Cayman GT4: Where are we up to now?

[Motorhead]

According to the latest edition of Car magazine, the 2016 981.2 range will comprise:

[ul][*]Boxster/Cayman 240bhp 2.0-litre flat four turbo [*]Boxster S/Cayman S 300bhp 2.5-litre flat four turbo[*]Boxster GTS/Cayman GTS 370bhp 2.5-litre flat four turbo[/ul]If true, those sound disappointingly low outputs, although I suspect that each engine will feature a fat torque curve as part compensation. In some markets there could also be an entry-level cheaper Cayman to help boost sales which consistently fall below that of the Boxster. Could this be an end to Cayman variants being more powerful than the Boxster equivalents?

No mention of the 981.2 GT4 which presumably will still feature an updated version of the N/A flat-6. I suspect we'll have to wait a while [2017?] before that appears with ~400hp.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

Rather than posting them here, FYI if anyone's wanting to view endless pics of GT4s in different body colour/wheel colour combinations it's best to go here:

[link=http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=231&t=1492081&mid=0&i=0&nmt=GT4+colours+&mid=0]http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=231&t=1492081&mid=0&i=0&nmt=GT4+colours+&mid=0[/link]

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

Some resources for those interested in the GT4

USA Owners Manual

[link=http://www.planet-9.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=387]http://www.planet-9.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=387[/link]

and Technical and Service Information

[link=http://www.planet-9.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=389]http://www.planet-9.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=389[/link]

 

[MrDemon]

do you have a Mp12C manual and option list ...

 

[ralphmusic]

Auto only I'm afraid []

 

[ralphmusic]

GT4 video from PCA here..

[link=https://www.pca.org/news/2015-08-11/video-pca-spotlight-cayman-gt4-technical-analysis]https://www.pca.org/news/...gt4-technical-analysis[/link]

 

[Motorhead]

Well sourced Ralph. For us techies, an interesting walk-through of the GT4 suspension set-up showing the significant differences compared with the standard Caymans. Although aware of it, I was surprised by the extent of the rear end structural stiffening, the rear subframe and ARB support in particular.

Jeff

 

[chrisH]

GT4 video from PCA here..

[link=https://www.pca.org/news/2015-08-11/video-pca-spotlight-cayman-gt4-technical-analysis]https://www.pca.org/news/...gt4-technical-analysis[/link]

I expect you will be checking out PCA for some suspension mods then Ralph?

 

[ralphmusic]

Chris,

As I said way back mine is not a GT4 wannabe (it is just a better road car suitable for occasional track use).

Aside from GT4 sway bars that offer more adjustability (inc the front) than the H&R bars I've fitted and the interesting comment about the stability of the standard rear suspension under cornering loads.. (which reminded me of this thread

[link=https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=829878]https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=829878[/link] ),

I don't see much that would offer real benefit over what I have done other than upgrading to dampers that allow lowering and corner weighting, and maybe top mounts for even more camber so I can run Trofeo or Cup 2 tyres.

When is your GT4 due for delivery?

Ralph

 

[ian harvey]

Had my PEC day yesterday in the yellow car (carbon seats and brakes, no air con!) guided by experienced racer Barry Horn (nice guy, great instructor).

Really enjoyed the format and I'm pleased to say that I loved the car, without exception. Never noticed the clutch and the seats were great - I didn't have a problem getting in or out even though I did my back-in a couple of days before.

The car pulls really well, pulling hard from 3000 rpm up to the red-line. the brakes are almost beyond belief, will take some adjusting to.

Barry uses a style and lines that are totally alien to me, coming from a 20-odd year old 964. Braking incredibly late into and sometimes through the apex, on the power and away, really efficient but still huge fun.

The steering was a pleasant surprise btw. Plenty of weight, always knew where the car was heading..I really hope mine comes with the Michelins and not the Dunlops. Barry didn't argue with the concept of firming-up the rear arb's and softening the front, recognising that it was a potentially popular option rather than the slightly safe standard set-up.

So, unlike some, I'm entirely delighted to be getting (and keeping) my GT4, 6 weeks to go.

 

[Motorhead]

Good to hear that you weren't disappointed with the GT4 Ian and hope that the car lives up to expectations when you've had a chance to drive it on the open road too.

Have you spec'd PCCBs or did you reckon that the steel discs will be more than adequate?

Not too long to wait now.

Jeff

 

[MrDemon]

3 people inc me have said poor brakes on the PEC car, so interesting to see some one say "brakes are almost beyond belief"

I guess it depends what one has come from. you have to brake though the apex to get it to turn in !! hence rear ARB going to hard to help that a bit, who wants to trail brake a mid engine car ?

brake late is always the track way

the PEC car is PCCB so we are all driving a CCB car any way Jeff.

 

[SteveJC]

Following the very different comments of the car, I am even more looking forward to my drive in early September.

As anyone driven the GT4 in wet or damp conditions ?.

SteveJC

 

[MrDemon]

yep it rained for the last 30 minutes of my drive, this is when the steering does loose that extra bit of feel the 987.2 has.

In the dry every one has been impressed inc me, the steerings better than expected, in the wet not so good, but good enough ;-)

 

[Motorhead]

3 people inc me have said poor brakes on the PEC car, so interesting to see some one say "brakes are almost beyond belief"

I guess it depends what one has come from. you have to brake though the apex to get it to turn in !! hence rear ARB going to hard to help that a bit, who wants to trail brake a mid engine car ?

brake late is always the track way

the PEC car is PCCB so we are all driving a CCB car any way Jeff.

As someone said earlier D, they'd had an issue with PCCBs in the past where they'd lost their bite. It was down to glazed pads after some hard track use - I doubt that the PEC's GT4 has had an easy life since they acquired it..! Maybe they've changed the pads since you drove the car.

Jeff

 

[ian harvey]

Hi Jeff

Steel brakes for me and more than happy with my choice.

Mr D - I've done loads of track days and know all about late braking. I've sat in with many a good instructor and driven/passengered in some extreme cars; GT3 tarmac rally car, race Cayman, championship winning RS Escort, GT3 RS, M3 race car, assorted 964RS derivatives (Cup cars, NGTs, development cars), the list goes on. None of them stopped as well as the GT4 and none of the drivers used the lines that Barry prefers. I suspect all the above cars would spin or run very wide if they were braked so late and hard into the apex and beyond even when the corner continued to tighten. As instructed, I tried it and it works but it is very odd compared with my previous experiences hence the comment about adjustment (and yes, I can/do trail brake when appropriate). I'm simply reporting my findings for those who may be interested, I'm not trying to comment on my abilities on track but I can say that Barry is impressive. And fast. And different.

I will track my new car but I also want it to be an all-rounder, commuting aside, and my experience yesterday suggests it will be exactly that.

 

[MrDemon]

this is a massive claim esp as race cars have slicks which make braking performance mega.

"championship winning RS Escort, GT3 RS, M3 race car, assorted 964RS derivatives (Cup cars, NGTs, development cars), the list goes on. None of them stopped as well as the GT4"

Some ones review from Yesterday again and with Barry !

"The yellow car also had PCCB but as others have said, they're not that impressive. My instructor for the day (Barry Horne - ex Porsche Carrera Cup Champion" etc etc

 

[Motorhead]

D, I think it just goes to show that everyone has their own viewpoints and opinions - and sometimes they're diametrically opposite to others'..! - based upon their own experiences on both road and track. One man's meat, etc. Where subjectivity is concerned, no-one is right or wrong.

My vehicle refinement background means that I'm probably much more sensitive than the average driver to things like powertrain and road-induced noise and vibration - boominess, heterodyning, gear whine, driveline shunt, clutch thrash, steering nibble, etc. - as well as squeaks and rattles. Some things which you may not be aware of could drive me nuts..!

Jeff

 

[MrDemon]

thing is a car brakes how a car brakes in a certain distance , so opinion how ever subjective does not really come into it.

I think a lot of people drive a GT car and get this wow factor for an hour and look over the less good bits.

to say a Road tyre car which weighs 1400kg out brakes a race car which would be on slicks, puts peoples comments right out the window as far as views go for me, esp when at least 5 people now have been disappointed with the PEC cars brakes.

May sound harsh, but to list of a load of race cars to back up a very week claim is water off my back ;-)

 

[Motorhead]

I understand what you're saying D but unless I got hold of the wrong end of the stick, I understood that people were complaining about the feel of the PCCBs rather than their performance. I would expect that the majority of purchasers will have stuck with the steel brakes, so comments about the ceramics brakes are, perhaps, irrelevant. 991 GT3s have been running around on the road and track for a while now; have owners made any complaints about the brakes?

The problem with all test drives is that they tend to be of short duration, and inevitably it's the initial impressions that stick with you. It's only once you've purchased the car and driven it in normal traffic conditions - and possibly on track - that its good points and its foibles come to light. I think that it's the longer-term experience which is most important.

Jeff