2022 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Unveiled As The Most Extreme Cayman

Porsche's 718 has just gotten a whole lot meaner. Much nastier. The new GT4 RS is anything but tame, with 493 horsepower blasting out of its naturally aspirated Boxer six at 9,000 rpm. It's anything but slow, with those 4.0 litres powering just 1,415 kilogrammes for a weight-to-power ratio of 2.83 kilos per horsepower. And, at $166,600, this most expensive of 718s is anything but inexpensive.

However, with an official Nurburgring time of 7:04.511 — 23.6 seconds faster than the non-RS GT4 — that tiny sum buys you a 718 that borders on supercar-like performance. Seriously, not long ago, Ferrari's fire-breathing 488 GTB couldn't get within spitting distance of the legendary Nordschliefe's seven-minute-flat time.

N/A Engine Derived From The 911 GT3, Sporty Chassis

The GT4 RS is powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces 493 horsepower (368 kW / 500 PS) and torque of 331 lb-ft (449 Nm) while revving to 9,000 rpm. This means it's only slightly detuned compared to the larger 911 GT3's 503 horsepower (375 kW / 510 PS) and 347 lb-ft (470 Nm), but it's a significant improvement over the Cayman GT4's 414 hp (309 kW / 420 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm).

It's here. Check out the 2022 @Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS in all its glory. 😎👉https://t.co/wdN9vBbSAB pic.twitter.com/cBi7CH46cO

— Motor1 (@Motor1com) November 17, 2021

The engine in the GT4 RS is exclusively paired to the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, which has shorter gearing for the occasion, unlike the GT4, which is also available with a manual transmission. The driver can still shift gears manually with the shift paddles or the new shift knob, which is located high on the centre console.

The additional 79 horsepower (59 kW / 80 PS) combined with the modified gearbox and lower weight has a considerable impact on performance metrics. As a result, the Cayman GT4 RS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.2 seconds, matching the Porsche 911 GT3 and shaving 0.5 seconds off the Cayman GT4. The top speed has now been increased to 196 miles per hour (315 kilometres per hour).

The adjustable suspension is track-focused, as you'd expect, with tweaked dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars. The suspension is connected to the body via ball joints, and the car sits 30 mm lower than a conventional 718 Cayman.

Lower weight, as well as visual tweaks aimed at improving cooling and aerodynamics

The large rear wing with a swan-neck design inspired by the 911 RSR and the road-going 911 GT3 instantly distinguishes the 718 GT4 RS from the normal GT4. It also receives a pair of RS-specific air intakes in place of the rear quarter windows, which, when combined with the redesigned side intakes, assist cooling for the more powerful engine.

The more prominent front splitter, which integrates the side fins, the gills on the front fenders, the NACA-style intakes on the bonnet, the adjustable front diffuser, and the redesigned underbody/rear diffuser, add to the dramatic appearance. All of these upgrades allow the GT4 RS to create up to 25% more downforce than the GT4, allowing it to corner faster.

The GT4 RS is no exception to the RS badge's association with lightweight components. The US-spec variant weighs 3,227 pounds (1,464 kilogrammes), which is 49 pounds (22 kilogrammes) less than the GT4 with PDK. The CFRP front fenders and hood, the lightweight glass used on the rear window, and the austere interior door panels with fabric handle and storage nets have all contributed to the 6.55 lbs/hp (2.97 kg/hp) weight-to-power ratio.

The Weissach Package adds carbon fibre parts (front lid, intakes, air-box lid, mirror caps, and rear wing), titanium exhaust pipes, Race-Tex dashboard upholstery, and optional Magnesium wheels with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres to replace the stock 20-inch forged aluminium wheels for even less weight.

In the United States, the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is expected to arrive in summer 2022, with prices starting at $141,700 plus $1,350 for delivery, processing, and handling fees, and in the United Kingdom, at £108,370 RRP. The track-focused sports car's owners will have exclusive access to a chronograph built by Porsche Design.

Given the specifications and timing of this model, we expect it to become an instant future classic, and we won't be surprised if secondhand market prices are higher than the MSRP because supply will likely become a problem. The track-only GT4 RS Clubsport model will also debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in addition to the road-going GT4 RS.