Cayman GT4: Where are we up 2 now? Déjà vu Edition

[ralphmusic]

Gen 2 or something else?

Discussed on rennlist, PH, pff etc

Slightly odd mix of bodywork, wheels and rear wing suggest GT4, apparently taken at Weissach.

 

[Motorhead]

Just beat me to it Ralph..!

I was just in the process of composing a note on the original Cayman GT4: Where are we up to now?

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

Jeff,

Is there a German equivalent to DVLA's facility to get basic detail such as engine capacity and gearbox?

Ralph

 

[Motorhead]

Ralph,

Knowing the German ingrained characteristics of thoroughness and documentation, I'm sure that there is. Unfortunately if there is such a facility I don't know about it, but I get your drift - the UK mags get the info on prototypes from the registration mumber.

For what it's worth, I'm sure that the 717/982 GT4 will feature a N//A 4-litre version of the 3.8-litre engine. Being a stroked unit (81.5mm vs 77.5mm with 102mm bore), although it may be more torquey it may have a slightly reduced rev limit - as was the case with the GT3 - but this means that the 3.8-litre head could be carried-over with minor modifications. So, not a "screamer" which many people are hoping for.

As for the gearbox, Shark Werks have shown what's possible with re-gearing but I guess that a lot will depend upon whether or not Getrag can be persuaded to produce a custom 'box with modified ratios at low cost, and bearing in mind that Porsche will want to keep the price sub-£70k. With even more torque on offer, I think this prospect unlikely; although a PDK transmission option is a dead cert.

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

Maybe it's a Cayman "R" with 2.5L F4 with X73 suspension and more aero than 987CR

 

[Motorhead]

That rear spoiler looks a bit OTT for a 718CR Ralph, but the brake calipers look too small for a GT4 (4-pot?).

It looks like a bit of a hybrid with the GT4 side-scoops, rear spoiler and rear diffuser. The front end looks like something out of the Techquipment catalogue, and there's no slotted bonnet either. Maybe they're just checking the aero balance?

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

Info I've gleaned from the web:

[ol][*]The photo was taken in the "mule" parking area, hence the similar looking cars around it.[*]The car seems to have a manual gearbox.[*]The front spoiler is identical to that on the 718 GTS.[*]Side scoops are bog standard 718 versions.[*]The rear diffuser and exhaust configuration matches the one on an all-black Spyder mule spotted in the US recently.[*]Yellow and green emissions stickers on the windscreen show it's not an approved existing engine, otherwise just the green would be displayed (EURO 4 standard).[/ol]Conclusions/questions?

[ol][*]The engines in the next Spyder and hot Cayman will be the same, as we've seen on the 987/981 models (bar a few horses difference here and there).[*]A flat four turbo seems unlikely given the change in exhaust configuration, and the Clubsport is staying NA so an NA engine seems most likely. 4.0ltr version of the current 3.8ltr is the one rumoured.[*]Why test a new rear aero package without the matching front? That doesn't make sense to me unless this car has the final aero configuration.[*]Will it just be called a GT4, minus the '718' branding?[/ol]

 

[ralphmusic]

The emissions sticker has to be affixed inside to lower right-hand edge of windscreen. The sticker in that position looks green to me, so Euro 4 compliant.

Why have two emissions stickers?

 

[Twinfan]

Good question - I'm afraid I don't know enough about it! Something to do with testing a non-approved motor maybe? I agree it looks green and therefore EURO 4.

 

[ralphmusic]

Top left sticker could just be for the local gym... []

I've posted same on the rennlist thread so we'll see what the man from Trier has to say.

 

[Twinfan]

Two emissions stickers on this Cayman GTS mule from a couple of months ago also:

 

[ralphmusic]

Our rennlist man had just posted ...

"They are issued by the plates/car, so at one point this thing probably had a diesel in it. As much as I would love a 4.0L, this does not look like it. All the newer motors are Euro5/6. I'm back to thinking, if a GT4 ever comes, it will be nothing more than a 718 with 3.8 X51"

Is there a Euro5/6 sticker? ... not listed on German emission sticker sites.

https://www.tolltickets.c...ticker.aspx?lang=en-GB

Clearly they are issued by plate/car but so what? The GTS would 99.99999% have a standard engine so we should consider it Green Euro 4 and not be distracted by gym membership parking..

 

[Twinfan]

I don't think the "it once had a diesel in it" argument holds up. Some mules seem to have the two stickers, a Cayenne behind the 718 GT4 has one (although it may be a diesel) as did the Cayman I linked to above. It clearly means something as these three GTS mules have it:

 

[ralphmusic]

As for the X51, a 3.8L with Powerkit would be great as it really helps mid-range torque and keeps power higher up the rev range. It is not a boring engine.

 

[Twinfan]

That's the engine I think most people would want, myself included. Much better than a seriously strangled GT3 engine.

 

[Brian_Innes]

All sounds great.

My money is on a flat 4 engine. Huge potential for tuning torque and bhp at bean-counter friendly budget.

I'll get my tin hat on and the sandbags stacked now.......

Brian

 

[Twinfan]

You're definitely in the (vast!) minority there Brian!

 

[Motorhead]

I have to agree with your observations David. It's probably a red herring re the GT4.

Although the 991 Turbo is still running with a 3.8L capacity, I'm sure that Porsche will give the next GT4 a 4.0L capacity in line with the GT3 (I think that the block's common across the ranges). As I mentioned above, the 4.0L is just a stroked version of the 3.8L with a common 102mm bore which means that the 3.8L heads could be used to reduce costs.

The 718 engine bay may have to be reverse-engineered to 981-spec to accommodate the flat-6 depending upon space and powertrain mount pick-up locations. Mind you, the flat-4 turbo package is a big lump so space may not be a problem.

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

I don't think the "it once had a diesel in it" argument holds up. Some mules seem to have the two stickers, a Cayenne behind the 718 GT4 has one (although it may be a diesel) as did the Cayman I linked to above.

My diesel Merc has a Green German emissions sticker

 

[ralphmusic]

All sounds great.

My money is on a flat 4 engine. Huge potential for tuning torque and bhp at bean-counter friendly budget.

I'll get my tin hat on and the sandbags stacked now.......

Brian

Putting my suspension plus some USA sourced aero on a tuned 450PS 718 Cayman S does not seem such a bad idea.

Power upgrade somewhat cheaper than buying a new engine...