Performance Review: Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 - [2015]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Cayman Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular Porsche Cayman has a 3800cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The Cayman shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cayman's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1415 kgs (3119 lbs) this makes the Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Cayman shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3800cc 24V F6 engine produces 380 bhp (283 kW) @ 7400 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 310 lb-ft (420.3 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche Cayman you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Cayman.

The Porsche Cayman has a Power to weight ratio of 268.5 bhp per ton and 219.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 Cayman competing with the 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (292.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche Cayman generating around 219.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG (244.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 (243.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs). This Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cayman and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Cayman on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.67 secs @ 107.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI (12.62 secs), the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (12.64 secs), and the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (12.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 has a maximum speed of 183mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 Cayman equals the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 then how about the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph), the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (194 mph), or the 2016 NIO EP9 1MW (194 mph).

Related Links:

2015 Cayman Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison