PORSCHE718 SPYDER& CAYMANGT
http://www.evo.co. uk 013
F YOU WERETO SIT DOWN ANDROUGH
out your idea of a pureyet everyday
useable road-going sportscar, it’s hard
to think of a more finelyresolved proposition than
Porsche’s new 718 Sp yder or CaymanGT4.
Lithe, and blessed with an all-new, high-revving
naturally aspirated flat-six, a manual transmission,
and chassis tunes thatfavour on-road enjoyment
over chasing lap times,each is a thoughtfully
craft ed car that prioritises pleasureover the
blinkered pursuit ofpace.
It’s anethos Porsche embraced with the
first CaymanGT4, andto a degree the previous
two Boxster Spyders, though only now have the
two modelscome under thecontrol of Andreas
Preuninger and histalented team inPorsche’s
Motorsport department – aconsolidation of
effort that significantly elevates the credibility and
desirability of the Spyder, which in thewords of its
creator ‘is no w an openGT4. Full stop.’
Frustratingly, our first contact with theGT4 and
Spyder is purely platonic(we’re set to drive them
next month), but it doesn’ttake more than a glance
to appreciate both possess the hallmarks of true
Motorsport department models:stance, sculpted
bodywork,comprehensive aeropackag es and
perfectly pared-back driving environments are all
present andcorrect.
The hardware is no less convincing, with both
cars featuring an all-new dry-sumped 4-litre
naturally aspirated flat-six. The bore andstroke
are very close to those of the 911GT3’s engine.
Howeve r, that’ssomething of ared herring,for the
new unit’s origins are actuallyrooted in the 3-litre
turbocharged 9A2 motorfound in the latest 911
I
‘EACH IS A
THOUGHTFULLY
CRAFTED CAR
THAT PRIORITISES
PLEASUREOVER
THE BLINKERED
PURSUIT OFPACE’