Can the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Take on a 911 GT3?
Porsche says the 911’s little brother, the 718 Cayman, shouldn’t out-lap it, whether it be a GT4 RS or not.
That’s right; Car and Driver suggests that Porsche doesn’t want the razor-sharp 2023 718 Cayman GT4 RS to “ lap quicker than the 911 GT3.” However, the track-ready Cayman trim is quick enough to go toe-to-toe with the legacy flagship.
In testing, the Cayman GT4 RS was just one-tenth of a second quicker around Virginia International Raceway (VIR) than the 911 GT3. Specifically, the GT4 RS covered the track in just 2:40.5. Of course, neither contender should be ashamed; it’s a proper David and Goliath story between two of the quickest offerings from one of the best badges in the business.
The 2023 Cayman GT4 RS didn’t pull its punches on VIR
When Car and Driver took the GT4 RS to VIR for its “Lightning Lap 2023” evaluations, the Cayman model proved more analog than its 911 counterpart. For instance, the GT4 RS made a staggering 44% less downforce at 125 mph than the GT3, and the 911’s early-lap lateral g’s were superior to the Cayman.
However, the 718 model’s performance after the Back Straight secured its victory. Ultimately, the Cayman’s win resulted from just 0.6 mph and about 0.1 seconds. There’s nothing lost between these two Porsche performers.
How is the 2023 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS as quick as a 911 GT3?
The Cayman model produces 493 horsepower from its 4.0L flat six-cylinder engine. Moreover, the GT4 RS’ redline is nothing short of superbike status, screaming up to 9,000 rpm with a soundtrack that Car and Driver suggests “normalizes tinnitus.” Of course, even the risk of tinnitus is worth the reward of flogging the GT4 RS around a track.
In the other corner, the 992-generation 911 GT3 weighs around 176 lbs more than the diminutive Cayman, albeit with about nine extra horsepower. The result is a well-matched scrap, wherein a Cayman could conceivably take down its tenured sibling. One thing is for sure, the 911’s dominance isn’t clear with the likes of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
Photos: Porsche