Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is 500 hp strong monster

Highlights

• First RS model in 718 range
• Superlative of the 718 Cayman GT4
• 500 hp from naturally aspirated 4.0 six-cylinder
• Lighter and bloody fast
• March 2022 in the Netherlands

Like an insane Nero, this supreme 718 Cayman GT4 RS dominates the 718 range. The new top-of-the-line version of the 718 range looks poised to set fire to the tracks in every respect, although the 718 Cayman 718 GT4 RS owes its spectacular image not only to its power.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS is the first Porsche from the 718 line to be awarded the magical two-letter combination RS. The new swayer is based on the now sub-topper, but certainly not childish 718 Cayman GT4, a variant with a 420 hp and 420 (430 Nm with PDK) Nm strong atmospheric 4.0 six-cylinder boxer engine. The same six-cylinder engine finds its way to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, although it is considerably more powerful in the RS version. The boxer engine, always tied to a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission, produces no less than 500 hp and 450 Nm in the GT4 RS. 80 hp and 20 Nm more than the 718 GT4 without RS addition.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

The 4.0 behind the front seats can be pulled up to 9,000 rpm. That promises an intense bowl of noise. If you give that machine good luck, you should be able to accelerate the 718 Cayman GT4 RS to a speed of 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. In comparison: the non-RS version is 0.5 seconds ‘slower’ on the 0-100 sprint. The top speed of the GT4 RS is 315 km/h, which means that it will pass the RS-less GT4 at top speed with a speed difference of 13 km/h.

Despite the fact that the 718 Cayman GT4 already looks pretty fierce, this brand new RS version is quite easy to distinguish. Where the GT4 and all other 718 Caymans have small side windows, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS has extra air intakes. Furthermore, we see cooling openings in the ‘front cover’ and on the front screens and the aerodynamic extras, especially on the corners of the front bumper on the RS version, are a bit bigger. In addition, Porsche gives the 718 Cayman GT4 RS a so-called ‘gooseneck’ rear spoiler like the big brother 911 GT3 RS also has. The modified spoiler work gives the car up to 25 percent more downforce than that of the GT4. More adjustments? Of course. Porsche gives its new RS child modified dampers, springs and stabilizer bars and says that the chassis is a notch stiffer than that of the GT4. That is promising.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

The abbreviation RS, which stands for Rennsport, also entails a weight reduction, according to tradition. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS is 35 kilograms lighter than the GT4 it is based on. This lower weight is made possible, among other things, by the arrival of various carbon fiber reinforced plastic parts such as the hood and the front fenders. Porsche has also applied ‘lightweight carpet’ and has saved on the use of sound-insulating insulation material. The rear window is made of lightweight glass and the door panels with textile pull loops and luggage nets instead of storage compartments also save a few grams.

Effect

Do the extra horsepower and lower weight compared to the 718 Cayman GT4 have any effect? Of course. Development driver Jörg Bergmeister completed a lap of the 20.6 kilometer Nordschleife of the German circuit in the 718 Cayman GT4 RS in 7 minutes and 4.51 seconds. To put that into perspective: the 718 Cayman GT4 without RS addition, which was previously the absolute top version of the 718 range, was no less than 23.6 seconds ‘slower’ on the Eifel circuit.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Not satisfied yet? Then tick off the options list for the Weissach package that brings, among other things, titanium exhaust tailpipes, a titanium roll cage and various carbon fiber extras to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Those who want to go all the way can only get this in combination with the Weissach package for special 20-inch wheels made of magnesium. For real track work, Porsche immediately has the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport ready, the track-only variant that will be seen in action during countless races next year. Prices of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS are not yet known. Porsche does report that the superlative 718 Cayman will be at dealers from March 2022.