![]() Those hoping to use a clutch pedal with a gated manual gearbox will have to stick with the standard Cayman GT4 – or try to track down a 911 GT3, if they’re particularly attracted to this engine. It's so loud that wearing a helmet on a track day might actually bring a welcome layer of sound insulation during prolonged hard driving.Īs with the standard GT4, the seven-speed automatic gearbox is lightning fast when it comes to shifting gears and you can knock the gearlever to the side and shift gears manually (nudging the lever back and forth, like a sequential 'box), or use the paddles mounted on the steering wheel. If you want to hear more from the engine bay, the accelerator pedal acts as a foot-operated volume control, except one that already starts at level 8, before moving up to around 15. ![]() And because you’re effectively sharing an extended echo chamber with that motor, the end result is incredibly immersive, with a wonderfully unique concoction of sounds and noises swirling around your head before piercing your eardrums. You see, the standard six-cylinder Cayman already sounds great, but the GT4 RS indulges you with an addictive, fizzing note at the very top end of the rev range. It can take a bit of commitment to aim for that every time (especially if you’re used to shifting sooner on lower-revving, turbocharged motors) but the reward is incredibly satisfying – especially from an aural point of view. Peak power is produced at a heady 8400rpm, but with a dizzying 9000rpm redline (that’s 1000rpm higher than the standard GT4’s) you’re encouraged to rev it all the way out. With 493bhp, the Cayman GT4 RS bumps power up from the standard GT4 by 79bhp and is just 10bhp shy of the 911 GT3. This is helped by the additional side-mounted air intakes fitted where the rear quarter windows are found on regular models, funnelling extra air past the back of your head and into the engine. If you wanted to, you could physically turn around and touch the exposed engine cover.Īs a result, your ears are exposed to a much more unfiltered sound, with plenty of hisses and whooshes to accompany the engine note as soon as you set off. You immediately notice how loud the engine is when sitting inside the GT4 RS and that’s because the carpeted floor that’s normally seated on top of the engine bay behind the seats has been removed altogether. Since the biggest change in the GT4 RS relates to the engine, we’ll start with that. The 4.0-litre flat-six engine sounds a little agricultural on start-up, with a deep-sounding, lumpy idle that transmits a few subtle vibrations felt through the seats. Is this the Porsche we’ve all been waiting for? Let’s find out. ![]() But since the next-generation Cayman is expected to be propelled purely by electric motors, the Cayman GT4 RS seems to be the ultimate swan song as we bid a proper farewell to this petrol-powered sports car. Previously, this wouldn’t have been a clever business idea for Porsche, as it could (understandably) steal sales from the 911.
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