Porsche reveals new 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4
By khulekani / on June 19th, 2019 / in Car News, featuredBy Staff Reporter
Porsche has added a new 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 to the 718 range. For the first time ever, the 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 share a technical base, which includes the newly developed four-litre, six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that is combined with a six-speed manual transmission.
The new naturally aspirated four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine which is based on the family of turbo engines in the current 911 Carrera model series makes 309 kW of power and delivers a maximum torque of 420 newton metres at between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm. Both manual transmission sports cars break the 300 km/h barrier, with the 718 Spyder having a top speed of 301 km/h, whilst the 718 Cayman GT4 can reach 304 km/h. Both models accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds from a standing start. The correlated fuel consumption of the mid-engine sports cars is 10.9 l/100 km according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
The new 718 Cayman GT4 gains from a comprehensively improved aerodynamics concept. It produces up to 50 percent more downforce, without adversely affecting drag. The newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer creates space in the rear section for a functional diffuser, which accounts for at least 30 percent of the downforce at the rear axle in the 718 Cayman GT4. The fixed rear wing produces around 20 percent more downforce compared with its predecessor. This corresponds to an additional downforce of twelve kilograms at 200 km/h. The front section, which is optimised in GT style, maintains the aerodynamic balance with a large front spoiler lip and air curtains. The latter calms air flow along the front wheels.
For the first time ever, the 718 Spyder benefits from the high-performance GT chassis of the 718 Cayman GT4. With its superior cornering dynamics, its further refined lightweight spring-strut front and rear axles make use of racing technology. The Porsche Active Suspension Management damping system with 30 mm lower suspension lowers the centre of gravity and improves lateral dynamics potential. Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock further enhances the longitudinal and lateral dynamics, cornering performance and driving pleasure. The GT4 also comes with the option of a Clubsport package which includes a rear steel roll bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point seatbelt on the driver’s side.
The high-performance brake system in the 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 provides consistent braking that is suitable for track driving thanks to. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is also available as an option. As a new feature, the 718 Spyder now runs on ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres specially adapted by Porsche.