Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 And 718 Spyder Launched In Malaysia

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The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder are here in Malaysia. Officially launched recently by Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), these two range-topping performance models of the 718 family are built for the driving enthusiast.

The Cayman series is the only line-up in the Porsche family to feature a mid-engine layout. Both the Cayman GT4 and Spyder are sports cars that share a technical base for the first time and promise unadulterated driving pleasure, while giving you a choice of body styles.

Cayman GT4 vs Spyder

GT4: More Downforce, Same Drag

The 718 Cayman GT4 features an exterior design with a downforce-oriented aerodynamic concept. The car has been honed to produce up to 50% more downforce without adversely affecting drag for outstanding efficiency. The evolutionary updates are extensive and help to improve aerodynamics. One of the notable changes is the newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer. This helps create space in the rear section for a functional diffuser, which accounts for a significant 30% of the downforce at the rear axle of the 718 Cayman GT4.

Further, the fixed rear wing also achieves around 20% more downforce compared with its predecessor. This equals to an additional downforce of twelve kilograms at 200 km/h. Meanwhile, the front section has been optimised in the GT style. It maintains the aerodynamic balance with a large front GT4-branded spoiler lip and air curtains. The latter helps with air flow along the outside of the front wheels.

Spyder: Sports Car With Lightweight Convertible Top

The new 718 Spyder is made for driving pleasure, roof up or down. Its aerodynamic concept has been fine-tuned, with the front featuring new honeycomb air intake grilles designed to increase airflow by reducing obstruction. The front Spyder-branded spoiler lip and the central air intake direct air upwards through the outlet forward of the front lid to assist in reducing lift at the front axle.

This is further complemented by the golf-ball like profiled surface below the front end to guarantee a constantly low drag coefficient. Unlike the GT4, the 718 Spyder possesses a distinctive rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds over 120 km/h. This helps to reduce lift for better driving stability. With the functional diffuser, this is also the first model in the Boxster family to generate aerodynamic downforce at the rear axle.

The Similarities

Naturally Aspirated Engine

These updated 718 models feature a completely redesigned 4.0L six-cylinder boxer engine based on the same turbo engine family in the 911 Carrera model series. As a result, there is a considerable bump in power output compared to its predecessors i.e. 35 hp and 45 hp more for the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder respectively. This new engine produces 420 PS @ 7,600 rpm, and 420 Nm of torque @ 5,000 – 6,800 rpm. These high-revving mid-engine sports cars can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, and reach a top speed of 301 km/h.

One technical highlight is the new adaptive cylinder control. During part-load operation, it temporarily interrupts the injection process in one of the two cylinder banks to reduce fuel consumption. Also for the first time ever in a high-revving engine, piezo injectors are used for direct fuel injection. Each injection process is split into five individual injections to support a complete combustion process, making it as emissions-friendly as possible. In the meantime, a variable intake system with two resonance valves ensures optimum gas exchange in the cylinders.

To complement the powerful engine, the six-speed manual transmission has a dynamic rev-matching function. This guarantees a more emotional and sporty driving experience. Combined with the linear power delivery and the immediate response of a GT engine, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder will appeal to the sports car enthusiast who appreciate a high level of agility and an almost intimate proximity to the centre of power.

Sporty Exterior And Interior

The 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder’s designs are honed for dynamic performance on and off the track. Depending on which body style you choose, you will find a prominent front spoiler lip with either ‘GT4’ or ‘Spyder’ lettering below the new honeycomb air intake grilles. The rear of these vehicles further emphasise the high-performance status of the vehicle i.e. the 718 Cayman GT4 has a large one-piece fixed rear wing with side plates and aluminium wing supports while the 718 Spyder has a recessed rear spoiler between the tinted tail lights that pop up automatically at 120 km/h to increase rear stability. Additionally, the cars come with 20″ wheels, side blades with recessed model lettering and dark-tinted front lights above the side air intakes.

Meanwhile, the sportiness is carried into the interior. The instrument cluster with the analog rev counter in the centre provides all essential information to the driver in a split second. This is accompanied by decorative trims in brushed aluminium and decorative stitching to create contrasts. The doors are trimmed with pull loops to give it the motorsports feel.

GT Chassis Optimised For Dynamics

For the first time, the new 718 Spyder shares the same high-performance GT chassis as the 718 Cayman GT4. This means that both share similar agile handling and driving stability at high speeds as the chassis provides the ideal foundation for maximum performance and pure driving pleasure. Its lightweight spring-strut front and rear axles are further refined with the use of racing technologies.

The direct connection to the chassis is partially by means of ball joints that ensure a firm connection between the body and chassis. This results in precise, sharp and direct driving behaviour, elevating the handling characteristics of these thoroughbred mid-engine sports cars. The height, camber, toe angle and the anti-roll bars of the 718 Cayman GT4 can be adjusted to the demands of any race track. Concurrently, the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping system with a sports setup, and 30 mm suspension as standard, brings the centre of gravity of these models significantly closer to the ground and improves lateral dynamics potential.

Further, the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) operates with even greater sensitivity and precision here but can optionally also be deactivated in two steps for more driver control over the handling. The Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock further enhances the longitudinal and lateral dynamics, cornering performance and driving pleasure.

Getting A Grip

The high-performance brake system in both the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder provides consistent braking that is suitable for track driving, thanks to the large aluminium monobloc fixed-caliper brakes. They are internally ventilated and perforated for optimum cooling. Also available as an option is the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB).

Moreover, the 718 Spyder now runs on ultra-high-performance tyres (UHP) specially adapted by Porsche. These road-approved sports tyres ensure optimum grip on dry roads thanks to their size.

Sound Appreciation

The Porsche sports exhaust system escalates the aural experience by providing an even more powerful sports car sound at the press of a button. With the two tailpipes separated to the left and right of the rear diffuser, it allows for the generation of a sporty, throaty, boxer sound based on engine or road speed.

More Options

The 718 Cayman GT4 can be equipped with the optional Clubsport package. With its components derived from professional motorsports, the Clubsport package provides additional protection on the racetrack. This includes a rear steel roll bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point seatbelt on the driver’s side.

The optional Spyder Classic interior package lends an extravagant look to the interior while also being reminiscent of historic racing cars. The two-tone leather interior in Bordeaux Red/Black gives an especially unique and high quality look and feel to the entire interior of the 718 Spyder.