Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Stuttgart. Porsche recently unleashed their latest assault on the race track, the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The race car was developed as the track-only near-standard mid-engine racer and are available in two versions from the factory: the Trackday model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and the Competition variant for national and international motor racing.
Powering the 718 GT4 Clubsport is a 425 hp 3.8-liter flat-six engine mated to a dual-clutch 6-speed gearbox and mechanical rear axle differential lock. The lightweight spring-strut front suspension was derived from the 911 GT3 Cup racer while 380 mm discs brakes provide stopping power. The 1320-kilogram Cayman racecar is delivered with a welded-in safety cage/roll bar, racing bucket seat and six-point harness.
The biggest news is that the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first-ever production race car to feature the sustainable use of raw materials with body parts made of natural-fiber composite material. The doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fiber mix, which are sourced primarily from agricultural by-products such as flax or hemp fibers that are as lightweight and stiff as carbon fiber.
The Trackday variant is aimed at amateur drivers racing in private track and clubsport events. It features a fixed shock absorber setup, ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems that can be deactivated, an air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, a handheld fire-extinguisher and an 80-liter FT3 safety fuel cell. The vehicle is “For Track Use Only” and can be serviced at all Porsche Centers. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Trackday is priced at Euro 134,000 plus applicable country-specific taxes and duties.
The Competition model is aimed at professional racing teams for national and international races. It features 3-stage adjustable shock absorbers; a front-rear adjustable brake balance system; an integrated air jack system for quicker pit stops; a quick-release racing steering wheel adopted from the 911 GT3R; an automatic fire extinguishing system; and a 115-liter safety fuel tank for long-distance events like Le Mans. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Competition is priced at Euro 157,000 Euro plus applicable country-specific taxes and duties.
“The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes,” says Porsche Motorsport head Fritz Enzinger. “We increased the engine power, increase the downforce and improved the cockpit to better suit the drivers’ needs.” Both versions are immediately available and will be delivered to teams and drivers around the world from February.
