The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder represent the most powerful and engaging variants of the 718 line-up yet created.
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Offering a blend of pure, unfiltered driver's car character and track-oriented performance, both models are powered by a new 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six engine developing 414 horsepower and 309 lb.-ft. of torque. An entirely new sport exhaust system designed specifically for the car underscores the exciting flat-six sound of the engine, which can rev up to 8,000 rpm. Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
The six-speed manual offers an "Auto Blip" function that automatically matches gearbox and engine speeds during a downshift. This feature can be individually activated or deactivated at the touch of a button. The GT4 is capable of a top track speed of 188 mph, while the Spyder can reach 187 mph. True to their Motorsport roots, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder share a track-bred Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) setup with adaptive dampers, helper springs on the rear axle and a ride height that is 1.18 inches (30 mm) lower than a standard 718 Boxster or Cayman.
It also allows for manual adjustments of camber, toe, ride height and anti-roll bar settings. The front axle is taken from the 2018 911 GT3, while the rear axle is a specific design for the GT4 and Spyder. The brakes on both models are adopted from the 911 GT3. The standard grey cast iron rotors measure 380 mm front and rear. The optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system features ceramic composite rotors measuring 410 mm in the front and 390 mm at the rear, providing a weight savings of approximately 50 percent from the cast iron equivalents.
At the rear, a standard mechanical limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) help maintain optimum traction. The GT4 and Spyder are fitted with specifically designed 20-inch wheels shod in UHP tires measuring 245/35 ZR 20 at the front and 295/30 ZR 20 at the rear. ABS as well as electronic stability (ESC) and traction (TC) controls have been specifically calibrated for the cars and, as is typical for a GT model, ESC and TC can be switched off in two stages. ■
