The Porsche Cayman has always had the reputation of being the best driver-focussed sports car anyone can buy. It utilizes a mid-engined platform, alongside a rear-wheel-drive system, and as a result, had an uncanny fun factor associated with it.
As time passed, however, people yearned for more power to be added to the Cayman, and so the Cayman GTS 4.0 was born, but even that wasn't enough to fulfill Porsche purists' needs. Porsche inevitably ended up conceiving the Cayman GT4, and for the most part, we thought it would be the most hardcore Cayman to ever be built. Porsche had one more trick up their sleeves still.
It's called the Cayman GT4 RS, and it's one of the most bonkers creations to ever leave the Stuttgart factory, and here's why it's far superior to the world-famous Porsche 911.
10 It Still Feels Like Fever Dream
Sometimes we look back at the history of automotive engineering, and throughout the lineage, we spot some cars that never should have existed in the first place. Cars like these include the V10-powered BMW M5 and the record-breaking Bugatti Veyron. They weren't close to being considered bad cars, but we still can't believe automakers were brave enough to build them, and of course, there aren't many of these over-the-top cars available anymore...
The Cayman GT4 RS is the exception though. Porsche really went all out and gave the people what they wanted: A Cayman with the styling of a 911 GT3 RS, and the heart of a GT3.
9 A Naturally-Aspirated Mid-Engined 4.0-Liter Flat-Six Powers The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
That's right, the powertrain brewing behind the driver's seat is no teensy turbocharged unit anymore, Porsche abandoned all their morals and borrowed the engine that's planted into their 911 GT3 and transferred it over to the Cayman, albeit a tad down-tuned.
The naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six that gives the Cayman GT4 RS life sends all of its 493 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Even more brilliant is the fact that this powertrain has a ridiculous redline of 9,000 rpm, equal to that of a Lexus LFA.
8 The Sound Of The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
Modern cars all sound a bit neutered, and to be fair, even the Cayman GT4 RS does when it's stationary. However, once you're sat behind the wheel, and have that glorious flat-six's symphonic 9,000 rpm redline to play with, everything changes.
There is one secret ingredient to the Cayman GT4 RS' exquisite sound, and that's the position of the air intakes. Since the rear three-quarter windows have been deleted, and are used to house air intakes, they make music right behind your head instead of at the engine's position.
7 The Extravagant Styling
The Cayman GT4 adopted many characteristic styling cues from the previous-generation 911 GT3, so it comes as no surprise that the Cayman GT4 RS took its inspiration from the 911 GT3 RS and GT2 RS.
Don't be fooled into believing it's all for cosmetic purposes though. The gargantuan swan-neck rear spoiler, countless vents, rear- and front diffuser, as well as magnesium wheels all play a vital role in the car's aerodynamic personality. After all, it produces 25 percent more downforce than the Cayman GT4.
6 The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS' Handling
In a straight line, the Cayman GT4 RS already exceeds expectations since it can reach 60 mph from a stop in just 2.9 seconds, but around corners is where this German brute shines even more. Its swan-neck rear spoiler is manually adjustable, providing you with the exact amount of downforce needed, and so are the front- and rear diffusers.
As a result, the Cayman GT4 RS can produce just as much downforce as a 911 GT3 when traveling at 120 mph. Couple those intricate aerodynamics with a curb weight of just 3,200 lbs, and a rewarding rear-wheel-drive system, and you're left with one of the best handling cars ever produced.
5 The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Boasts Better Value For Money Than A 911
At the time of writing this article, a brand-new base model Porsche 911 will set you back at least $105,000, and you'll have to cough up at least $175,000 if you want to set foot into a 911 Turbo model. The Cayman GT4 RS on the other hand will set you back just north of $140,000.
To compare the two cars might seem like a sin since the 911 is meant for a more luxurious ride – the power is just a bonus – while the GT4 RS is meant for someone with an inner race car driver suppressed inside of them. The facts don't lie, however. Paying more than $30,000 extra to receive a more ordinary-looking car with a 0-60 time three-tenths of a second faster doesn't seem like the wisest choice to us.
4 The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Is A Track Monster
The Cayman GT4 might not be as outright powerful as the 911 GT3, but around a track, these power figures are irrelevant since the 911 GT3 also goes beyond the $170,000 price margin. So, how do their times compare on the 'Ring?
The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 went around the Nurburgring in 6:55.34 in late 2020. The Cayman GT4 RS on the other hand went around the track in an impressive 7:04.51 – just 10 seconds slower. For a further point of reference, that time is equal to the one set by the track-bred Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro.
3 The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Is The Ultimate Porsche For The Time Being
When we look back at some of Porsche's unbridled supercar names like the Carrera GT comes to mind, but unfortunately, these cars are well worth over seven figures today, and in comparison, the Cayman GT4 RS seems like an absolute steal.
Sure, it might not be as quick around the 'Ring as a 911 GT3 but is definitely more hardcore and unforgiving. At the point of writing this article, the only Porsche able to dethrone the GT4 RS as the wildest Porsche is the new 992-generation 911 GT3 RS, but we'll have to wait a tad longer before it reaches dealership floors.
2 The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Will Be One Of The Last Gasoline-Powered Porsches
While Porsche themselves have yet to confirm whether or not the GT4 RS will be the last gasoline-powered Cayman, the future doesn't all too bright for the mid-engined ICE-powered sports car.
It's definitely a sad sight to see, but luckily Porsche is hard at work at creating some sort of synthesized gasoline alternative, whilst branching out into the EV space. Perhaps we'll soon see a small, nippy sports car with the same overall personality as the Taycan?
1 The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Is A Future Investment
Only 7,000 examples of the Cayman GT4 RS will be built, and when taking that into consideration, the $140,000 price tag seems even more tempting. But when we have a look at past limited-edition track-orientated Porsches like the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, we can see a pattern follow.
These rare, ludicrously fast Porsches tend to skyrocket in value over the years. Perhaps comparing a GT3 RS to a Cayman may be a bit extreme, and to that we say, have a look at the 987 Porsche Cayman R. When new, it had a price tag of $67,250, and today these are selling for beyond $90,000 already.