Porsche Cayman GT4 – Deja vu Test Drive
A few days short of 10 years ago, in 2006, I test drove a Porsche Cayman S from Glenmarie Shah Alam to Fraser’s Hill and back. It had a 3.4 litre engine, 295 horses, and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Just a few days ago, I did a déjà vu with the new Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 is rather high on the ‘wanted’ list, and having only one test car means it has to be ‘shared’ between media and the customers who may wish to go for a test drive. This being the case, the kind people at Porsche could only let it out of their sights for just a few hours. With only a short while in which to check out this beauty, a drive to Fraser’s Hill became the best choice, because the drive is short enough for me to get there and back before the evening jam, yet long enough as it covers approximately 250 kilometres, with a great mixture of roads ideal for testing such a great performer.
What the Porsche engineers have done is to put a 3.8 litre naturally-aspirated, horizontally-opposed flat-six engine similar to that found in the Porsche 911 GT3 into the Cayman to make the GT4. Since the Cayman has a mid-engine layout, some modifications were made to allow it to be mounted forward of the rear axle. For added reliability, the GT4 engine runs a dry sump lubrication system, usually found in race engines. Maximum power is 385 horses at 7,400 rpm, while max torque is 420Nm at between 4,750 to 6000 rpm. This equates to zero to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, zero to 200km/h in 14.5 seconds, and a top speed of 295 km/h. Weighing in at 1,340kg (DIN), the Cayman GT4 has a power-to-weight ratio of 3.48kg/hp (each horsepower only needs to move 3.48kg of weight).
Suspension for the GT4 is lowered by 30mm from the standard version, and at the touch of a button, you can switch between ‘Normal’ to ‘Sport’, which changes the damper settings. Built for sports enthusiasts, the Cayman GT4 is offered only with a 6-speed manual transmission. Although the Cayman has always been a good handler due to its mid-engine layout, the driving dynamics are further improved by a ‘torque-vectoring’ system, in which the rear outer wheels are given more ‘drive’ during cornering. A mechanical rear differential lock also helps cornering.
I was expecting some kind of ‘Frankenstein’ behaviour from the GT4, but surprisingly, it is quite docile – if you wish it to be. It can be driven quietly and smoothly in city traffic (in terms of road behaviour only, because visually, it is sure to turn eyes with its huge 20-inch tyres and the fierce-looking rear wing). Power to the wheels is easily ‘modulated’ with gentle squeezes on the throttle – yes, anybody can drive it, as long as you know how to handle a manual transmission, that is. There is no harsh quick-grabbing clutch, and there are no sudden forward lunges – everything is ‘linear’, and the Cayman responds correspondingly with the amount of gas pedal you apply.
With its high torque, the GT4 can be driven any way you wish – you can squeeze speed (albeit in a slower manner) in sixth gear from as low as 2,000 rpm or rev it to the red line at 7,600 rpm in each gear. Driven in relaxed form, the Cayman GT4 is enjoyable, but driven hard, it literally perks up, and it can really be fun. With the exception of first gear which is meant to allow you to take off smoothly, the other five forward ratios are pretty close-ratio, with 4th, 5th and 6th gears being overdrive gears. Although not really necessary for normal road driving, those with familiarity of the ‘heel and toe’ technique will find the Cayman GT4 will have a more enjoyable drive at high speeds. The accelerator pedal is mounted from floor up – but this can be easily converted to ‘top’ mounted to make it easier to heel and toe. Sitting with one’s body slightly canted to the right and legs canted to the left helps immensely in this department.
Humongous brakes, 410 mm diameter at the front, with 6-pot fixed callipers, and 390 mm diameter at the rear with 4-pot fixed callipers, more than good enough for racing track use provide precise and predictable stopping power. One thing about these high-performance cars is that the stopping power is so good that you never ever get the feeling that you cannot stop. Brake cooling is first rate, and despite my very spirited drive on the downhill stretch between the Gap and Kuala Kubu Baru, fade was never an issue. Brake feel is just right, with just the right amount of servo assistance.
Extra wide tyres on 20-inch wheels, wider at the rear than in the front, provide superb grip all round. Whilst the built-in electronic aids help with traction and cornering, they can be switched off in two stages (except for ABS, which remains on at all times) for more exuberant drivers. I did not push too hard during my test stint, being on the watch at all times for possible oncoming traffic around the many sharp turns and blind corners, but still managed to go at a reasonably quick clip. The Cayman GT4 is actually track-ready, complete with a built-in roll cage, and on the road, if you keep sane, it will stick to its lines without any problem. On some corners where there are rough spots or loose pebbles, some ‘bump-over steer’ (when the tail gets dislodged due to uneven part of the road), but the quick steering ratio makes it easy to correct.
On the highway stretches, the Cayman GT4 is quick, really quick! The only thing limiting your speed would be other traffic, but overtaking is real easy. Needless to say, high speed stability is very good, and the brakes are very re-assuring.
All in all, it was a fantastic experience – this is a true driver’s car that is waiting to be unleashed. However, only a select few will be able to afford the RM966, 665.00 that is needed to own this baby, and that is without insurance.
