So, you’ve settled on a 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman and you want that 4.0-liter flat-six screaming behind you. Now you’re wondering which one to get? The GTS 4.0 or the GT4? They have the same engine so what else could be different between these two? Quite a lot actually. Here’s a rundown of what’s different between the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and the Cayman GT4 that goes beyond that fixed rear wing.
First and foremost is with the engine. While the 4.0-liter flat-six makes 309 lb-ft of torque with the six-speed manual or 317 lb-ft with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic, it makes 20 hp less in the 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0. Why? A lower redline. The GTS 4.0 redlines at 7,800 rpm while the Cayman GT4 does so at 8,000 rpm. The result is an extra 20 hp, bumping the GT4’s total output to 414 hp. It makes that at a higher rpm, too, peaking at 7,600 rpm versus the GTS 4.0’s 7,000 rpm. With the six-speed manual, the GT4 has a broader torque band, making peak torque between 5,000- to 6,800 rpm.
When it comes to acceleration, Porsche claims that with the Sport Chrono package, the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 can hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds with the manual or 3.8 seconds with the PDK. The Cayman GT4 is good for a 4.2-second 0 to 60 mph run with the manual or 3.7 seconds with the PDK. You also get a higher top speed with the GT4 at 189- and 188 mph for the manual and PDK respectively. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, on the other hand, has a lower top speed of 182 mph with the stick or 179 mph with the PDK.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the 718 Cayman GT4 is 0.2 inches lower at 50.0 inches and 1.9 inches longer at 175.4 inches. The GT4 is also 42 pounds heavier than the GTS 4.0 regardless of the transmission you pick and its wheelbase is also 0.4 inches longer. The Cayman GT4’s aerodynamics are also different, focusing more on all-out performance on the track rather than the GTS 4.0’s more street-friendly focus. As a result, the GT4 gets different bodywork with larger air intakes for better cooling, a front lip spoiler, side air intakes with side blades, a unique rear diffuser, and under panels with two extra ducts for the exhaust system.
The 718 Cayman GT4’s rear wheels are also 0.5 inches wider than the GTS 4.0 and come shod in 245/35ZR20 front and 295/30/ZR20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performance tires. In comparison, the Cayman GTS 4.0 uses 235/34R20 front and 265/35R20 rear rubber on 20-inch alloy wheels. Porsche equips the GTS 4.0 models with either Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or Pirelli P Zero tires.
The suspension in the 718 Cayman GT4 is also significantly different. As one of the vehicles developed under Porsche Motorsport, the same team responsible for the 911 GT models and the 718 Spyder, it gets a more sophisticated setup with spring-struts and partial ball joints. You can also adjust the toe, camber, and anti-roll bars, something you can’t do on the GTS 4.0. The Cayman GT4 also gets dynamic gearbox mounts and helper springs on the rear axle. Both get Porsche’s active suspension but the GT4’s configuration has been lowered by 30 mm, an extra 10 mm over the GTS 4.0, and has variable dampers with a sportier state of tune. The brakes on the Cayman GT4 are also larger at 380 mm all around versus the GTS 4.0’s 350-mm front and 330-mm rear setup. A unique feature of the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder is the ability to turn the electronic stability control (ESC) completely off while keeping traction control active, which you can’t do on the GTS 4.0.
In short, the 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is more street-focused. The 718 Cayman GT4, on the other hand, is more track-oriented. Regardless of which version you get, you’ll be in for a treat on every drive. Between the marvelous chassis, fantastic transmissions, relentless grip, and screamer engine, the 718 GTS 4.0 lineup, the 718 Cayman GT4, and 718 Spyder will overload your senses to make you feel alive. These are driver’s cars in every sense and it doesn’t matter which transmission you get because the level of engagement is just incredible.