Flat-6 Engine from the 911 Achieves 0-100 km/h in 4.4 Seconds

Porsche has revived the 4-liter, 6-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine for the "Cayman" and introduced the "718 Spyder," a lighter and more performance-oriented version than the open-top "718 Boxster."

When the "Boxster" and "Cayman" underwent a full model change to the "718" in 2016, their engines were switched to 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo units. However, the newly announced "718 Spyder" and "718 Cayman GT4" are powered by a newly developed 4-liter, 6-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, positioning them as the top models in the 718 series.



This 4-liter boxer engine, newly developed based on the engine from the "911 Carrera," has the same specifications for both the "718 Spyder" and "718 Cayman GT4." It produces 309 kW (420 PS), an increase of 35 PS over the previous generation "718 Cayman GT4" and 45 PS over the third generation "718 Spyder," along with a maximum torque of 420 Nm. Both models achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, with top speeds of 301 km/h for the "718 Spyder" and 304 km/h for the "718 Cayman GT4."

Enhanced Cornering Performance for Track Driving

The 718 Cayman GT4 also boasts improved aerodynamics. A newly designed rear silencer, with two silencers each featuring an arched, independent cover, and a fixed rear wing, increase downforce by a total of 50 percent without altering drag. The optimized front section, characteristic of GT models, features a large front lip spoiler and "air curtains" that guide air around the front wheels, maintaining aerodynamic balance.

Meanwhile, the "718 Spyder," which inherits the chassis of the 718 Cayman GT4, follows in the lineage of Porsche's roadsters like the "550 Spyder" and "718 RS 60 Spyder," featuring a lightweight convertible top. A key difference from the "718 Cayman GT4" is its rear spoiler, which automatically extends at 120 km/h to contribute to downforce generation.



The "718 Cayman GT4" is designed with track driving in mind. Along with the "718 Spyder," which shares the same high-performance GT chassis, it features large aluminum monobloc calipers and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) that lowers the ride height by 30mm, resulting in improved cornering performance. For the "718 Cayman GT4," an optional Clubsport package is available, including a steel roll bar and 6-point harnesses.

Details regarding the introduction timing and pricing in Japan are yet to be announced. We await further information.