Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, Spyder discontinued (2024)

Production of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 coupe and 718 Spyder convertible will soon come to an end – as the final models of their kind before the 718 range goes electric from the middle of this decade.

Introduced in 2019, the 718 Cayman GT4 coupe is the 'entry-level' track-focused GT version of Porsche's smallest sports car – below the hardcore GT4 RS unveiled in 2021 – with a drop-top twin in the 718 (Boxster) Spyder.

Porsche has confirmed production will conclude in the coming months with the end of model-year 2023 (MY23), after a production run of three and a half years.

This is significantly longer than most Porsche GT models, which are typically sold for about two years before the standard model on which are based is given a facelift, or an all-new model.

However, the life cycle of the 718 Boxster and Cayman twins has been twice as long as their predecessors – and they have skipped a mid-life facelift – as their replacements are instead set to adopt electric power.

Due in showrooms in the "middle of the decade", according to Porsche – likely between 2024 and 2026 – the new 718 will be the company's first electric two-door car, and the company's third battery-powered vehicle.

It is unclear if there will be GT track-focused versions of the electric 718 – which has only been spied in Boxster guise thus far – but Porsche has signalled an interest in forming a one-make racing series with the new car, which could pave the way for a road version.

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If an electric 718 Spyder – or 718 Cayman GT4 – is given the green light, it would be unlikely to arrive until two years into the battery-powered model's life.

While the 718 GT4 and Spyder will be discontinued, the hardcore 718 Cayman GT4 RS will remain on sale for the immediate future, and has been confirmed to be part of the Model Year 2024 range, which is forecast to remain in production until mid next year.

Porsche GT cars director Andreas Preuninger told the UK's Top Gear in late 2021 the GT4 RS would "not [be] a limited car", and have a production run of "at least two, two and a half years".

Given the GT4 RS entered production in early 2022, it would mean it is not due to exit production until the middle, or second half of 2024.

It is understood the number of expressions of interest held by Porsche Cars Australia for the GT4 RS exceed its anticipated production allocation for 2024 – meaning the car could be sold out for the rest of its model run.

Spy photos show the 718 Cayman GT4 RS will be joined by a convertible version, expected to be known as the 718 Spyder RS – combining the defunct 718 Spyder's body with the Cayman GT4 RS coupe's engine and chassis enhancements.

Porsche is yet to confirm plans for this model, though it is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, and go on sale in Europe later this year, as the final iteration (or one of the final iterations) of the current 718 range.

A statement given by Porsche to US media reads: "Limited production phases are a natural part of the process and part of the overall product strategy. With the 2024 model year these models will run out of production while all other models will continue."

A Porsche Cars Australia spokesperson told Drive: "At this time our orders exceed our expected production."

Powering the 718 Cayman GT4 and Spyder is a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat six-cylinder engine, sending 309kW and 420Nm to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, rising to 430Nm with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

This 8000rpm engine – dubbed the '9A2 Evo' – was largely created exclusively for the GT4 and Spyder, and was developed from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six in most 911 models, albeit with little to no carry-over parts.

The Cayman GT4 RS is also powered by a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine, but it is the race-derived motor from the larger 911 GT3 – tuned to produce 368kW and 450Nm (10kW/20Nm less than the GT3) with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Buyers interested in the GT4 and Spyder's 4.0-litre engine can still order it in the 294kW/420Nm 'GTS 4.0' versions of the Boxster and Cayman, priced from $196,400 plus on-road costs.

Long wait times are also expected on these models.

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