If the standard Porsche Cayman GT4 feels just a little too mild for you, direct your attention to this new track-only hardcore version. Making its debut at the Los Angeles auto show alongside the new 911 Targa 4S, the wild Cayman GT4 Clubsport looks fierce and ready to compete in race series like the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy, and Pirelli World Challenge.
The Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first non-911 factory-issued Porsche race car since the 968 in the 1990s. It uses the naturally aspirated, 3.8-liter flat-six from the outgoing 911 Carrera S, making a potent 385 hp. Porsche combines that hefty output with an 89-pound weight reduction, bringing mass down to 2,866 pounds, along with the front suspension from the 911 GT3 Cup car, a mechanical locking rear differential, beefy 15-inch steel brakes with six-piston aluminum calipers, and a PDK dual-clutch transmission.
The stripped-out interior looks mean with its welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat, and six-point safety harness. It also has a built-in fire-suppression system in case things get hairy out on the track. Spare parts and components like bumpers, wheels, and brakes can be ordered from Porsche Motorsport ($9,000-$10,000), while there are also options like Recaro seats ($3,900) and air jacks ($4,200).
Porsche revised the stability control and anti-lock braking system from the GT4 road car to behave more effectively with slicks at all four corners, and it will offer a data logger as well as various fuel tank sizes for each of the racing series the Clubsport is competing in. For conspiracy theorists who believe Porsche has been holding the Cayman back to preserve the prestige of the hallowed 911, we’ll get to see what the GT4 Clubsport is made of at the highest levels of racing this season.
Porsche tells us that the Cayman GT4 Clubsport is a bit more accessible for amateur racers, as the mid-engine balance makes it a little more forgiving than previous racers. That is, as long as the buyer can shell out at least $165,000 for this fully homologated turn-key race car. With options though, the total nudges closer to $183,000. It is officially on sale now.
