Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport

Published: Jan 05, 2019Modified: Jan 05, 2019

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport

Three years after the premiere of the first Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Porsche now unveils its successor. The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents a consequent further development of the successful model from Weissach.

In developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the focus was put not only on further improved driveability 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-fibre composite material. The driver and passenger doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fibre mix, sourced primarily from agricultural by-products such as flax or hemp fibres and feature similar properties to carbon fibre in terms of weight and stiffness.

Powering the 718 GT4 Clubsport is a 3.8-litre flat-six engine producing 425 bhp (313 kW). Compared to its predecessor, this represents a 40 bhp increase in performance. 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 impressive racing brake system features steel brake discs all round measuring 380 mm in diameter.

Tipping the scales at 1,320 kg, the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, delivered ex-works with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness, is a real lightweight.

For the first time, the near-standard mid-engined racer comes in two versions ex-works for global track driving excitement: the “Trackday” model and the “Competition” variant for national and international motor racing. Only the “Competition” edition is offered in the UK.

2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport

The “Competition” model – which is available in the UK via the Porsche Cars GB Motorsport department - 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 litres is suitable for long-distance events. Thanks to a brake balance system, the balance bias can be infinitely adjusted between the front and rear axle. An integrated air jack system guarantees fast pit stops. The quick-release racing steering wheel adopted from the 911 GT3 R ensures a range of adjustment options for the individual needs of the drivers. An automatic fire extinguishing system adds another safety feature for the racetrack. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport “Competition” is priced at £130,300.00 plus VAT, and is not homologated for road use.

“The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport possesses significantly more racing genes than its successful predecessor,” says Porsche’s head of 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.”

The car is available to order immediately and will be delivered to teams and drivers around the world from February.

Technical description Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (Type 982)

Concept

Single-seater, near-standard production-based race car, not road homologated

Engine

Aluminium six-cylinder mid-positioned boxer engine with rigid mounting
3,800 cc; stroke 77.5 mm, bore 102 mm
Max. power: 425 bhp (313 kW ) at 7,500 rpm
Max. rpm: 7,800 rpm
Max. torque: 425 Nm at 6,600 rpm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Racing optimised 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 optimised 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 optimised for racing
Reinforced dual mass flywheel
Internal pressure oil lubrication with active oil cooling
Differential lock optimised for racing

Bodywork

Lightweight body in aluminium-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-fibre composite materials, including the sideblades, black aluminium wing supports with integrated carbon fibre Gurney flap
Driver and co-driver doors of natural-fibre 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
Provision for safety net
FIA-certified towing loops, front and rear
Motorsport centre 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

Suspension

Front axle:
- MacPherson suspension strut, adjustable in height, camber and track
- Forged suspension links: optimised 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
- Electromechanical power steering with variable steering ratio
- Anti-roll bar, 3-hole design
Rear axle:
- MacPherson suspension strut, adjustable in height, camber and track
- Forged suspension links: optimised 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
- Adjustable blade-type anti-roll bar

Brake system

Front axle:
- Aluminium, mono-bloc six-piston racing callipers with “Anti Knock Back” piston springs
- Steel brake discs, multi-piece, ventilated and grooved, 380 mm diameter
- Racing brake pads
- Brake balance adjustment via a balance bar system
Rear axle:
- Aluminium, mono-bloc four-piston racing callipers with “Anti Knock Back” piston springs
- Steel brake discs, multi-piece, ventilated and grooved, 380 mm diameter
- Racing brake pads
- Brake balance adjustment via a balance bar system

Electrics

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
Emergency cut-off 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
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Central fire extinguishing system in accordance with FIA regulations
Air conditioning
Electric wing mirror adjustment
Multifunctional CFRP motorsport steering wheel with pit speed limiter and quick release coupling
Centre console with map switch to adjust the ABS, ESC, TC and switch between preset tyre circumferences

Weight/dimensions

Total weight: 1,320 kg
Total length: 4,456 mm
Total width: 1,778 mm
Total height: 1,238 mm
Wheelbase: 2,456 mm

Rims/Tyres

Front axle:
- One-piece light-alloy forged wheels in new weight-optimised rim design, 9J x 18 offset 28 with 5-bolt mounting
- Delivered with Michelin transportation tyres, dimension: 25/64-18
- Michelin slick/wet tyres, dimension: 25/64-18
Rear axle:
- One-piece light-alloy forged wheel in new weight-optimised rim design, 10.5J x 18.5 offset 53 with 5-bolt mounting
- Delivered with Michelin transportation tyres, dimension: 27/68-18
- Michelin slick/wet tyres, dimension: 27/68-18

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