Cayman GT4: Where are we up to now?

[Motorhead]

Precisely cap'n. So here's something I picked up off a PH thread: One "factoid" I picked up [on a Stuttgart FV] and of which I was not aware is that ony 911 and Boxster are built there. All Cayman production is now at a VW plant in Osnabruck . You learn something every day. Also, production is limited to 200 cars per day which is current maximum capacity as they work a 2 shift system and due to proximity of residential areas are not permitted to introduce a third (night) shift. Might explain why some models are indeed limited production ! Sounds as though it will be impossible to ramp up GT4 production to meet demand then....unfortunatley. Jeff

 

[rob.kellock]

But on the plus side, they have the capacity to make lots of new Spyders []

 

[flat6]

I haven't done the maths on how many Cayman's Porsche produces versus how many they need to supply to order, but the Cayman was always Porsche's best kept secret (i.e. one of the best cars on the planet that they chose not to promote). I just assumed they were still pumping out more cars than to order, selling the surplus as so-called ex-demonstrator models or ready built cars with an attractive discount. So couldn't they pull some slots of surplus cars to slot in more GT4s should they need to?

 

[johnnyspyder*]

Sorry if I have confused you but the 200 car per day limit is at Stuttgart not Osnabruck - don't know if a limit applies there. So loads of GT4's (you wish?) and few Spyders !!!

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks for the clarification John. Hopefully there's scope for increasing production at Osnabruck otherwise Porsche may be wishing that they'd kept the Finnish Valmet line open to meet demand for Boxsters and Caymans. Jeff

 

[Laurence Gibbs]

http://youtu.be/ZH5_JK_kSo8 Enjoy [] http://youtu.be/9Fzu5zL-DQ8 for both camps [] http://youtu.be/7OVqpMbWN4Q And finally

 

[MrDemon]

I am not sure I want it now lol scary all these thoughts which go though ones head. looks like I'll have to find a way to fund it while keeping the R and run both for a month to make sure I keep the right car.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks Laurence. #1: Great stuff. Location chosen to get maximum exhaust reberveration from the mountainside. Cameraman's car on the wrong side of the solid/dotted white line on some tight corners...must have shut the road or had a spotter perhaps. #2: Of course, Porsche had to let the GT3 lead in the end. #3: Blah, Blah, Blah.... Now that cat's out of the bag, how long before we get the mag "first drives"? Apart from D, any others care to share whether or not they've secured a car and, if so, their spec? Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

From a PH blog: Porsche boss Matthias Muller introduced it [the GT4] as a crossbreed between a 911 GT3 and a Cayman GTS but didn't say a whole lot more, merely that the GT family would grow. I did manage to grab a quick word with Muller about Cayman production numbers and he said it's not a limited run as such and the only cap on numbers will be capacity. Hope then for anyone who's waiting on an order. Possibly dashed by the next Porsche man I spoke with, who admitted they may have been a little pessimistic in their forecasting. Jeff

 

[MrDemon]

http://porsche.gomexlive.com/ press full launch at 10.30 uk time (I think) today, prob more RS stuff than GT4 stuff. but worth a look see

 

[Motorhead]

The usual press conference marketing-speak, but didn't I hear Muller say that there will be a track version of the GT4 later this year? Jeff

 

[MrDemon]

yes pure race track model to come., I take it he means real race, ie not road legal. the RS pic

 

[Motorhead]

That RS looks very nice MrD - I like the body/wheel colour contrast. A true Porsche GT4 race car.....things are looking up.! Jeff

 

[daro911]

Crank up the volume[] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH5_JK_kSo8

 

[fbr]

Here's a link to a handy summary of the basic specs and details of the 981 GT4 https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-models/cayman/981/gt4/ Frank

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks Frank. Some good pics there and good to see another colour featured other than yellow and blue. To me, all the aero appendages give the car a bit of a "kit-car" look [the side scoops and the non-aero 'diffusor-look' rear under valance in particular], but I suppose that's always going to be case in a track-oriented version of a production car in which the design generally looks well resolved IMO. Interesting to see how the GT3's 16% superior power/weight ratio translates into it's better performance figures. Jeff

 

[MrDemon]

not as much wing, splitter and diffuser as this baby though would love this in my garage in that colour

 

[Steve Brookes]

ORIGINAL: http://youtu.be/9Fzu5zL-DQ8 for both camps []

GT4 catches back up in the twisties at the end....are Porsche trying to tell us something? []

 

[Motorhead]

Steve, I'm sure someone [most probably in the US] will get around to stuffing the GT3 engine in a GT4, then we'll really find out.! Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon not as much wing, splitter and diffuser as this baby though would love this in my garage in that colour

Amazing stuff..! And not a Halfords label in sight...although the Union flag on the rear wing looks a bit OTT. It would have been good to see the GT4 offered in a similar colour. A missed opportunity. Jeff