Porsche Unveils New Cayman GT4 Clubsport

Porsche’s new-for-2019 GT4 challenger was unveiled Thursday at Daytona International Speedway, with the first batch of customer teams taking delivery of the brand-new Cayman 718 GT4 Clubsport.

The new car, based on the yet-to-be released 718 Cayman GT4 road car, has been proclaimed as a significant step forward from its predecessor.

The new version features updated aerodynamics and produces 425 horsepower, an increase of 40 horsepower from the previous iteration despite using the same base 3.8-liter flat-six engine.

The car’s spring-strut front suspension is taken from the 911 GT3 Cup car and utilizes steel brake discs.

All told, the car weighs in at 1,320 kg with a welded-in safety cage, racing bucket seat, six-point harness, along with a first-of-its-kind sustainable natural-fiber composite material for the doors and rear wing.

The carbon-fiber-like materials are sourced primarily from agricultural byproducts such as flax or hemp fibers and take 70 percent less energy to produce.

It is is the first-ever production race car to feature body parts made of the material.

Despite the increase in performance, Porsche anticipates running costs will be unchanged due in large part to utilizing the same engine and gearbox as the previous model.

Trackday, Competition Models to Be Offered

Porsche is set to offer the car in two varieties, with the ‘Trackday’ car aimed at enthusiasts and collectors, featuring a fixed shock absorber setup and ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems.

Also delivered ex-works is the air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, a handheld fire-extinguisher and an 80-liter FT3 safety fuel cell. The non-road-homologated vehicle can be serviced at all Porsche Centers.

The ‘Competition’ version, meanwhile, has shocks that can be adjusted in three stages, a fuel tank capacity of 115 liters and more advanced brake balance system, as well as an integrated air jack system and quick release steering wheel from the Porsche 911 GT3 R.

“The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,” said Head of Porsche Motorsport Fritz Enzinger.

“The power of the engine has increased considerably.

“At the same time, we were able to increase the downforce and the cockpit is now even better suited to drivers’ needs.

“I’m confident that we can build on the excellent sales figures of the predecessor, of which we have delivered 421 cars.”

Seven teams took delivery of their new cars ahead of testing this week at Daytona: BGB Motorsports, RS1, VOLT Racing, TRG, nolasport, AWA, and Bodymotion Racing.