 and the Spyder feature significant aesthetic improvements, these are not merely visual but also practical, since many of the angles and new parts we see have been designed to fulfill a specific aerodynamic function.

Now, the 718 Cayman GT4 is capable of producing 50% more downforce than its predecessor, a substantial and vitally important improvement. The new functional diffuser can apply 30% more force to the rear axle, a task the rear wing also performs by applying the remaining 20% of force to ensure the German sports car stays firmly planted on the road.

In the case of the 718 Spyder we find a very similar situation which, thanks to an equally functional diffuser and a wing that deploys from 120 km/h, makes it the first model in the Boxster family capable of inducing aerodynamic load on the rear axle. But it is not only the aerodynamics that have been improved in both models; the chassis has as well.

Thanks to technology applied in the competition models, it has been possible to considerably reduce weight in both the GT4 and the Spyder. The presence of Porsche Active Suspension Management will allow users to lower the height of both sports cars by 30 mm, thus offering a lower center of gravity. At the same time, a mechanical rear limited-slip differential will sweeten the whole, further benefiting the behavior of both models.

Last but not least, the 718 Cayman GT4 will offer as an option the Clubsport package, a package that includes a roll cage, a fire extinguisher, and six-point harnesses alongside bucket seats. But all this sportiness also needs to be stopped, which is why Porsche offers on both vehicles the option of carbon-ceramic brakes, a very worthwhile upgrade for those who visit the track regularly.

For now, the price and number of units to be produced of both the 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder remain unknown. However, Porsche has already announced that both models can be ordered, so if you are considering buying either of these two sports cars, it is advisable to hurry and visit your nearest Porsche dealership.