The Cayman GT4 is one of the overlooked sports cars in the Porsche lineup, considering it offers the same 911 pedigree but at a lower price range. The track conquering GT badge was usually meant for the 911, so it is surprising the Cayman became a GT4. This car does take a lot, though, from the larger 911 GT3. Its suspension uses many parts initially designed for the GT3, and the carbon-ceramic brakes are from similar specifications. Some subtle advancements and quirks will be covered later, but it is fair to acknowledge that the front fascia is more aggressive than the stock Cayman.
The manually adjustable wing also makes it look like a predator. It is not just for the sake of appearance, though. That aero package creates 50 percent more downforce allegedly than the last generation, and there is no effect on drag. That lowering and stiffening results in movement so intuitive it might as well be telepathic. Porsche is reputable for insane handling despite break-necking speeds, but the GT4 does not get enough credit. There are other features as well that are less known but which add to its supremacy.
10 Naturally Aspirated 414-HP Engine
Rather than powertrains with the character of an inline-four or V8 turbo that reduce the individual personalities, the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six gives goosebumps thanks to its dynamic setup.
Rated at 414 hp, the engine is taken from the 911 Carrera S, making it the most powerful Cayman ever made. It also wields finer control over most turbo cars, with significant differences between squeezing and taking stabs at the pedal.
9 Six-Speed Manual Transmission
The PDK transmission will manage an acceleration of 3.7 seconds while its manual counterpart will do 4.2. Therefore, it is technically faster. However, the manual transmission is more engaging as it pulls the driver into the experience with the heavy clutch.
There is also a short-throw box so one can click through the gears at a stoplight. The gear ratios are also understandably long, which is just fine for a grand tourer. The Porsche Cayman GT4, like most sports grand tourers, was not meant to be mainly used for the city after all.
8 Electromechanical Direct Steering
It is a direct steering mode that lives up to its reputation. The direct steering ratio makes the Cayman capable of agile turn-ins and provides the customer with a sporty driving experience. That is without compromising on the levels of comfort.
This steering system of the new Cayman GT4 has a perceptibly more immediate system of ratios compared to that of the previous models. The comfort-oriented Power Steering Plus package is also provided. At high speeds, the steering remains firm, while at low velocities, the steering adjusts for better maneuvering.
7 Great Gas Mileage
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the base Cayman should achieve upwards of 17 miles to the gallon within the city and 23 on the highway. It is above average for a naturally aspirated Porsche. Sports cars are expected to have lower fuel economies, of course.
At the end of the day, fuel consumption is as one expects. If it is driven hard on a circuit, the Cayman GT4 will probably return even fewer miles to the gallon. Though a relaxing drive with long shifts will produce much more forgiving mileage.
6 Direct Fuel Injection
For the first time, Piezo injectors have been utilized for direct fuel injection in a high rev engine. This system splits the process into five injections. The centrally set injectors are controlled by the units which atomize the fuel with pressure reaching upwards of 2900 psi.
The spray pattern of the injectors reduces the chances of droplets forming on the walls of the cylinders and counters the formation of soot. The variable intake system also has two resonance valves that open either individually or simultaneously.
5 Adaptive Cylinder Control
It is part of new technology that increases the engine's efficiency without having to resort to forced induction. The adaptive cylinder control can temporarily pause fuel injection in one of the two cylinder banks during partial loading.
When the engine is not working too hard, perhaps ranging between 1600 RPM and 2500 RPM, and when the torque load is less, the fuel injection to one of the cylinder banks is switched off. At medium and lower loads, that would provide more precision for the injection spray and better fuel-air mixing, which means better emissions.
4 Exhaust Quality
The Cayman GT4 makes an incredible sound that is reminiscent of Porsches with flat-six engines. The difference between it and other Porsche's and brands is because of the engine position and power output. The GT4 belts out a mechanical rasp, which is very aggressive.
It even sounds fantastic with the standard mufflers on, but things are more exciting when the silencer is removed. Not only is it louder, but it is unique because of the configuration of the powertrain. It actually encourages high revving.
3 1.2 G Of Lateral Acceleration
Lateral acceleration works in a transverse manner to the direction the car is moving. It is what the passenger's notice when driving through a bend as the centrifugal force pushes to the outside.
The GT4 sports finer control due to the naturally aspirated setting prompts the driver to go faster around the turns, resulting in the insane G forces that they could be subjected to. Fortunately, the suspension and chassis are tuned for this eventuality making the experiencing thrilling yet completely sustainable.
2 Optional Chrono Package
The features of the Sport Chrono improve the baseline of power and speed for the GT4 in different ways. For example, the system is paired with the PDK transmission to integrate launch control for race-start functions. If Cayman has this package, the steering wheel will include a switch that allows the driver to change the performance profile of the vehicle.
They can choose from Sport, Sport Plus, Normal and Individual. The package also affords the PDK transmission unique and racing-inspired gear-shifting tactics for the fastest possible acceleration.
1 Economic Pricing
The Cayman GT4 has a retail price of $99,200. It has been claimed to be a poor man's Porsche though the 2021 911 does go for the same rate, so that argument is invalid. Similarly, the Boxster's and Cayenne's base models go well below $70,000.
However, the Cayman GT4 is a pedigree, track-tuned animal. Anything short of 100,000 is economical when it's up against competitors like the Ferrari Speciale and the Audi R8. The performance attributes and tech packages also make this supercar a bargain.