Porsche Cayman GT4: The Pinnacle of Mid-Engine Performance

TL;DR: The 718 Cayman GT4 is the analogue purist’s sweet spot—414 hp, manual or PDK, sublime balance—while the GT4 RS turns the wick up with 493 hp, more downforce, and a feral soundtrack. Both deliver race-bred precision and real-world usability; the RS just pushes deeper into track territory.

Model Lineup and Overview: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 vs GT4 RS

Two flavors, one proven mid-engine canvas:

• 718 Cayman GT4 (standard): 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six, 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK. Everyday livability meets scalpel-grade handling.
• 718 Cayman GT4 RS: The track-focused apex—bigger aero, more revs, wilder intake note, and the most potent Cayman motor to date. PDK only.

Think of GT4 as the analogue hero you can daily; GT4 RS is the road-legal love letter to lap time.

Engine & Drivetrain: Porsche Cayman GT4 and GT4 RS

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Powertrain

• Engine: 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six
• Output: 493 hp @ 8,400 rpm; 331 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm
• Transmission: 7-speed PDK dual-clutch (RWD)
• Fuel system: Direct injection

What it feels like: throttle response with race-car crispness and an intake roar that migrates from spine-tingle to hair-raise as the revs stack to the red.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Powertrain (Standard)

• Engine: 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six
• Output: 414 hp @ 7,600 rpm; 309 lb-ft @ 5,300 rpm
• Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK (RWD)

What it feels like: the classic Porsche NA cadence—clean, linear, and eager—paired with gearing that invites you to wring it out and write your own symphony between corners.

Performance Figures: Porsche Cayman GT4 vs GT4 RS

GT4 RS

• 0–60 mph: 3.2 sec (0–62 mph in 3.4 sec)
• Top speed: 196 mph

Standard GT4

• 0–60 mph: 4.2 sec (manual), 3.9 sec (PDK)
• Top speed: 188 mph (approx.)

In short: the RS is incendiary quick and composed at the brink; the standard GT4 remains properly rapid without losing its daily manners.

Aerodynamics & Handling: Mid-Engine Porsche Precision

Downforce, sorted

• GT4 RS vs. standard GT4: +25% downforce
• GT4 RS vs. previous GT4 generation: +50% downforce

How it’s delivered: a larger fixed rear wing, vented front aero elements, and an optimized underfloor that tidies the airflow and plants the chassis as speeds rise—yielding high-speed stability that feels bred from long nights at Weissach.

Chassis and braking character

• Track-focused damper tuning with stiffer anti-roll bars and springs for the RS
• Lightweighting measures (e.g., pared-back cabin trim) for response without harshness
• Powerful braking with available ceramic composites to shrug off heat on circuit days

Mid-engine provenance pays dividends: near-ideal balance, clean rotation on trail-brake, and that sweet, progressive slip angle you can surf.

Expert Reviews & Driving Impressions: Porsche Cayman GT4 and GT4 RS

• Top Gear (GT4): “one of the most complete sports cars on sale,” praised for precision, balance, and everyday usability.
• Goodwood (GT4 RS): engine character dubbed “astonishing,” with ravenous revs, immediate response, and a feral soundtrack.
• Exotic Car Hacks (GT4 RS): lauds the blend of track focus with real-world approachability—hardcore without the hardness in daily life.

Consensus: Cayman GT4 and GT4 RS keep the Cayman’s famous poise while dialing up involvement—one for the purist’s road, one for the stopwatch.

Pricing & Market Position (US & UK)

Model	United States	United Kingdom
718 Cayman GT4 RS	from $162,350	from £125,500 (tested near ~£153,411)
718 Cayman GT4	just above $100k (typical spec ~ $105k)	from ~£77,500

Value lens: The RS commands a clear premium but repays it in downforce, damping sophistication, and engine theatre. Against rivals, it’s a scalpel where many are sledgehammers.

Comparison with Previous Generations: Porsche Cayman GT4 Lineage

• First-gen GT4 (2015–2019): 3.8L NA flat-six, 385 hp; manual-first spirit with a cult following born from balance and feel.
• 718 GT4 (2020–2023): 4.0L NA flat-six at 414 hp, sharper response, higher redline; 0–62 mph as low as 4.4 sec (manual).
• 2024 GT4 RS: adds power, aero headroom, and chassis intent that nudges Cayman into near-supercar lap territory—without sacrificing innate composure.

Clubsport side note: the factory racer goes further with stripped interiors and extreme aero; the RS threads the needle—track kit with road civility.

Conclusion & Next Steps: Porsche Cayman GT4 Ownership Path

The 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is the driver’s handshake; the GT4 RS is the full-blooded bow. One is a road-trip partner that devours B-roads; the other turns circuits into playgrounds with lap-time credibility and a race-bred voice that ricochets off pit walls.

Next steps:

1. Book back-to-back test drives of GT4 and GT4 RS to feel the bandwidth for yourself.
2. Use Porsche’s configurator to price your build and options against seat time you actually plan to use.
3. Cross-shop prior-gen GT4 values; the lineage is strong, and the fundamentals have aged well.

Key Takeaways

• GT4 RS is the most powerful Cayman yet: 493 hp, 331 lb-ft, 196 mph, and 0–60 in 3.2 sec.
• Standard GT4 remains the analogue purist’s choice: 414 hp, manual or PDK, and 0–60 in 3.9–4.2 sec.
• Aero gains are significant: RS delivers +25% downforce vs. GT4 and +50% vs. previous generation.
• Pricing reflects focus: RS from $162,350 (US) and £125,500 (UK); GT4 substantially less.
• Reviewers agree: balance, feedback, and engine character make both standout driver’s cars.

FAQ

Manual or PDK for the standard GT4?

Choose the manual for mechanical intimacy; pick PDK for quicker laps and daily ease. Both retain the Cayman’s tactile core.

Is the GT4 RS too hardcore for the road?

It’s intense, yes—but reviewers found it surprisingly usable when not flat-out. Think “focused but friendly,” especially on smooth roads.

What’s the defining difference on track?

Aero and revs. The RS’s extra downforce and higher-strung engine broaden the envelope, especially in high-speed sections and heavy braking zones.

Sources

• Car and Driver – 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Specs and Review: https://www.caranddriver.com/porsche/718-cayman-gt4-rs
• Top Gear – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Review: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/porsche/718-cayman/gt4
• Goodwood – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Review/Test: https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/news/2022/02/porsche-718-cayman-gt4-rs-review/
• Exotic Car Hacks – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and GT4 RS Buyer’s Guide: https://www.exoticcarhacks.com/blog/porsche-718-cayman-gt4-gt4-rs-buyers-guide/
• Top Gear – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 (2025) Review: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/porsche/718-cayman/gt4-2025-review