Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

Generations compared: what changed from 1 to 2

What generation 2 actually buys, in numbers:

1 generation ran from 2015-02-01 to 2017-01-31. Body: Coupe. Versions: 1 — 3.8 MT.

2 generation starts 2019-06-01 and has no stop date in the data. Body: Coupe. Versions: 2 — 4.0 MT and 4.0 PDK. There is no restyling listed as a separate generation.

What generation 2 actually buys, in numbers:

Torque is 420 Nm on every version. The second generation does not add newton-metres; it moves the same peak later and wider (5000–6800 instead of 4750–6000) and adds 35 hp from 195 cm³ more capacity and 0.5 more compression.

Power per litre: 3.8 MT 385 / 3.800 = 101.3 hp/L. 4.0 MT and 4.0 PDK 420 / 3.995 = 105.1 hp/L. That is +3.8 hp per litre, not a different engine architecture in this table.

Weight per horsepower (kerb ÷ hp): 3.8 MT 1340 / 385 = 3.48 kg/hp. 4.0 MT 1420 / 420 = 3.38 kg/hp. 4.0 PDK 1450 / 420 = 3.45 kg/hp. The current manual is the densest of the three; the first-generation car is close to the PDK despite 35 fewer horsepower because it is 80–110 kg lighter.

Useful load (gross − kerb): 3.8 MT 300 kg; 4.0 MT 330 kg; 4.0 PDK 330 kg. Generation 2 adds 30 kg of payload on paper.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 specs: engine and drivetrain table

Exact version names as in the data.

Shared on all three: Central placement, Direct injection (direct), 4 valves per cylinder, 98 fuel, Euro 6. Diameter × stroke is 102 × 77.5 on 3.8 MT and 102 × 81.5 on both 4.0 versions (same bore, +4.0 mm stroke). Peak power rpm is 7400 on 3.8 MT and 7600 on 4.0 MT / 4.0 PDK.

Horsepower people search as hp / bhp: this catalogue lists 385 hp for 3.8 MT and 420 hp for both current versions. Kilowatts: 283 vs 309.

Performance and economy: 0–100, top speed, mpg-style figures

0–100 km/h is 4.4 s for 3.8 MT and 4.4 s for 4.0 MT. The extra 35 hp and 80 kg cancel for this test: generation 2’s manual does not improve the 0–100 number. 4.0 PDK is 3.9 s, 0.5 s quicker than either manual. That 0.5 s is the only acceleration gap in the set.

Top speed ranking: 4.0 MT 304 km/h, 4.0 PDK 302 km/h (−2 vs the sister manual), 3.8 MT 295 km/h. Choosing PDK for the 0–100 time costs 2 km/h at the top versus 4.0 MT and still beats the first generation by 7 km/h.

Fuel (L/100 km):

4.0 PDK is the lowest mixed figure and the lowest CO2. Versus 4.0 MT that is −1.3 city, −0.4 highway, −0.7 mixed, −17 g/km CO2. Versus 3.8 MT the PDK is −1.1 city, +0.3 highway, −0.1 mixed, −6 g/km. The current manual is the thirstiest of the three on every consumption column.

Tank range at mixed rate (tank ÷ mixed × 100, arithmetic only): 3.8 MT 54 / 10.3 × 100 ≈ 524 km; 4.0 MT 64 / 10.9 × 100 ≈ 587 km; 4.0 PDK 64 / 10.2 × 100 ≈ 627 km. Generation 2’s +10 L tank more than covers the heavier mixed rate of 4.0 MT.

0–60 mph is not measured in this dataset. Dimensions (overall length, width, height, wheelbase) are not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Wheels are identical on all three. Clearance is only listed for 3.8 MT (105 mm); for both generation-2 versions it is not measured — that is a missing figure, not a statement that the cars have no clearance.

4.0 PDK is 30 kg heavier at the kerb than 4.0 MT and 110 kg heavier than 3.8 MT. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version. Brakes are the generation split: Ventilated disc / Disc ventilated on 3.8 MT, Ceramic ventilated both axles on 4.0 MT and 4.0 PDK. If ceramic vs disc is a purchase criterion, both current versions share the same label; the first generation does not.

Which version to choose

Take 4.0 PDK if the number that matters is 0–100. It is the only version at 3.9 s. It also has the best mixed consumption (10.2), the best CO2 (232), the largest calculated mixed range (~627 km), and the same 420 hp / 420 Nm / 3995 cm³ engine as 4.0 MT. What it is not: the lightest (1450 kg kerb), the highest top speed (302 vs 304), or a Manual. Gearbox is Robotic, 7 speeds. Versus 4.0 MT the extra mass is 30 kg (about 0.07 kg/hp worse: 3.45 vs 3.38). Versus 3.8 MT you pay 110 kg and lose the only measured 105 mm clearance, and you gain 35 hp, 7 km/h, 10 L of tank, Ceramic ventilated brakes, and 0.5 s to 100 km/h.

Take 4.0 MT if the current car must stay a 6-speed Manual and you want the generation-2 engine. Same 420 hp at 7600 rpm, same 3995 cm³, same 13.0 compression as the PDK. It is 30 kg lighter than 4.0 PDK and the best power-to-weight in the catalogue (3.38 kg/hp). Top speed is the set maximum at 304 km/h. The trade: 0–100 stays 4.4 s — identical to the older 3.8 MT — and mixed consumption is the worst at 10.9 L/100 km and 249 g/km CO2. Against 3.8 MT you gain 35 hp, 9 km/h, 10 L tank, Ceramic ventilated brakes, and 0.5 compression; you add 80 kg and you lose the 105 mm clearance figure (not measured on this version).

Take 3.8 MT if kerb weight and a known clearance matter more than the extra 35 hp. 1340 kg is 80 kg under 4.0 MT and 110 kg under 4.0 PDK. Ground clearance 105 mm is the only measured value in the family. 0–100 is the same 4.4 s as 4.0 MT. Highway consumption is the lowest (7.8). Mixed 10.3 sits 0.1 above the PDK and 0.6 below the current manual. You give up 35 hp, 9 km/h versus 4.0 MT, 10 L of tank, Ceramic ventilated brakes, and the later 5000–6800 torque window. Production window is closed: 2015-02-01 to 2017-01-31. This is the only first-generation version in the data.

Do not treat S, GTS, GT4 RS, or Clubsport as choices in this article. They are not in the version list. Horsepower here is 385 or 420, not any other figure. Engine oil capacity is not measured. Price is not measured.

Short rule from the arithmetic: same 0–100 as the old car but current hardware → 4.0 MT. Fastest 0–100 and lowest mixed/CO2 → 4.0 PDK. Lightest, only measured clearance, closed first generation → 3.8 MT.