The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents a further development of the successful model from Weissach, according to the carmaker. For the first time, the near-standard mid-engine racer comes in two versions from the factory: a Trackday model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and a Competition variant for national and international motor racing.
The latter will be welcomed on the grid of the 2019 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama series.
In developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the focus was not only on further improved drivability and faster lap times, but also on the sustainable use of raw materials. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first-ever production race car to feature body parts made of natural-fiber composite material.
The doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fiber mix, which are sourced primarily from agricultural byproducts such as flax or hemp fibers, according to the company, and feature similar properties to carbon fiber in terms of weight and stiffness.
Powering the 718 GT4 Clubsport is a 3.8-litre flat-six engine producing 425 hp. Compared to its predecessor, this represents a 40-hp increase. The power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Porsche dual-clutch gearbox with six gears and mechanical rear axle differential lock.
The lightweight spring-strut front suspension is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother. The racing brake system features steel brake discs all around measuring 380mm in diameter.
Tipping the scales at 1,320 kilograms, the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is built from the factory with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat and six-point harness.
The Trackday version is aimed at amateur drivers who want to take part in private track and club sport events without major effort and outlay. The vehicle features a fixed shock absorber setup.
The ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems ensure forgiving handling at the limit and can be deactivated. Also delivered ex-works is the air-conditioning system, a rescue hatch in the roof, a handheld fire-extinguisher and an 80-litre FT3 safety fuel cell. The non-road-homologated vehicle can be serviced at all Porsche centers.
The “Competition” model features a raft of details relevant for racing. The shock absorbers can be adjusted in three stages. The safety fuel tank with a capacity of 115 liters is suitable for long-distance events. And brake balance bias can be infinitely adjusted between the front and rear axle.
Other features include: an integrated air jack system, quick-release racing steering wheel and automatic fire extinguishing system.
All variants of the model will be sold by Porsche Motorsport North America, based out of Carson, California.
“The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,” said Fritz Enzinger, Porsche’s head of motorsport. “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.”
Both versions can be ordered immediately and will be delivered to teams and drivers around the world beginning in February.
Technical description Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (Type 982):
Concept
Single-seater, near-standard production-based race car, not road-homologated
Engine
- Aluminum six-cylinder mid-positioned boxer engine with rigid mounting
- 3,800cc; stroke 77.5mm, bore 102mm
- Max. power: 313 kW (425 hp) at 7,500 rpm
- Max. rpm: 7,800 rpm
- Max. torque: 425 Nm at 6,600 rpm
- Compression ratio: 12.5:1
- Racing-optimized water cooling with thermal management for engine and gearbox
- Four-valve technology with adjustable camshaft phasing and variable valve timing VarioCam Plus
- Fuel quality: Super Plus unleaded, minimum 98 octane
- Racing-optimized electronic engine management (Continental SDI 9)
- Integrated dry sump lubrication
- 100-cell metal catalytic converter complying with DMSB specifications
Transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- 6-speed PDK gearbox with rigid suspension and electronic control unit optimized for racing
- Reinforced dual-mass flywheel
- Internal pressure oil lubrication with active oil cooling
- Differential lock optimized for racing
Bodywork
- Lightweight body in aluminum-steel composite construction
- Welded-in roll-cage, certified according to FIA Art. 277
- Front bonnet with quick-release fasteners
- Rear hood with quick-release fasteners
- Fixed rear wing with swan neck mount made of natural-fiber composite materials, including the side blades, black aluminum wing supports with integrated carbon fiber Gurney flap
- Driver and co-driver doors of natural-fiber composite materials
- Roof including escape hatch, certified according to FIA Art. 275a
- Recaro race bucket seat with longitudinal adjustment and padding system, adjustable to the individual needs of the drivers (in accordance with FIA Standard 8862/2009 -“ the latest FIA requirements)
- Three-piston air jack system (Competition)
- Pre-installed mounting points for three-piston air jack system (Trackday)
- Provision for safety net
- FIA-certified towing loops, front and rear
- Motorsport center console with enhanced functionality and adapted usability
- Six-point safety harness
- 115-litre FT3 safety fuel cell with Fuel Cut Off safety valve complying with FIA regulations (Competition)
- 80-litre FT3 safety fuel cell with Fuel Cut Off safety valve complying with FIA regulations (Trackday)
Suspension Front Axle:
- MacPherson suspension strut, adjustable in height, camber and track
- Forged suspension links: optimized stiffness, double shear mounting, high-performance spherical bearings
- 5-bolt wheel hubs
- Racing 3-way shock absorbers with rebound and 2-stage compression adjustment, high and low speed (Competition)
- Fixed shock absorbers (Trackday)
- Electromechanical power steering with variable steering ratio
- Anti-roll bar, 3-hole design
Suspension Rear Axle:
- MacPherson suspension strut, adjustable in height, camber and track
- Forged suspension links: optimized stiffness, double shear mounting, high-performance spherical bearings
- 5-bolt wheel hubs
- Racing 3-way shock absorbers with rebound and 2-stage compression adjustment, high and low speed (Competition)
- Fixed shock absorbers (Trackday)
- Adjustable blade-type anti-roll bar
Brake System Front Axle:
- Aluminum, mono-bloc six-piston racing calipers with Anti Knock Back piston springs
- Steel brake discs, multipiece, ventilated and grooved, 380mm diameter
- Racing brake pads
- Brake balance adjustment via a balance bar system (Competition)
- Brake booster (Trackday)
Brake System Rear Axle:
- Aluminum, mono-bloc four-piston racing calipers with Anti Knock Back piston springs
- Steel brake discs, multipiece, ventilated and grooved, 380mm diameter
- Racing brake pads
- Brake balance adjustment via a balance bar system (Competition)
- Brake booster (Trackday)
Electronics:
- COSWORTH instrument cluster ICD with integrated data logger
- Upgraded fault diagnosis with PIWIS motorsport tester
- Porsche Track Precision Race App
- Integrated lap trigger via GPS signal
- Electronic throttle system
- Lightweight lithium-ion (LiFePo) battery, 60 Ah, leak-proof, mounted in passenger footwell (Competition)
- Battery 12 V, 70 Ah (AGM), leak-proof, mounted in passenger footwell (Trackday)
- Emergency cutoff switch in cockpit and outside left of the windscreen
- Driving stability system PSM (Porsche Stability Management) with ABS, Traction Control (TC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), able to be completely deactivated
- Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
- Central fire extinguishing system in accordance with FIA regulations (Competition)
- Handheld fire extinguisher (Trackday)
- Air conditioning
- Electric wing mirror adjustment
- Multifunctional CFRP motorsport steering wheel with pit speed limiter and quick release coupling (Competition)
- Multifunctional motorsport steering wheel with pit speed limiter (Trackday)
- Center console with map switch to adjust the ABS, ESC, TC and switch between preset tire circumferences
Weight/dimensions:
- Total weight: 1,320kg
- Total length: 4,456mm
- Total width: 1,778mm
- Total height: 1,238mm
- Wheelbase: 2,456mm
Rims/Tires Front Axle:
- One-piece light-alloy forged wheels in new weight-optimized rim design, 9Jx18 offset 28 with 5-bolt mounting
- Delivered with Michelin transportation tires, dimension: 25/64-18
- Michelin slick/wet tires, dimension: 25/64-18
Rims/Tires Rear Axle:
- One-piece light-alloy forged wheel in new weight-optimized rim design, 10.5Jx18.5 offset 53 with 5-bolt mounting
- Delivered with Michelin transportation tires, dimension: 27/68-18
- Michelin slick/wet tires, dimension: 27/68-18
Colors
- Water-based paint
- Exterior: white C9A
- Interior: white filler-coat, without lacquer