Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS represents the pinnacle of Porsche's mid-engine sports car range and arguably the purest driver's car in the company's current lineup. Introduced in 2022, it takes the already impressive Cayman GT4 and elevates it to another level entirely, with an engine borrowed from the 911 GT3 and aerodynamics developed with input from Porsche Motorsport.

The star of the show is the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine, designated the 9A2 Evo. This is essentially the same engine used in the 992 GT3, derived from the 911 GT3 Cup race car, and it is a masterpiece. Producing 493 hp at 8,300 rpm with a redline of 9,000 rpm, it delivers a power density of over 123 hp per liter without forced induction -- a figure that would have seemed impossible just a generation ago. The engine features individual throttle bodies, titanium connecting rods, and a dry sump lubrication system.

Mounted behind the driver in the mid-engine Cayman chassis, the GT3-derived engine transforms the 718 into something extraordinary. The mid-engine layout provides a lower polar moment of inertia than the rear-engine 911, resulting in even sharper turn-in and more intuitive handling. Porsche's engineers described the GT4 RS as having the agility of a 718 with the straight-line performance of a 911 GT3.

Power is delivered exclusively through a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission -- no manual gearbox is offered. While purists may lament this decision, the PDK's response time and its ability to keep the engine in its powerband make it the ideal match for the high-revving flat-six. Porsche calibrated the GT4 RS's PDK with shorter gear ratios and more aggressive shift mapping than the standard Cayman.

Aerodynamically, the GT4 RS generates significantly more downforce than the standard GT4. A large fixed rear wing with swan-neck supports, front dive planes, functional NACA ducts in the hood, and a revised underbody produce 25% more downforce than the GT4. The side windows are replaced with lightweight polycarbonate to save weight, and the intakes behind the doors feature exposed carbon fiber louvers derived from the 911 RSR race car.

The chassis has been thoroughly revised with stiffer springs, unique PASM damper calibration, and revised geometry. Ball joints replace rubber bushings in key locations, and the front axle lift system is available as an option. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are standard.

Inside, the GT4 RS features lightweight full bucket seats, Alcantara-trimmed surfaces, and a minimalist approach to luxury. The infotainment system is retained but the emphasis is clearly on driving, with a prominent lap timer and configurable driving mode displays.

The driving experience has been universally praised by the automotive press. The engine's willingness to rev to 9,000 rpm with a banshee wail, the chassis's razor-sharp precision, and the PDK's lightning-fast shifts combine to create one of the most exciting driving experiences available at any price. Many reviewers have called it superior to the 911 GT3 as a pure driving experience, thanks to the mid-engine layout's inherent balance advantages.