What if your race car was made out of not carbon fibre, but of plant fibres?
That’s what the new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is partially made out of.
When building the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the key was the sustainable use of raw materials, alongside driveability and quicker lap times.
According to Porsche, the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first production race car to have body parts made of a “natural-fibre composite material”.
The two front doors and rear wing are constructed from an organic fibre mix, sourced from agricultural by-products like flax or hemp fibres.
Porsche claims the mix is similar in weight and stiffness to carbon fibre and helps keep the weight to 1,320kg.
The new Cayman GT4 Clubsport has “significantly” more racing genes than its predecessor, which saw 421 units delivered, said Porsche’s head of motorsport Fritz Enzinger.
Power
Under the hood, the 3.8-litre flat-six engine pushes out 425hp, 40 more than before.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a mechanical rear axle differential lock.
The lightweight spring-strut front suspension is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother, while 380mm steel brake discs feature all around.
Trim levels
The new Cayman GT4 Clubsport comes in two versions: Trackday and Competition.
Aimed at amateur track drivers, the Trackday trim features a fixed shock absorber setup and “forgiving” ABS, ESC and traction control assistance systems.
Air-conditioning, a roof rescue hatch and fire-extinguisher are some of the options available.
Meanwhile, Competition trim features three-stage adjustable shock absorbers for racing use.
Racing features include adjustable brake balance, a 115-litre safety fuel tank and integrated air-jack system.
The quick-release steering wheel from the 911 GT3 R ensures adjustment options for drivers, while fire suppression is handled by an automatic fire extinguishing system.
Costs
Trackday trim will set you back 134,000 euros (S$207,711) while Competition trim nudges the price to 157,000 euros (S$243,363) before taxes.
Both versions can be ordered immediately and will be delivered to teams and drivers around the world from February, Porsche says.
Watch the Cayman GT4 Clubsport in action:
