Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport: behind the wheel on track

The 380bhp engine ignites into a symphony of commotion. You can’t miss the distinctive rap of the direct-injection fuel system, and drivetrain vibrations from the rigidly mounted engine and gearbox radiate through your body. Once on the track, we juggle swapping gear ratios between the 911 GT3-sourced transmission selector and the extremely tactile paddles. The PDK gearbox is an ideal fit for the GT4 CS, but its leggy ratios annoy, just as they do on many Porsches outside of the 911 GT3/GT3 RS. Speaking of the GT3, the GT4 CS carries a distinct shortage of engine sparkle compared with its higher strung siblings. Its 40kg weight loss over the road car helps slightly, but the big story with the minimalist Cayman is very much the chassis.

We ran the fully adjustable GT4 CS in Porsche’s as-shipped chassis set-up. Clearly, either Porsche or Manthey Racing is deathly afraid of understeer. They also didn’t feel the need to make adjustments for circuits that are less smooth-surfaced than a snooker table, it would seem. At Gingerman, the Cayman’s GT3 Cup-derived suspension found track surface imperfections we didn’t even know existed, pitching the car and compromising lateral grip. At lower speeds, it’s mostly just annoying. At higher speeds, impressive car control skills are mandatory. Even with the superb, race-tuned stability control, you can get in trouble. You’re welcome to guess how we know that. Word from the racing paddock is that we’re not alone in our critique of the default chassis settings.

Through the handful of smooth corners at Gingerman, you do feel the intrinsic brilliance as well as the enormous pace of the GT4 CS. The electric power steering is communicative and direct and the chassis responds wonderfully to varying degrees of steering, throttle and braking inputs.

Speaking of deceleration, the PDK gearbox allows consistent use of your left foot for applying the impressive GT3 Cup steel brakes. Also, the combination of nicely judged traction control and wide, 305mm rear Pirelli slicks give fantastic straight-line traction.

We have little doubt that fiddling with the chassis would result in a transformation. The GT4 CS’s early race wins in various competition series is proof. But is this focused car a good fit for the less hardcore Porsche enthusiast? We asked Porsche just that question. They said: “Yes, that’s the idea. No special racing shop is necessary.”

Outside of the chassis set-up, they may be right. Just remember: if you buy a Cayman GT4 Clubsport, make sure to sort the suspension before visiting a less-than-glass-smooth circuit or your factory Porsche race car may have a similar fate to the Ferrari in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Race car

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport

Price £105k (est); Power 380bhp; Torque 310lb ft; Weight 1300kg; 0-62mph 4.0sec (est); Top speed 183mph

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