Porsche confirms hardcore GT RS
Porsche’s world-renowned GT RS portfolio is about to be expanded with the addition of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the introduction of which will mark the first time the ‘RS’ moniker has been applied to a 718.
Due to be officially revealed next month, few details of baby RS have been locked in so far, however Porsche has confirmed that a camouflaged early production vehicle shod with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres lapped the full Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in 7:09.3 minutes.
The same car completed the slightly shorter 20.6km lap in 7:04.5 minutes – a full 23.6 seconds faster than the standard GT4.
While we’re yet to hear of any concrete figures in terms of power outputs, outright performance and kerb weight, backtracking through the usual RS recipe and examining the GT4 gives us a few insights into the hottest Cayman to date.
Whatever the final outputs end up being, we can be sure the GT4 RS will be powered by a 4.0-litre flat sixcylinder petrol engine with a sky-high redline and a healthy power increase over the standard car.
Given the last-generation 911 GT3 RS boasted a 15kw power advantage over its donor car, it would be more than reasonable to expect a similar power bump for the GT4 RS, which would take the final kilowatt count up to about 324.
Torque should also be up around 10Nm, potentially taking the peak figure to 440Nm in PDK guise.
That extra shove should combine nicely with a 10-20kg weight advantage afforded by the minimalist interior and a few extra kilo-saving measures, not to mention the more aggressive aero features.
The results, according to brand ambassador and development driver Jörg Bergmeister, make the GT4 RS ‘one of the sharpest cars Porsche has ever developed’.
The new-generation 718 is expected to break cover sometime in 2024 or 2025 – right before the Euro7 emissions regulations come into effect in 2026. – Callum Hunter