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2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Debuts With A 493-Horsepower GT3 Heart

It's the quickest, fastest, most hardcore street-legal Cayman ever.

Christopher Smith

By: Christopher Smith

Nov 16, 2021 at 11:30pm ET

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The 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is finally revealed, though its development hasn't exactly been a secret. Heck, Porsche even told us how fast the new GT4 RS laps the Nürburgring – 7 minutes 4.5 seconds in case you missed it. However, now we know why it turns such a fast lap, and it's not just the fantastic engine.

That's a good place to start, because in the time it takes you to read this sentence, the GT4 RS can accelerate from a standstill to over 100 mph. The 4.0-liter flat-six is pulled straight from the Porsche 911 GT3, though in the mid-engine Cayman it only makes 493 horsepower (368 kilowatts). Torque checks in at 331 pound-feet (449 Newton-meters), also a bit less than the 911 GT3, but the engine still hits all the high notes with a 9,000-rpm naturally aspirated redline.

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For the record, the standard GT4's 4.0-liter engine isn't a GT3 derivative, spinning to 8,000 rpm while producing 414 hp (309 kW) in the process. It's not slow by any means, but Porsche says the GT4 RS reaches 60 mph in 3.2 seconds – a half-second quicker than the GT4. It tops out at 196 mph, and Porsche already spilled the beans on the Nordschleife lap time. For added perspective, it's nearly 24 seconds faster than the GT4, and just a few seconds away from the current 911 GT3. Folks, this new 718 Cayman GT4 RS is absolutely no joke.

2022 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS

Weight And Balance

We said the engine is only part of Porsche's performance punch in the latest RS model. Weight is another factor, and Porsche engineers managed to shave 49 pounds from the GT4 RS while still keeping it a street-friendly vehicle. As you might guess, carbon fiber comes into play with the front fenders and hood consisting of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. You'll also find lightweight glass for the rear window, lightweight doors, and the result is a 3,227-pound (1,464-kilogram) curb weight. Combined with the high-output engine, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 6.5 pounds per hp.

Gallery: 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

2022 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Power is nothing if you can't use it, and that's the next chapter in the RS book of performance. It's only offered with the quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, funneling power to just the rear wheels through paddle shifters on the wheel or the stalk in the center console. The RS sits just over an inch lower with an adjustable track-focused suspension using revised dampers, springs, and sway bar rates. The components are connected to the body with ball joints for tighter precision, and for the first time on any Cayman, center-lock wheels are used.

An Abundance Of Wings And Vents

Enhanced aero forces the GT4 RS to the pavement, with the swan-neck fixed rear wing being the obvious difference to the standard GT4. The underbody is optimized for better airflow, with a rear diffuser, an adjustable front diffuser, a front spoiler lip, and side blades contributing to the cause. Setup in racetrack-specific Performance mode, the GT4 RS offers 25 percent more downforce compared to the GT4.

2022 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS

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Additional body tweaks include air intakes in place of side windows and revised side intakes, all designed for improved cooling. Add the optional Weissach Package and you'll get even more carbon fiber, among other things. Porsche will even sell GT4 RS buyers a special watch from Porsche Design, inspired by both the styling and performance of this Cayman to end all Caymans.

Check Out The GT4 RS Clubsport And New Taycan Models:

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Is A 500-HP Turn-Key Race Car

⠀ 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Debuts With 590 HP And Sport Turismo Wagon

The 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS reaches US dealerships next summer, checking in with a starting price of $141,700 plus a $1,350 delivery fee.

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS FAQ

How much horsepower does the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS have?

The new 718 Cayman GT4 RS has 493 horsepower.

Does the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS have the same engine as the Porsche 911 GT3?

Yes, the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS uses the same naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine found in the 911 GT3.

How fast is the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS?

Porsche says the 718 Cayman GT4 RS can go from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Its top speed is 196 mph.

How much does the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS cost?

Base price for the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS starts at $141,700, plus a delivery fee of $1,350.

Does The 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS have a manual transmission?

The Cayman GT4 RS doesn't have a traditional three-pedal manual transmission. It's only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox with an automatic mode, or manual shifting using wheel-mounted paddles or a shift stalk in the center console.

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Engine 4.0-Liter Flat-Six, Naturally Aspirated

Output 493 Horsepower / 331 Pound-Feet

Transmission Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch PDK

Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive

Speed 0-60 MPH 3.2 Seconds

Maximum speed 196 MIles Per Hour

Weight 3,227 Pounds

Base Price $141,700

On Sale Summer 2022

Source: Porsche

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