Rational. Irrational. Sanity. Insanity. Perfect. Perfectly crazy. The difference is sometimes extremely subtle. And sometimes it is as sharp as a razor.

The new 718 Cayman GT4 is the perfect sports car for those who like to push the limits. For those who would rather ask ‘why not?’ than ‘why?’. For those who take fun seriously and who would rather sit in a sports seat than a leather armchair.

For those people, we have fitted the new 718 Cayman GT4 with everything which makes your pulse race. 4.0-litre six- cylinder horizontally opposed and naturally aspirated engine with 420HP, manual transmission, rear wing. With a diffuser which demands respect, and extremely outputoriented aerodynamics. GT3 technology for the chassis and the interior – motorsport genes. The result is a brutal driving machine which has never even heard of autonomous driving.

Perfect? Perhaps. Irrational? Probably. The truth – like the engine – is in the middle. But in this case, this middle is not a compromise, it’s razor sharp.

The new 718 Cayman GT4.

No gentle breeze. The signs show a storm is brewing. A glance at the new 718 Cayman GT4 is enough to see: air resistance is not an issue.

The aerodynamics concept of the new 718 Cayman GT4 has been honed once more. Starting with the front apron. Its clearly defined form with the typical Porsche sweepback gives the headwind an explicit direction and a clear purpose: to produce optimum tyre contact pressure.

The highly distinctive front spoiler lip with an additional spoiler in front of the wheel arches provides aerodynamic downforce on the front axle. The central air intake in the front apron also optimises the aerodynamics and channels the air stream up through the air outlet in front of the front lid. Even the underside of the front spoiler lip has been aerodynamically optimised. Here, a special profile – similar to the surface of a golf ball – ensures as little drag as possible.

Air curtains in the front apron minimise the air turbulence created on the wheels and therefore minimise the drag by releasing the inflowing air precisely in front of the wheels from the wheel arches.

The new air intake grilles are equipped with a honeycombstyle surface finish, meaning they offer the headwind less drag, however, they still reliably protect the radiator from falling rocks – and eat flies for breakfast.

A further example of the performance-oriented design is the side air intakes behind the doors: the sideblades, embossed with the ‘GT4’ logo, create additional dynamic pressure. The result: a better supply of air and more efficient engine cooling.

The vehicle centre of gravity: low. The distance to the road: minimal. The new 718 Cayman GT4 is in close contact with everything that is important to it. Platinum-coloured 20-inch alloy wheels, which almost completely fill the wheel arches, ensure optimum contact. The wide track, in conjunction with the sports tyres, improves both the traction and the cornering performance.

The rear is dominated by the fixed, now single-piece wing with integrated sideblades and supports in aluminium. Its race track origins are unmistakable, it provides downforce on the rear axle and correspondingly high traction – not just when cornering. Simultaneously, it ensures clarity and tells all optimists who want to overtake the new 718 Cayman GT4: forget it.

Sporty end towards the tarmac: the new rear apron. The two black tailpipes of the sports exhaust system are positioned clearly further apart, creating space for the new diffuser. No visual frills, just super sports car technology which produces very fast air flow at the rear underbody and therefore even stronger negative pressure or 40% more downforce on the rear axle than the previous model.

The rest is silence. At least among the rivals of the new 718 Cayman GT4.

Horizontally opposed engine, naturally aspirated, positioned centrally. 4.0-litre displacement. Six cylinders. 309kW (420HP). Sounds crazy. It is.

The completely redeveloped six-cylinder horizontally opposed engine has direct fuel injection (DFI), integrated dry-sump lubrication and adaptive cylinder control. In addition, a variable intake manifold with switchable resonance valves provides the engine with optimum ventilation. It sounds technical and a bit dry, but it’s really the exact opposite.

With the 4.0-litre displacement, the engine generates a mighty 309kW (420HP) – 35HP more than the previous model. The maximum engine speed? 8,000rpm. The maximum torque of 420Nm is from 5,000 to 6,800rpm. Meaning the new 718 Cayman GT4 sprints from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds. The maximum speed: above 300km/h.

A statement in itself: the sound of the new 718 Cayman GT4. Thanks to the new precise sports exhaust system with its two clearly separated black tailpipes left and right of the rear diffuser. For an even more powerful sports car sound at the press of a button.

The precise 6-speed manual transmission is fitted with a dual-mass flywheel and its optimally tuned gear ratios bring the high power output of the engine directly to the road. It also ensures a particularly sporty driving experience. Tight curve ahead, shift down, long straight, shift up: it’s in your hands – in the truest sense of the word. That is performance which is not only measured in power values, but also in all quantities of driving pleasure. And the dynamic throttle-blip function plays its part too in keeping you, and your endorphin levels, busy.

In short: PTV improves the dynamic performance. In detail: the integrated rear differential lock enables higher traction and significantly increased lateral dynamics and vehicle stability during load changes in corners and when changing lanes. In addition, when the car is driven assertively into a corner, brake pressure is applied to the inside rear wheel. Consequently, a greater amount of drive torque is distributed to the outside rear wheel, almost pulling the car into the corner. Steering response is improved, agility is increased.

Is it wise to be jolted lap after lap? To feel every centimetre of the track, your heart rate always off the scale? Of course not. Which is precisely why it is so much fun.

And that is exactly why the adaptive GT sports suspension is more consistently designed for driving pleasure. The result: extraordinary agility, high driving safety and stable handling in the high-speed range. The basis: GT technology. The lightweight spring-strut axle at the front is designed in typical GT style, the lightweight spring-strut axle at the rear is adjusted to the high performance of the new 718 Cayman GT4 with additional reinforcements and helper springs as well as specific wheel mounts. Ball joints on both axles also connect the chassis to the body in a particularly streamlined way, enabling an even more precise wheel control. The height, camber, toe angle and the anti-roll bars of the chassis can be adjusted individually for the race track. You will quickly see what this means.

The electrically regulated system minimises perceptible oscillations and the vibration of the entire drivetrain, in particular the engine. It also adjusts the damping force and stiffness to the driving style and road surface conditions. So that the benefits of a hard and a soft engine mounting arrangement can be used. The handling is noticeably more stable and precise during load changes and in fast corners. At the same time, the vertical oscillations of the engine are reduced during acceleration under full load. The results are greater and more uniform drive force at the rear axle, increased traction and faster acceleration. Whenever a less assertive driving style is adopted, the dynamic transmission mounts soften to provide a heightened level of comfort. If that’s what you want.

This variable damping system offers continuous adjustment of the damping force on each wheel based on the current driving situation and your driving style. At the push of a button, you can choose between two sporty programmes: Normal mode for sporty driving on public roads and Sport mode for maximum lateral acceleration and the best possible traction on the race track. The body is also lowered by 30mm compared with the 718 Cayman for a low vehicle centre of gravity. As a result, the pitch and roll are reduced for increased dynamic performance and extraordinary longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

PSM is an automatic control system for maintaining stability at the limits of dynamic driving performance. In addition to the anti-lock braking system (ABS), it includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TC). Sensors continuously monitor the direction, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration of the car. Using this information, PSM is able to calculate the actual direction of travel and initiate strategic braking of individual wheels to stop you from deviating from your intended line. What’s special about PSM in the new 718 Cayman GT4? The sporty tuning with extremely sensitive and accurate regular systems interventions. In addition, the systems can be switched off completely in two stages.

The 20-inch alloy wheels of the new 718 Cayman GT4 are painted in satin platinum, optionally available in satin aurum, satin black or silver-coloured. A striking detail: the wheel centres with the ‘GT4’ logo.

The dimensions of the road-approved sport tyres are performance oriented. Specifically, 245/35 ZR 20 on 8.5 J × 20 front and 295/30 ZR 20 on 11 J × 20 rear. Multiple contact surfaces and grip with the reduced tread depth increases, however, the risk of aquaplaning on wet surfaces.

The Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) issues warnings in the event of a loss of pressure and also features a race track mode which takes into consideration the pressure and temperature conditions of the tyres when used on the circuit.

Looks good. Feels good. Sporty streamlined purism, customary Porsche high ergonomics. Everything perfect. Everything actually quite rational. Until the engine starts and makes the hairs on your arms stand up.

Immediately the centre of attention: the instrument cluster with three round instruments and a central rev counter, on which the yellow needle skyrockets, typical of the 718. The dial face in a titanium finish is marked with a ‘GT4’ logo.

The GT-specific sports steering wheel has top centre marking and black spokes including inlays. Alcantara® on the steering wheel rim and also on the gear lever ensures good grip. In addition, the material proven in motorsport is used for the door pulls in the door panels, the lid of the centre console storage compartment as well as A-pillars and the roof lining.

The decorative stitching, on the armrests in the doors and the seats, among other places, are upholstered in silver colour. As are the ‘GT4’ logos on the headrests and the door pull loops. The dashboard trim strips and the centre console in brushed aluminium highlight the sporty character of the new 718 Cayman GT4. The brushed aluminium interior package is also optionally available in GT-specific Anthracite.

A leather interior with extensive leather, stitching and Alcantara® items is optionally available. Visual highlight: the dashboard trim strips upholstered in brushed aluminium continue on the doors.

Together with the leather interior, the decorative stitching and the door pull loops can also be upholstered in contrasting colours, red or yellow. The seat belts can also be in matching colours if desired.

The seats of the new 718 Cayman GT4 also reflect its sporty appeal. The cover, in all seat variants, is in black leather, the seat centres in Alcantara®. The headrests are embroidered with the ‘GT4’ logo in different stitching colours according to equipment variant.

In the new 718 Cayman GT4, the Sports seats Plus, with their sporty, firm padding and elevated side bolsters, offer optimum stability. The backrest can be adjusted electrically and the seat height and fore/aft position can be adjusted mechanically.

The adaptive Sports seats Plus go a step further. They complement the Sports seats Plus with an electric 18-way adjustment so the seats can be optimally adapted to meet your needs in terms of seat height, squab and backrest angle, seat depth, fore/aft adjustment and four-way lumbar support. In addition, the side bolsters of the seat and the backrests can be adjusted individually. For tailored lateral stability when cornering and more comfort on long journeys.

The full bucket seats are made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) with carbon-weave finish. This provides especially good lateral support at minimal weight. The fore/aft adjustment is manual, the height adjustment is electric.

Think wisely, act absurdly. Simply human nature. The new 718 Cayman GT4 can therefore be optionally equipped with the Club Sport package for any eventuality. With its components derived from professional motorsport, the Club Sport package offers additional protection on the race track. A little wisdom here and there can’t hurt.

The Club Sport package comprises a steel roll cage with paint finish in black, screwed to the bodywork behind the front seats, and a six-point racing harness for the driver’s side including two shoulder belt designs for use with or without the HANS® safety device (Head And Neck Support).

The package also includes a fire extinguisher with bracket.

Despite all the driving pleasure, sometimes a little seriousness is required. Especially when it comes to quality and sustainability. And the most important thing: your safe arrival.

The new 718 Cayman GT4 shows maximum performance, not only when sprinting from 0 to 100 or more, but also when slowing back down to 0. This is provided by six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed calipers at the front and fourpiston units at the rear with red finish. For greater inherent stability and faster response when applying and releasing the brake, even under extreme loads. The composite brake discs at the front and the rear have a diameter of 380mm and are cross-drilled and internally vented – powerful braking even in adverse weather conditions.

The brakes also have efficient ventilation and cooling for high stability. This is ensured by distinctive cooling channels, as well as brake air spoilers and air guide.

Motorsport tested: the optionally available Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). With their particularly large brake disc diameters, 410mm at the front and 390mm at the rear, they offer even greater braking performance. The use of yellow six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers on the front axle and four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the rear ensures extremely high, and above all constant, braking pressure. PCCB enables shorter braking distances in even the toughest road and race conditions. The main benefit of the ceramic braking system is its extremely low weight. The brake discs are approximately 50% lighter than cast-iron discs of a similar design and size. As well as enhancing driving performance and fuel economy, this reduces unsprung and rotating masses. Which results in better roadholding and increased comfort, particularly on uneven roads.

In addition to the regular maintenance as part of the standard maintenance intervals, additional maintenance must be carried out for racing use.

So that you always know what’s coming towards you, the new 718 Cayman GT4 is fitted with Bi-Xenon main headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights as standard. Bi-Xenon main headlights in black including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and LED main headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) are optionally available.

Advanced airbag technology: integrated in the form of fullsize driver and passenger airbags, which are inflated in two stages depending on the severity and type of accident. Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) is also standard. This consists of side impact protection elements in the doors and two side airbags per side: a thorax airbag is integrated in the side bolster of each seat, while the door panels each contain an upwards-inflating head airbag.

In addition to the analogue and digital stopwatch on the dashboard, the optional Chrono Package boasts even greater functionality: PCM is upgraded to include a special performance display, enabling you to display, store and evaluate recorded lap times. In this way, the driver can view the current lap time and distance, number of laps completed and other times achieved so far. It is also possible to view the current fastest lap and range until empty. Any travelled distances can be recorded and benchmark times defined.

For even greater precision in your lap time measurements, like in motorsport, a lap trigger is available from Porsche Tequipment. This can be placed next to the start/finish line on the circuit where it will clock and share your lap times automatically. Please visit www.porsche.com/tequipment for more information.

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is your central control centre for audio and communication. In its latest generation with mobile phone preparation and audio interfaces, it also features a high-resolution 7˝ touchscreen display, enabling easy control of the majority of in-car functions. On the move, you can enjoy your favourite music via the CD/DVD drive, SD cards, internal 10GB hard drive (jukebox), the AUX input or the USB connection, for your iPhone®, for example. Or you can simply listen to the radio.

The optionally available Apple® CarPlay function enables you to connect your iPhone® to your Porsche and have certain apps shown directly on the central display screen of Porsche Communication Management (PCM). With the Siri® voice recognition interface, you can conveniently use your apps on the move while keeping your full concentration on the road.

The Sound Package Plus ensures an excellent sound. The acoustic pattern in the vehicle interior is perfectly adapted to the driver and passengers by the amplifiers integrated into PCM.

The optional BOSE® Surround Sound System has been specially developed for the 718 models and is optimally tuned to the specific interior acoustics of these particular vehicles. The audio system features 10 loudspeakers and amplifier channels including a patented, 100-watt active subwoofer integral to the vehicle bodyshell. This fully active system set-up enables each individual loudspeaker to be optimally adapted to the vehicle interior. The total output: 505 watts. Should you ever want to drown out the resonant sound of the engine. For whatever reason.

Our wealth of experience goes back a long way. Since the very beginning, Porsche has been dedicated to realising customers’ wishes. Known until 1986 as the 'Sonderwunschprogramm’, then Porsche Exclusive – and now Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

We love what we do. We love our work. Every seam, every square inch of leather and every other fine detail receives the same devotion. We transfer our experience and passion to the vehicle, together with your inspiration – thereby bringing dreams to life. Directly on the shop floor.

None of this would be possible without originality, enthusiasm and attention to detail, beginning as early as the consultation stage. Because we keep one thing in mind above all else: meeting your individual requirements, thereby turning ‘a Porsche’ into ‘your Porsche’.

How do we fulfil these requirements? With composure and care – by means of precision craftsmanship and the use of exquisite materials such as leather, carbon or Alcantara®. The result: a product born of dedication and craftsmanship. In other words, a blend of sportiness, comfort and design that reflects your own personal taste. A Porsche bearing your signature touch.

We offer a wide range of refinement options. Both visual and technical. For the interior and exterior. From a single alteration to extensive modifications. Because your inspiration is our passion.

Take inspiration from our examples on the following pages and visit www.porsche.com/exclusive-manufaktur to learn all about how to configure these extraordinary vehicles.