The New 718 Cayman GT4 Could Be The Best Unadulterated Porsche Yet

The last Cayman GT4 was proof positive that Porsche has taken the limits off its smallest model. No longer shackled by the notion that it has to be slower and less potent than its big brother, the 911, it was an absolute firecracker. But in true Zuffenhausen style, the next one promises to be even better.

Spied undergoing testing at no less a punishing location than the Nürburgring, the forthcoming Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 looks about ready for its big debut. Just look at the hunkered-down chassis, those big wheels, the aggressive aero. Like a 911 GT3, but even lighter, and with the engine mounted in between the axles, instead of hanging off the back.

The extreme approach isn’t the only thing which the GT4 will share with the GT3, though. We’re expecting the top “baby” Porsche to pack the GT3’s 4.0-liter boxer six – naturally aspirated, unlike every other version of the current 718. But it’ll likely be detuned slightly for the smaller package. It’s also anticipated to offer both manual and possibly dual-clutch transmissions to satisfy both purists and those looking for the fastest way ’round the track.

Watch Out, Carrera GT

With either gearbox, it ought to make for one very fast driving tool. Sport Auto managed to hustle the pocket rocket around the Nordshleife in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. That’s as quick as the 997 GT3 was clocked less than a decade prior. Considering that the latest 718 Cayman S has already rattled off a lap time 7:46.7 (at the hands of the same driver for the same publication), we won’t be surprised to see the new GT4 crack into the 7:30 range. And that wouldn’t be far off the 7:28 that the Carrera GT mustered in 2004.

Of course the GT3, GT3 RS, and GT2 RS will still be quicker, faster, and more powerful. But for our money, we may very well be tempted more towards their little brother. We’ll reserve final judgement for when we see the finished product, of course. But that may come as soon as the Paris Motor Show in the fall. In the meantime, we’ll gaze longingly at the almost-ready prototype in these latest spy shots captured by our paparazzi at CarPix.