Porsche 718 Cayman GT4: 4.0 flat-six and rear diffuser

Porsche Cayman GT4: mechanical breakdown

A 718 GT4 in ten seconds

Ten seconds of a 718 Cayman GT4, with the caption giving only the model. The engine sits behind the seats: a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six rated at 414 hp, driving the rear wheels, with a redline at 8,000 rpm. Cars sold in Europe carry a petrol particulate filter, which mutes the exhaust against the 981 GT4.

Rear diffuser and a 1,420 kg mid-engine layout

Underneath, the 718 GT4 has a functional rear diffuser. It is the first Cayman GT4 to make significant downforce from its underbody, so grip at speed no longer depends on mechanical setup alone. The mass sits low and central: 1,420 kg kerb weight, a mid-mounted flat-six, rear-wheel drive. That layout puts weight over the driven axle for traction, and the 420 Nm arrives through a 6-speed manual or, from 2021, the 7-speed PDK. The manual's weak spot is gearing. Second and third are widely criticized as too long, which stretches the 4.4 s run to 100 km/h across fewer, taller steps.

Louder exhaust, lifted nose

Sound comes first. An aftermarket exhaust or a particulate-filter delete brings back the louder, sharper flat-six note that the filter mutes. The cost is legality: filter deletes are not road-legal in many markets and can affect warranty. The second common item is a front-axle lift system. The front splitter sits low and scrapes on kerbs and ramps, and the lift raises the nose on demand for driveways and speed bumps. It adds cost and weight, which matters on a car whose appeal is a 1,420 kg curb figure.