LA MOTOR SHOW: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS packs 500hp punch

Porsche has revealed both road and track versions of its most powerful Cayman ever and the good news is they borrow their 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat six directly from the Porsche 911 GT3.

Packing a wholesome 368kW (500hp) of power and revving to no less than 9000rpm, the mid-mounted big-bore boxer engine in the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is 59kW more powerful than the standard Porsche 718 Cayman GT4's 309kW engine.

Combined with lower final drive gearing, 450Nm of peak torque – up 20Nm – and a kerb weight of just 1415kg (35kg less than the equivalent seven-speed dual-clutch PDK auto-equipped GT4, according to the DIN standard with a full tank of fuel but no driver), the racy two-seater has a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.83kg/hp.

The result is claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.4 seconds – a full half-second less than the standard GT4 PDK (3.9sec) – plus a top speed of 315km/h (up from 302km/h) and a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time that’s 23.6 seconds faster.

But the PDK-only 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is also the most expensive Cayman ever, with a price of $300,800 plus on-road costs – about $90K more than the Cayman GT4 ($210,100 plus ORCs).

And the race-ready Clubsport version, which was also revealed ahead of the LA Auto Show today and will also arrive Down Under around mid-2022, has a starting price of 196,000 Euros ($A304,192) – before taxes.

For the road-going Cayman GT4, weight-saving measures including a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet and front wings, less sound insulation and a lightweight rear window, floor carpet and door panels with fabric door-pulls.

Replacing the rear side windows are air intakes, increasing airflow to the mid-mounted engine as well as induction noise, while a fixed swan-neck rear wing design is also borrowed from the 911 GT3.

Also available to order now is an optional Weissach package that applies a carbon weave finish to the wing, bonnet, lower side intakes, airbox cover and wing mirrors, and also adds a titanium rear roll cage, titanium exhaust outlets, Race-Tex material for the upper dash, a large Porsche logo for the rear window and the option of forged magnesium – rather than aluminium – wheels (both 20-inch).

All Cayman GT4 RS models feature front wheel-arch vents, underbody panelling with a connected rear diffuser, a multi-adjustable front diffuser and a new front spoiler lip with flow-around side blades, which in Performance mode generates 25 per cent more downforce than the GT4.

The RS-spec Cayman also rides 30mm lower than the standard 718 and incorporates ball-jointed suspension mounts and specific spring, damper and anti-roll bar rates, resulting in “more precise and direct handling”, says Porsche.

Buyers will receive a unique Porsche Design Chronograph 718 Cayman GT4 RS watch and Australian-spec vehicles will add auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, rear ParkAssist, a reversing camera, digital radio and Light Design Package as standard.

The race-ready Clubsport version, meantime, ups torque to 465Nm and is claimed to be at least two per cent quicker than the 3.8-litre race car it replaces.

Among a host of motorsport upgrades, it scores a factory-welded full roll cage, adjustable Recaro racing seat with 2023-compliant six-point harnesses, safety nets, fire extinguisher system, built-in air jack system, 115-litre FT3 safety fuel cell, quick-release bonnet and the option of two exhaust systems to compete at tracks with stricter noise limits.