New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder REVEALED

The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder arrive as the enthusiasts option for Porsche’s entry-level sports car – with naturally-aspirated 4.0 litre.

Every car maker on the planet seems to be downsizing engines, adding a bit of electric, throwing in some forced induction and doing anything they can to take away the real joy of the ICE, all in the name of emissions reduction.

Thankfully, although Porsche aren’t immune from playing the same game, the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder haven’t been infected by the buzz little toy engine virus. Oh, no.

Not only do they have the same 4.0 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot, they also sport a manual gearbox because, as Porsche says, it’s all about the driving pleasure.

Thew new 4.0 litre flat six engine in the new 718 manages to deliver 414bhp – despite no forced induction – revs to 8000rpm, has 310lb/ft of torque above 5000rpm and hits 62mph in 4.4 seconds. 

Porsche has fitted a particulate filter to cut NOx, there’s a neat trick of cutting fuel injection under light load and official economy sits at 25.7mpg. But if you drive as you should you’ll never see it.

The GT4 also gets more downforce than the old model – up to 50 per cent more – thanks to new diffuser and fixed back wing, and the Spyder gets a rear diffuser and spoiler that pops up at 74mph (just so plod know you’re breaking the speed limit) and both get Porsche’s GT chassis with PASM.

The PSM is later to the game to let you play, there’s torque vectoring and rear diff lock, optional ceramic brakes and Porsche-specific Michelins on the Spyder.

Both the GT4 and Spyder are now on sale, with the 718 Spyder costing from £73,405 and the Cayman GT4 from £75,348.