While the Porsche 718 Cayman may play second fiddle to the 911, it’s certainly not to be underestimated. Recently, a Cayman achieved a lap time at the Nürburgring that is impressively close to the 918 Spyder hypercar and even outpaced the last-generation 911 GT3.
Porsche has revealed that the 718 Cayman GT4 RS has set a new benchmark time at the infamous ‘Ring, clocking in at 7:03.121 with enhancements from Manthey Racing. Known for their work on the 911 GT2 RS MR, which secured the track’s production car record in 2021, Manthey has been the Porsche GT racing team since 2013. It’s clear that they are experts in their craft, which is why Porsche sought their expertise to elevate the already impressive performance of the 493-horsepower Cayman GT4 RS.
Manthey revamped the GT4 RS’s aerodynamics for track performance, incorporating new air curtains, a front-fender Gurney flap, and a carbon underbody with diffusers to reduce lift. They widened the rear wing by 3.4 inches, added larger side blades, and introduced a fourth adjustability setting compared to the standard three. The revised wing is now mounted on a carbon fiber-reinforced engine cover and further enhances airflow with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) aerodiscs on the rear wheels. Overall, rear downforce is boosted by 90%, from 196 pounds at 120 mph to 372.
To fully utilize the added downforce, Manthey replaced the suspension with custom inverted-shock coilovers. These feature adjustable rebound and compression, 20% stiffer spring rates, and are compatible with or without the car’s optional front-end lift system. Completing the package are braided steel brake lines, and there will also be optional racing pads, CFRP front fender vents, and a CFRP rear spoiler that increases downforce by 4%. Additionally, Manthey will offer door sill lights and tow loops for those interested.
Collectively, these modifications have shaved six seconds off the time of the Manthey-upgraded Cayman around the Nürburgring. This places it just one second behind the 918 Spyder—despite having more power and all-wheel drive, indicating that the Cayman likely made up the difference in the corners. Its cornering capability is so impressive that it significantly outperforms the 991.2 GT3’s 7:12.7 time from 2019. It’s noteworthy that these times were achieved using Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires without any tire changes.
As evident from the details provided, the Manthey Kit will be accessible to the public, and Porsche has confirmed that it will be available in the United States as well. Pricing and release date are yet to be determined, but it’s reassuring to know that the finest Cayman enhancements won’t be exclusive to a single region.
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