Quickest Porsche Cayman is set to arrive in Singapore early 2022, priced starting from S$630k without COE

STUTTGART, GERMANY

After more than a decade of resistance, Porsche has now given the mid-engined Cayman, also known as the Porsche 718, the RS treatment, beginning with stuffing the 4.0-litre flat-six engine taken from the Porsche 911 GT3 into the car.

The was never an ultra-high performance RS variant of the Cayman for the longest time because observers noted that Porsche did not want to take the focus away from its iconic rear-engined sports coupe, the 911. Yet it seems now there has been a big change of heart, and the 718 Cayman has joined the big leagues with the new GT4 RS.

For Singapore, it’s been confirmed that the new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS can now be ordered at a base price of S$628,488, excluding COE. We’re guessing that deliveries will happen in the first quarter of 2022.

A noteworthy engineering choice is that instead of up-rating the current Cayman GT4’s 4.0-litre engine, the Porsche engineers have decided to work with the 911 GT3’s powerplant instead. In the new 718 GT4 RS it puts out 493 horsepower, 79hp over a standard 718 GT4, but slightly less than the 510hp in a 911 GT3. For drivers that swear by internal combustion engines, here’s more good news. The stratospheric 9,000 rpm redline of the new car matches that of the 911 GT3.

It only comes with a seven-speed PDK, Porsche’s own dual-clutch transmission. The GT4 RS will hit 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, the same time as a 911 GT3.

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As is expected of a Porsche RS model, there are plenty of aerodynamic and chassis changes aimed to extract maximum performance from the chassis of the 718 GT4 RS. The swan-necked rear wing, inspired by the 911 RSR racing car, is a standout visual feature.

There is also an adjustable front splitter, vented front fenders, and air ducts in the hood, along with a new rear diffuser and underbody. The car’s side windows have been replaced with air intakes. Porsche claims that the GT4 RS generates up to 25 percent more downforce than the regular 718 GT4.

The GT4 RS sits on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with center locks,the first time they are appearing on a Cayman. The adjustable suspension includes new, track-focused ball joints. Porsche says the GT4 RS is about 22kg lighter than a standard 718 GT4.

An optional Weissach Package gives some parts of the car including the hood, side mirrors and rear wing a carbon fibre finish. It also adds titanium exhaust tips, and a pile of cosmetic interior bits like a Porsche script on the rear window, a Race-Tex suede material dashboard, and Weissach RS badges.

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A further extra-cost option, only for Weissach-equipped cars, are magnesium wheels. Porsche actually expects around 70 percent of 718 GT4 RS buyers to spring for the Weissach package.

The car pictured here is also equipped with a Clubsport package that includes a full rollcage.

Porsche’s GT division head, Andreas Preuninger claims that the GT4 RS is “the most intense car we’ve ever done, 911 R included.”

He claimed that the GT division had always wanted to do an RS version of the Cayman, but it had to fit into the product’s life cycle, which happens to be, “right now.”

The good news is that the 718 GT4 RS isn’t a limited production run. It will remain on sale for as long as the 718 Cayman stays in production. We expect this to be for another two years, until the electric version of the next-gen Cayman goes into full-fledged production.

Big horsepower, less weight and more of everything mean the 718 GT4 RS could be even more of a handful than a 911 GT3 – but with Malaysia looking like it might open soon you could book a lesson with Porsche to help handle this beast.

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