Sports car shoppers still not happy with Porsche's switch to turbo four cylinder engines in the Boxster and Cayman take note, the automaker now has a pair of flat-six special models of the two cars available now. The 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4.
The specials start with dropping the four cylinder in favour of a 4.0 L flat-six based on the engine in the new 911 Carrera. The 414 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque along with a sky-high 8,000 rpm redline is up 64 hp up on the S models.
Both are six-speed manual only, able to hit 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. They've got Porsche's trademark flat-six sound, but they've also got some eco-friendly tricks like cylinder deactivation and injectors that can fire up to five times per combustion cycle for a more thorough burn.
The Cayman GT4 gets an all-new aero package, 50 percent more downforce that has been achieved without creating more drag thanks to the big rear wing, but also a new underbody diffuser that both versions get. There's a split exhaust for each cylinder bank.
Marking the Spyder, which is the Boxster version is the lightweight convertible top and double-hump rear cover. Taking up a long line of Porsches with that feature, most of them badged Speedster.
Porsche's Active Suspension Management system starts with a 30 mm lowering, and the automaker says this system is "specifically designed for use on the racetrack." So expect it to be sharp. There's torque vectoring at the rear and a mechanically locking rear differential.
Iron brakes with aluminum calipers are standard, with ceramic composites as an option. Porsche says that the Spider gets a new ultra-high-performance tire that helps make the GT4 10 seconds faster than the old GT4 on the Nurburgring.
Inside are goodies like the GT Sport steering wheel, loads of Alcantara, and heavily bolstered sports seats. A Spyder Classic interior adds a two-tone red and black look that can also be had as a two-tone roof. with silver metallic trim.
The cars are available to order now at your local Porsche store, with the Spyder from $110,500 and the Cayman GT4 from $113,800.
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