Porsche has revealed its new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The mid-engined racer is based on the latest 718 Cayman GT4 RS road car. The company began offering the Cayman GT4 Clubsport of the 981 generation in 2016, with a total of 421 units prior to 2018. The next-generation model, which was based on the 718 Cayman GT4, debuted in 2019, with around 500 units produced to date. Porsche notes that one of the reasons for the strong demand has been the Cayman’s low running costs. The use of proven series production technology combined with racing-specific components significantly reduces the costs for customer teams.
According to Porsche, the most significant change compared with previous iterations is the 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, which was taken directly from the 911 GT3 Cup race car and develops 493bhp – 74bhp more than the previous GT4 Clubsport model. Furthermore, the standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) fitted to the car now uses all seven forward gears, rather than six. All gears feature shorter ratios than in the previous model.
Porsche states that, depending on the track and series-specific regulations, the GT4 RS Clubsport can achieve lap times that are over 2% quicker than the previous model. The homologated vehicle is track-ready ex-factory and can be used in SRO racing series around the world without further modifications.
“We have incorporated our experience of the last three years of running the previous GT4 Clubsport, as well as customer wishes, into the development of the new car,” said Michael Dreiser, manager of sales and distribution at Porsche Motorsport. “Faster lap times combined with a further improvement in driveability offer our customers a competitive product for the upcoming racing seasons in GT4 class racing competitions around the world.“
The 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine is almost 18% more powerful than the 3.8-liter engine that was used in the previous model. Thanks to an optimized air intake, maximum power is achieved at 8,300rpm – 800rpm higher than the previous engine. The new engine revs up to 9,000rpm. It develops 465Nm at 6,000rpm instead of the previous 425Nm at 6,600rpm. The result is a much wider usable speed band, which makes driving the car much easier for pro racers and amateur drivers alike.
Modifications to the chassis have also improved the handling. Porsche notes that the damper technology has been revised from the ground up to improve responsiveness and body control. Upgrades include the use of two-way-adjustable shock absorbers and the addition of adjustable sword-type anti-roll bars front and rear. Vehicle height, camber and toe are also adjustable, and three different spring rates for front and rear axle are now available.
The bodywork features front dive planes, and an extended front spoiler lip increases downforce at the front axle. Wheel arch vents in the wings, inspired by the 911 GT3 R, and air curtains are specifically designed to calm the air turbulence around the front wheels, while the fully enclosed underbody optimizes airflow to the diffuser at the rear of the car. The swan-neck rear wing has also been given a 20mm-long Gurney flap and an adjustment range extended by two additional stages compared with the previous model.
The last 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport was the first-ever series production race car to use body parts made of renewable natural-fiber composite material. In the case of the new GT4 RS Clubsport, Porsche says that even greater use of this material is made in the vehicle, with the doors, hood, wings, aerodynamic components at the front end and the steering wheel now made from natural-fiber materials.
