The Porsche Cayman GT4 is the track-focused version of the Cayman, built by the same GT division that makes the 911 GT3. It pairs a high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six with a fixed rear wing, stiffer suspension, and sharper aero. The line runs from the 385 hp 981 GT4 to the 414 hp 718 GT4 and the 493 hp 718 GT4 RS, the most extreme mid-engine Porsche short of a race car.
Here is everything you need to know about the Porsche Cayman GT4.
Contents
What the GT4 Is
For most of the Cayman’s life Porsche deliberately kept it below the 911 in power, so the cheaper coupe would not embarrass the flagship. The GT4 is the car that removed that ceiling. Porsche handed the Cayman to its GT division, the team behind the 911 GT3, and let them build the mid-engine car the chassis had always deserved.
The result is a Cayman with a naturally aspirated flat-six, a fixed rear wing, retuned suspension borrowed from the GT3 parts bin, bigger brakes, and aero that actually produces downforce. It is not a trim package. It is a focused driver’s car that many reviewers and owners rate as the best-handling Porsche you can buy on a road.
981 Cayman GT4 (2015 to 2016)
The first Cayman GT4 arrived on the 981 platform in 2015. It used a 3.8 liter flat-six taken from the 991 Carrera S, tuned to 385 horsepower, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual. It borrowed front suspension components from the 911 GT3 and sat lower and stiffer than any Cayman before it.
The 981 GT4 was a turning point. It proved the demand for a hardcore Cayman and became an instant collector car. Manual only, naturally aspirated, and relatively rare, it has held its value strongly and remains one of the most sought-after modern Porsches.
718 Cayman GT4 (2020 to 2024)
The 718 GT4 answered the biggest complaint about the standard 718. While the base and S cars moved to turbocharged flat-fours, the GT4 kept a naturally aspirated flat-six, now a 4.0 liter unit producing 414 horsepower and revving to 8,000 rpm. The sound and the linear delivery the enthusiast crowd missed were back.
It launched as a six-speed manual, with a PDK dual-clutch option added in 2022 for buyers who wanted faster shifts on track. The 718 GT4 covers 0 to 60 mph in around 4.2 seconds with the manual and feels even quicker than the number suggests because of how cleanly the engine revs. The flat-six is closely related to the unit in our flat-six engine guide.
Choosing the gearbox is the main decision on a 718 GT4. The manual is the purist’s pick and suits road driving, while the PDK is quicker and more relaxed in traffic. Our PDK versus manual guide covers the trade-offs in full.
718 Cayman GT4 RS (2022 to 2024)
The GT4 RS took the concept to its limit. Porsche dropped in the 493 horsepower 4.0 liter flat-six from the 911 GT3, complete with a 9,000 rpm redline and intakes mounted behind the seats that fill the cabin with induction noise. It is PDK only, because the dual-clutch is faster around a lap.
The aero is far more aggressive than the standard GT4, with a swan-neck rear wing, a deep front splitter, and bonnet vents. The GT4 RS laps the Nurburgring in around 7 minutes and 4 seconds, which is genuine supercar pace from a Cayman. It is the closest the mid-engine car has ever come to the 911 GT3, and it is covered head to head in our GT4 RS versus GT3 RS comparison.
GT4 vs 911 GT3
The GT4 and the 911 GT3 share a development team and a philosophy, but they sit a tier apart. The GT3 has more power, a higher limit, and the badge that carries the history. On a track it is the faster car.
On a road the gap narrows and often reverses. The GT4’s mid-engine balance makes it feel more agile at legal speeds, and it costs significantly less. Many owners who have driven both keep the GT4 for exactly that reason. It is not the faster car, but it is the one that flatters a real-world driver.
Pricing and Buying
All three GT4 variants hold value well because supply is limited and demand is high. A used 981 GT4 typically starts around 90,000 US dollars and climbs for low-mileage cars. A 718 GT4 sits north of 100,000 dollars depending on gearbox, mileage, and specification, with manual cars often commanding a premium.
The GT4 RS is a different market entirely. Limited production and intense demand push clean examples well above 200,000 dollars, far over the original list price. As with any collectible Porsche, buy on documented history and a specialist inspection, and treat any allocation or low-mileage car as the investment it has become.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Porsche Cayman GT4?
It is the track-focused version of the Cayman, with a naturally aspirated flat-six, GT-division suspension, a fixed rear wing, and sharper aero. It is built by the same team that makes the 911 GT3.
Is the GT4 better than the 911 GT3?
On a track the GT3 is faster. On a road many drivers prefer the GT4 for its mid-engine balance and lower price. It is a matter of priorities.
Does the 718 GT4 come with a manual?
Yes. The 981 GT4 was manual only, and the 718 GT4 launched as a six-speed manual with a PDK option added later. The GT4 RS is PDK only.
What is the difference between the GT4 and the GT4 RS?
The GT4 RS uses the 493 hp 4.0 liter flat-six from the 911 GT3, revs to 9,000 rpm, and adds aggressive aero. It is far more extreme than the 414 hp GT4 and is PDK only.
How much is a Porsche Cayman GT4?
A used 981 GT4 trades from around 90,000 US dollars and a 718 GT4 north of 100,000 dollars. The GT4 RS commands a large premium, often well above 200,000 dollars.
Images: 2024 718 GT4, 2021 718 GT4, and 2020 718 GT4 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0. 981 Cayman GT4 by Edvvc, CC BY 2.0. 718 Cayman GT4 RS by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
