718 Cayman GT4 is here – at long last.!

[Motorhead]

Ralph,

Agreed they should be able to squeeze an extra 20PS from that engine without resorting to expensive GT3 components.

The rear window grilles are a bit of a puzzle. I would have thought that the side intakes with scoops should be more than adequate for feeding the engine. Perhaps it’s just an experimental fitment, or maybe they’re looking at homologating something for the race car?

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

I've no idea if and when the GT4 RS will materialise but the 718-series has a way to run (as late as 2023?), so I would expect later rather than sooner, and we need to see the introduction of the PDK GT4 beforehand which most probably won't appear until late 2020.

At least the PDK and RS offerings will deflect a few potential GT4 buyers in that direction and maybe free up some places for those who are only interested in the manual car. Unfortunately the sceptic in me says that I'm just being over-optimistic.!

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

GT4RS - just the one pass. Looks pretty stable through those curves

[tube]https://youtu.be/d6tGbct9-nE?t=10[/tube]

 

[Twinfan]

Definitely PDK...

 

[Motorhead]

Yes, most certainly.

Oddly enough the up-change on the first (race?) car sounds more like a manual, although clearly it can't be if it's a race car. Also note the unusual ducting(?) around the rear window area on that car.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

I was at the Hatfield Centre today (can't believe I've had the CS for 10-years!). It's a very large Centre - part of the Porsche Retail Group - and a sales rep said they'd only had 4 GT4s and 3 Spyders in this initial batch.

He also confirmed the arrival soon of another F6-engined 718 to be called the GTS-6, positioned above the F4T version.

Jeff

 

[geoff lane]

Jeff

I think they have done well from what I hear, I'm told Tewkesbury only have 3 and Exeter only 2 GT4's this year.

All the signs suggest both the GT4 and Spyder will be very good and move the game on from the previous models.

 

[Motorhead]

Agreed Geoff.

I would think that Hatfield probably had one of the biggest allocations. I see that a couple of posters on PH have mentioned allocations of 18 GT4s and 7 Spyders at one Dealership and 30 of each at another, the latter for delivery 1st April next year; although I'll believe all that when I see it.!

The good thing is that it looks as though we should be getting some useful on-road and on-track reviews from buyers (rather than from the press) out there in the not too distant future. I'm sure that many of them will be trading-up from 981s, so we should get some interesting comparisons.

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

I see that a couple of posters on PH have mentioned allocations of 18 GT4s and 7 Spyders at one Dealership and 30 of each at another, the latter for delivery 1st April next year; although I'll believe all that when I see it.!

Read the delivery date again, Jeff...

 

[Motorhead]

Oops..! Brain fade there Dave ... but in fairness it's a bit early for an April Fool's Day. []

The first poster's supposed allocations of 18 GT4s and 7 Spyders could be correct, but seem a little optimistic to me. We'll have to wait and see if that's typical cross the whole of the Porsche Dealership network.

Jeff

 

[geoff lane]

My GT4 is scheduled for late Nov from Tewkesbury and as I say they have 3 this year.

I have gatecrashed the PCGB Xmas party for 992/991/997/Macan on the 7th Dec and hoping to have the car for then.

On the basis I've owned 997 and 991 have managed to get an invite.

I have not had any news on delivery changes yet so the car should arrive mid Nov and I want to have the spray film and ceramic coating before collection so I think I will be lucky to get everything through for then but here's hoping.

 

[Motorhead]

Geoff,

Hadn't realised that you'd secured a slot - that's really good news. Interested to hear what spec you've gone for if you'd care to share it.

Spray film? A PPF alternative I presume? I seem to recall reading something about it elsewhere but would be interested to hear your reasons for taking this route.

Hope the delivery process goes smoothly.

Jeff

 

[geoff lane]

Hi Jeff

Yes lucky to get an early car in fact probably lucky to get offered a car at all, its my first brand new GT car so I have gone to town a bit as it is probably the last NA car and may therefore be a keeper (I've said that before) so I am really looking forward to getting it.

This is the code

http://www.porsche-code.com/PLKN7JG0

There is a lot of forum talk about numbers mostly exaggerated in my opinion, I cannot see the numbers some are stating being manufactured, it to me does not make long term sense from a Porsche perspective as I have said on another forum but time will tell.

I hope it will be a special car from a driving point of view, it seems the early signs are good, the 981GT4 in its standard form was very good and this will hopefully move the game on a bit, fingers crossed.

The spray film will be done by Litchfields who are very close to Tewkesbury OPC and looking at cars already done and the spray process when Iain Litchfield showed me around it seems a slick process, good finish with the main advantage being there are no edges that can lift.

The cost is similar and it was recommended by my OPC.

Will soon be starting to count down the days already hoping Boris is not allowed to do a no deal Brexit.

 

[Motorhead]

That’s a very nice spec Geoff. I had a Clio Williams 2 in blue with gold wheels - a fantastic little car, and I always liked the colour combination. Looks as though gold wheels could be making a comeback.

Despite the naysayers, I’m sure that it’ll be a great car to drive and that the new engine in particular will be a significant improvement over the 3.8L in the 981.

I did a bit of background reading on the spray film and will be interested to hear your comments on completion.

Something positive to take your mind off Brexit for the coming month at least, and who knows what the outcome’s going to be regarding vehicle import tariffs? It’s out of our hands anyway.

Jeff

 

[snowy999]

Chris Harris in Top Gear out today in their annual performance car review.

Not much on the GT4, but without giving away the whole story they didn't rate it in their top 3, nor the Maclaren 720S.

Usual reasons we have heard - gearing, not as raw/exciting as 981 GT4 and clearly limited to avoid it competing with the GT3 RS. Acknowledges that its a hauntingly good car in may ways.

Snowy

 

[ralphmusic]

I was at the PEC this morning driving the German registered yellow PCCB car. I was able to take it out on the road to see whether the suspension was more compliant than the the 981 version. It was and like before there was not much difference between normal and sport. I suspect this is due to the extra damper stiffness in sport not kicking in below a preset G loading, just like the DSC PASM replacement system that I have used on my last car. The sound for me is fine, perhaps on a long journey it might not be so good for some but I’ve come from a 200 cell manifold system which static was 104db so I am probably used to louder interior exhaust noise. The chap who was taking over the car for the afternoon session said he thought it was quieter than the 981 from the outside, although I was hardly at higher revs on the PEC circuits. Much less understeer, PCCB’s to me had a rather dead pedal feel, but I’m not used to them and again was not getting much heat into them. For those that want to fit harnesses, they do not attach to the “roll cage”, they are secured to the firewall. The carpet has pre-cut slits, presumably only on the Clubsport pack cars. Not sure what the point of the Clubsport pack is, other than posing. There are much less expensive harness bars available. The leather on the entry side of the driver’s LWB was already showing sign of wear - need to add protectors I think.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks for that Ralph. Did you actually drive on the road or was your experience purely on the PEC roads? I'm rather surprised that the PEC haven't yet received a UK-spec car, but then GT4 deliveries appear to be slow. Probably explains why there haven't been any full road tests in the mags - no press cars yet?

A pity that a 981 GT4 wasn't available for comparison, but at least you have the long-term experience with your much modified 981 CS on which to fall back.

I'm with you on the Clubsport pack whose benefits seem rather dubious to me when compared with the downsides of additional weight and the annoying squeaks and rattles some owners mention.

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

On the road, the same route I went with the 981 GT4 a few months ago.

I asked for a road registered car but they said they didn't have one. But when I got there I told my consultant what I wanted, he said "we can do that" and got permission to take a German registered RHD which had a week left to run on its 6 month free period of use on foreign plates. No idea whether it'll go back to Germany or be re-registered in UK.

 

[Motorhead]

I seem to recall that you've moved-on your 981 CS Ralph? Based upon this drive, are you tempted to take the plunge when the PDK car arrives at around this time next year?

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

I seem to recall that you've moved-on your 981 CS Ralph? Based upon this drive, are you tempted to take the plunge when the PDK car arrives at around this time next year?

Jeff

Jeff,

I’ll probably get my speedos on...