It’s not quite a Cayman GT3, but it’s the next-best thing: the Porsche Cayman GTS. Yes, the entry-level coupe and its soft-top stablemate, the Boxster, will spawn uprated GTS models later this year. Expect to see a Porsche Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS at the Beijing motor show in April 2014.
Like the now-defunct 997 GTS and current Panamera GTS, the new mid-engined twins will receive subtle drivetrain and chassis upgrades, and a Porsche ‘SportDesign’ bodykit to mark them out from lesser Porkers.
Thanks to a reported leak during a Porsche USA new model briefing, we can bring you the details on just how Porsche plans to make two of the world’s best sports cars even more fun.
What powers the Porsche Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS?
A tuned version of the 3.4-litre flat-six that rests amidships in the current Boxster S and Cayman S. A token 15bhp power bump boosts the Boxster GTS to 330bhp; the Cayman GTS further still to 340bhp.
It’s no headline boost, but it’s still enough to shave 0.1sec off each car’s 0-62mph time versus its regular ‘S’ version. So, the Boxster GTS will do the sprint in 5.0sec as a manual (4.9sec with PDK on board), and the Cayman GTS manages 4.9sec, or a 911 Carrera-baiting 4.8sec with PDK.
So there’ll be two transmission options?
Yes! Unlike the hard-core 991 GT3, you can still have a stick-shift – in fact, it comes as standard on both cars. Though the paddleshift PDK ’box is an option, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) will be standard-fit on Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS models.
PASM is essentially adaptive damping, allowing the driver to switch between ‘Normal’ and stiffer ‘Sport’ modes by prodding a damper icon button on the centre console. The ride height of Porsches equipped with PASM is 10mm lower than those on regular passive dampers to further improve agility.
What else do I get on my Boxster or Cayman GTS?
20in ‘Carrera S’ alloy wheels are standard. Don’t be fooled by the 19s on the test mules in CAR’s spy gallery – that’s just a winter tyre-shod red herring. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the Cayman GTS pictured here wears the yellow calliper giveaways of PCCB (Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes). The track-spec stoppers are thought to remain a pricey option, commanding circa-£5000 premium over the smaller steel discs.
Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS models will also feature a subtle 918 Spyder-inspired bodykit. As seen in our spy shots, the cars get a reprofiled front bumper with more angular air intakes, plus slim LED running lights. Twin exhaust pipes are housed in a more aggressive rear diffuser. Unlike the old Cayman R, there’s no fixed rear spoiler – both cars retain their pop-up wings.
How much will I pay for a GTS?
A several thousand-pound premium for either, versus their Boxster S and Cayman S counterparts. The Boxster GTS is likely to tip over the £50,000 mark, with the Cayman GTS slightly more again at £52,000-£53,000. The cheapest 911, remember, is £73,413.
The GTS twins will go on sale in May 2014, after their April 2014 debut in Beijing. Looks like life just got a little tougher for the Jaguar F-type and Lotus Evora.
>> Are GTS versions of the Cayman and Boxster your ideal Porsche sports cars? Add your thoughts in the comments below