- the future rs version of the porsche cayman gt4 would be expected to employ a naturally aspirated flat-six engine producing in excess of 450 horsepower.
- defining elements shown in these spy photos include a bold rear wing, naca ducts on the hood, and louvers on the rear quarter-windows.
- expect it to debut in the fall of 2020.
talk about synchronicity. just hours after frank steffen-walliser, porsche head of sports cars, told autocar that porsche is considering a cayman gt4 rs, our wily spy photographers checked in with this set of photos depicting what appears to be a 718 cayman gt4 rs undergoing testing.
we can't say these events come as a surprise, as the gt4 rs has been rumored since the 2020 718 cayman gt4 was revealed earlier this year. porsche indicated at the time, unofficially of course, that the gt4's 414-hp 4.0-liter flat-six held some untapped potential even without resorting to forced induction. while it's anyone's guess how much could reliably be milked from the engine, estimates of 450 horsepower are likely within reach.
as for transmission choices, the gt4 rs could go either way; the 718 cayman gt4 is offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, but the gt3 rs gets a pdk as the sole option. we’re leaning toward the latter, as the fast and intuitive action of the pdk makes it a natural for track duty.
in addition to the louvers—which could be temporarily mounted over the windows or outright replace them— along with the naca ducts and a boisterous rear wing that appears to be suspended by universal struts to allow for various positioning options, we expect the porsche to try and trim some weight wherever possible to make the gt4 rs as quick as possible. we also expect slight tweaks in the steering suspension and braking departments, although the extent of these items is not clear from the spy photos.
if everything goes according to expectations, look for the cayman gt4 rs to appear in the fall of 2020 with a price significantly higher than the $100,450 ask of the 2020 718 cayman gt4.