PORSCHE CAYMAN GT4
Seemingly forever, the 911 has been Porsche’s ‘Top Dog’ for ultimate sports car performance, while those models below could only gaze through the glass ceiling. Sure there was the odd exception, like the limited, lightweight-ish 987 Cayman R and the more focussed 981 Cayman/Boxster GTS, but pure GT status was always dangled, but never delivered on.
But ‘boom’ in 2016 Porsche smashed the glass ceiling with the launch of the Cayman GT4 and things were never quite the same again. And in a seemingly contentious move, supply was drastically limited, thus ensuring immediate cult/rarity status.
Hardcore from the outset, the Cayman GT4 was initially available as a six-speed manual only, Porsche having seemingly learned from the hoo-hah of the PDK only 991 GT3 debacle. Engine wise the GT4 got a Powerpack enhanced 3.8-litre, flat six, with 380bhp. Performance was a given, with a top speed of 183mph and 0-60mph in 4.2 secs.
Very much track focussed the GT4 featured the 991’s uprated front axle and a sports PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) set up, that kept the chassis/damping pinned down, but not quite at the expense of ultimate ride comfort. Although for on-road masochism, there is the ‘Sport’ setting. Save it for the track only, we say.
Further enhancing the chassis, were 20in, lightweight wheels, booted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. Griptastic in the dry, but be wary in the wet…
THIS EXAMPLE
With just 4600-miles in six-years, there’s no need to be precious about adding a few more to this stunning example.
Quite how many strings the first owner of this Cayman GT4 had to pull, we’re not sure, but he certainly ticked the right boxes spec wise. Firstly, is there a better colour than white for a track focussed Porsche? It is, after all, Porsche’s default factory motorsport finish.
An extended range fuel tank, means you’ll be able to hit Spa (and from there, you might as well go on to the Nürburgring) on one tank and lap to your heart’s content. Well it deserves to be used, right? And those full carbon bucket seats (from the 918 Spyder) aren’t for driving to the shops, nor is the Sport Chrono pack, with its Porsche Track Precision App and lap time trigger.
Not that this example is without its comforts. Full leather, Alcantara and carbon pack lift the interior ambiance, as does a full PCM (Porsche Communication Management) set up, with navigation, and Sound Package Plus.
ON THE ROAD
One of the best mid-engined chassis set up at any price point and lesson in mid-engined dynamics from Porsche’s uber talented engineers, you feel as though you’re sat right at the pivot point of the chassis. Pin sharp steering wriggles with feedback and there’s never any doubt as to what the front end is doing, while grip from the rear is prodigious.
Ride is taught, with iron fist damping keeping the body firmly under control, but never is it harsh.
Power? Plenty thank you, but its useable allied to the Caymans size. Oh, and the gearbox is a delight.
IN SUMMARY
A rare opportunity to buy the first of the GT Caymans and experience one of the best driver’s cars at any price. It deserves to be used, so promise us you will.
- 256 Manually retractable exterior mirrors, with automatic dimming
- 264 Left exterior mirror glass, convex
- 285 Right exterior mirror glass, aspherical
- 340 Wheel rims painted in basic colour
- 674 "Vehicle Tracking System" preparation
- 170 Acoustic package RoW
- 594 Molded headliner Alcantara rooflining
- 620 Bi-Xenon plus dynamic cornering light, Black
- 276 Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror
- 085 Extended Range Fuel tank, 64-litre
- 877 Sports steering wheel, Alcantara
- 655 Steering column with mech. reach/height adjustment
- IY2 Model year period from week 45 to week 22
- 153 Middle radiator
- 672 -2008 PCM 2, 2009- PCM 3 Offroad navigation
- 473 20" Cayman GT4 wheel
- UX6 TPM valve, Silver
- 022 Black-coloured instrument dials, instrument cluster
- 025 Black-coloured instrument dials, stopwatch
- 035 Cayman GT4
- 061 Version for Great Britain
- 071 EU country version
- 099 Right-hand drive version
- 130 Control and indications in English lettering
- 140 Dynamic engine mounts (PADM)
- 195 Battery, 70 Ah
- 211 Licence plate holder version 3
- 220 Locking differential 40%
- 268 Rain sensor
- 288 Headlamp washer
- 373 Bucket seat, 918 Spyder, left
- 374 Bucket seat, 918 Spyder, right
- 426 Without rear window wiper
- 440 Antenna diversity
- 444 Anti-theft lock, wheel bolts "THATCHAM"
- 475 "PASM" electronic damper control
- 480 6-speed manual transmission
- 482 Tire Pressure Monitoring TPM, 433 MHz
- 490 Sound Package Plus
- 492 Headlights for left-hand traffic
- 521 Tilt sensor
- 529 SportDesign exterior mirror
- 534 Theft security system, 433 MHz
- 536 -07 Alarm siren and tilt sensor
- 08- Alarm siren
- 555 Black seat belts
- 567 Windscreen tinted, upper part darker coloured
- 573 2-Zone Automatic Climate control Air conditioner
- 581 Luggage Net in Passenger footwell
- 605 LED daytime driving lights
- 608 Garage door opener "Homelink" 433 MHz
- 610 DVD navigation, "Europe package"
- 619 Mobile phone preparation (BLUETOOTH) without console
- 621 12-V socket, passenger's side, footwell
- 630 Interior light design package
- 640 Sport Chrono Plus package
- 643 Track app
- 652 Without sliding/tilting roof
- 657 Power steering
- 665 -2008 PCM 2, 2009- PCM 3 basic module incl. radio
- 7MM Emissions Concept Eu 6 Plus
- 802 Sycamore package, light (matt satin finish) (wing supports in black)
- 806 Exterior Package in black (HIGH GLOSS)
- 810 foot mats
- 870 Universal multimedia interface
- 951 Seat covers front, Alcantara/leather/leather
- 975 Alcantara interior
- 981 Leather equipment, without seat covers
- 991 Steering wheel airbag module in leather
- EGA Carbon Fiber Interior Package i.c.w leather interior
- P11 Full Bucket Seats
- P13 Automatically Dimming mirrors with integrated rain sensor
- P23 Porsche Communication Management (PCM) incl. Navigation Module
- XGB Decorative dashboard trim, carbon
- XHM Centre console trim, carbon
- XLF Sports exhaust system
- XLM Shift lever, Alcantra
- 523 Immobiliser, 434 MHz
- XWC Door panel trim in carbon
