Over the years the Porsche range has grown and model variants expanded that they really offer something for everyone these days. From their exotic 918 supercar, to the practical Cayenne four wheel drive and the always appealing Boxster, the variety on offer is far removed from the legendary 911. Something that they have been criticised for in recent years is their laziness when it comes to design evolution between the new models, but yet sales are stronger than ever and the Porsche range is a very good looking prospect. 
One of the more puzzling models in the range has always been the Cayman. Conceived as a faster, more driver focussed hardtop version of their successful Boxster, the car seemed like it was merely a marketing exercise to increase sales as it sat almost too perfectly in between the 911 and Boxster. Everything from price, power, top speed, acceleration and even engine size was bang in the middle of the two cars, it bridged the gap and provided a mid-point for those wanting a little bit more than a Boxster yet couldn’t stretch to a 911. Something that always suffered as a result, however, was the styling of the car. Borrowing the front end of the Boxster and merging somewhat awkwardly the rear of the car with an overly long roof line kind of reminiscent of a 911 roof but finishing a bit bizarrely with that Boxster rear, it looked very out of sorts. The revised Cayman sorted the styling out a bit better as the Boxster was also revised simultaneously, obviously with both cars in mind they could do a better job this time, yet it was still far from pretty from the back.
Along came the Geneva Motor Show and Porsche unveiled what fanatics and driving enthusiasts had been waiting for, their most hardcore Cayman yet; the GT4. For proper drivers and well-heeled posers, the GT variants of the 911 have always been the ones to have, whether for amateur track days or to show off on a noisy trip to the supermarket. The Cayman had always lacked the pure driver’s version, possibly to prevent stepping on the toes of 911 owners, but Porsche seem to have changed their mind, and rightly so.
The Cayman GT4 has all the usual GT traits that mark out the 911 versions, yet for those who think the current 911 hardly looks any different to the original, it looks that much more aggressive and track focussed. The fixed rear spoiler, lightweight forged wheel s and added lip grille just below the boot at the front are all synonymous with the bigger car’s GT package. However, with the Cayman being a smaller car the deep bumpers look even chunkier, the huge 20 inch front and rear wheels looked that bit bigger and the side air intakes for the new mid-mounted engine look all the more menacing. 
The fixed rear spoiler sits above the small duck tail spoiler on the bodywork creating a double dose of downforce creating aerodynamics, masking the slightly less awkward looking sloping roof to boot lid area just nicely. The spoiler looks so at home on the GT4 that a regular Cayman now looks like it has something missing, perhaps that explains the odd look to the standard car from the rear. At the front the styling is pure Porsche, with only the taller lights making the car distinguishable from the 911’s trademark round lights. The larger air intakes in the deeper bumper are framed by the black splitter that appears to scrape the ground adding to the look of intent to go racing that the car has.
Racing is probably the eventuality of the car, most GT Porsche’s have a racing series looming when the road going version is released, such is the refinement and engineering of the cars. With the Cayman GT4, Porsche have created a stunning piece of machinery that is sure to give potential 911 owners something to think about when ordering their new car. The detail and finishing touches that the car is graced with is true to the GT tag and the mid-engined layout is definitely going to provide the perfect blend of handling and balance to thrill any serious drivers. But the look and design of the GT4 are what sets it apart from the rest of the Cayman range. It looks purposeful and aggressive and the way that all Cayman’s should, hiding the (admittedly less awkward) rear styling of the newer model behind a large fixed rear spoiler that not only looks the part but is functional too.
HYPE Automotive 