Let's clarify the term "GT4"

[Porter]

This keeps coming up in a lot of threads. I feel like maybe there's a lack of common knowledge around this issue, so let's talk about it.


Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 = special edition sport model street car. Intended and type approved for public road use. The "GT4" designation is a homage reference to the name of the racing class, but is not reflective of any actual racing qualification or homologation.

Lotus Emira GT4 = factory-built race car for privateer customer racing. Not legal for registration as a road car in any jurisdiction worldwide. "GT4" designation reflects the vehicle's FIA/SRO homologation for the GT4 competition class in multiple racing series worldwide.


So to be clear... the Emira GT4 is NOT a racier special version of the Emira road car, because it's not a road car. They are as different (functionally and legally) as a Ford sedan and a Ford farming tractor.

The Cayman GT4 is, conversely, not a race car, it's just named to sound like one for marketing purposes and because many owners like to play with them on race tracks. That's not the same as actual professional racing, which is a very different thing involving sanctioning bodies, a rule book, scrutineering, extensive tightly integrated safety equipment, and very explicitly managed competition. A Cayman GT4 road car cannot be entered in GT4 class competition because it meets almost none of the rules that define the class. The name GT4 is used as an aspirational marketing exercise only.

The Emira GT4 and the Cayman GT4 are not competitors, because they aren't even the same kind of object. They aren't intended for any of the same purposes, and don't live in the same context in the world. Different horses for different courses.

Happy to unpack this further, if anyone is interested.

 

[TXEMIRA]

Well said. Educational.

#ForTheTractor

 

[Mangoose]

So to be clear... did you just purposely compare the Emira to a farming tractor because of that wheel gap?

 

[CarGuy07]

So once again we should not be comparing any Emira to a Porsche GT4. It’s not a fair comparison. Otherwise, it will frustrate the reader/watcher.

 

[mjw930]

Here is the Porsche GT4 the Emira GT4 needs to have its eyes on.

718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport | Porsche Motorsport Hub

The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents pure motorsport.

motorsports.porsche.com

Then next year it looks like the target changes.

718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport | Porsche Motorsport Hub

The entry into GT racing: faster than ever. The new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

motorsports.porsche.com

I’m thinking this could get interesting.

 

[CarGuy07]

The GT4 RS Clubsport will blow away the Emira GT4

Next Jethro review: we just happen to have a GT4 RS CS here…
Emira Forum: it’s not fair! He shouldn’t have done that.

 

[kitkat]

Thank you for this thread. Incoming Honeywell rant about Porsche paid sponsorship incoming.

 

[Porter]

The GT4 RS Clubsport will blow away the Emira GT4

That's literally not a thing. It doesn't work that way. A GT4 class race car is a GT4 class race car. They are all a bit different from each other, but there's no single dominant model or design. The sanctioning body will apply BOP or other mitigations to make the competition roughly even. That's how it works.

 

[kitkat]

Next Jethro review: we just happen to have a GT4 RS CS here…
Emira Forum: it’s not fair! He shouldn’t have done that.

With balance of power we might finally get an Emira that’s competitive in some comparison.

 

[Porter]

Here is the Porsche GT4 the Emira GT4 needs to have its eyes on.

718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport | Porsche Motorsport Hub

The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents pure motorsport.

motorsports.porsche.com

Then next year it looks like the target changes.

718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport | Porsche Motorsport Hub

The entry into GT racing: faster than ever. The new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

motorsports.porsche.com

I’m thinking this could get interesting.

The most important thing that is changing in that scenario is the name. Don't get distracted by the added NACA ducts on the hood and other visual cues. They are updating the model designation used on the competition vehicle so that it can be used more effectively to market the production road car, and adding some as-delivered spec increases (that will change once prepared for actual racing) in order to show additional development progression compared to the previous model.

 

[virtualmacho]

The GT4 tractor seems to be an all electric, roof-less, door-less monster machine. Just look at the spartan interior and controls, and you'll know that it's specially tuned for the airstrip. And it has a proper key!

Baggage tow tractor - CARGO HANDLING - GUANGTAI

Weihai Guangzhou Thai airport equipment Limited by Share Ltd

enru.guangtai.com.cn

 

[kitkat]

The GT4 tractor seems to be an all electric, roof-less, door-less monster machine. Just look at the spartan interior and controls, and you'll know that it's specially tuned for the airstrip. And it has a proper key!

Baggage tow tractor - CARGO HANDLING - GUANGTAI

Weihai Guangzhou Thai airport equipment Limited by Share Ltd

enru.guangtai.com.cn

I don’t even see a hood to inspect panel gaps.

 

[Porter]

So once again we should not be comparing any Emira to a Porsche GT4. It’s not a fair comparison. Otherwise, it will frustrate the reader/watcher.

I didn't say that. Lotus will likely release a special model Emira road car in the next few years that will be intended as a competitive product in the Cayman GT4 / Cayman GT4 RS market space. It will almost certainly be based on the AMG I4, with significantly higher engine output than the specs quoted thus far for the Emira 4cyl, and will likely include very high quality competition-grade adjustable suspension. This is a formula previously employed by Lotus on Exige and Evora special models.

 

[mjw930]

The most important thing that is changing in that scenario is the name. Don't get distracted by the added NACA ducts on the hood and other visual cues. They are updating the model designation used on the competition vehicle so that it can be used more effectively to market the production road car, and adding some as-delivered spec increases (that will change once prepared for actual racing) in order to show additional development progression compared to the previous model.

Well, not according to the Porsche Motorsports website. It’s a bit more than NACA ducts. Gonna take a lot of BOP to counter 75 BHP.

GT4 Clubsport

Technical Specs

Engine	Aluminum six-cylinder mid-mounted boxer engine, rigid mounting
Displacement	3,800cc
Power	313kW (425hp)
Transmission	Rigidly mounted performance-based 6-speed PDK-gearbox (DCT, dual clutch transmission)
Weight	1,320 kg

GT4RS Clubsport

Technical data

Engine	Naturally aspirated 6-cylinder boxer engine in mid-engine design with rigid suspension
Displacement	3,996 cm³
Power	368 kW (500 PS)
Transmission	7-speed PDK transmission with rigid suspension
Homologated unladen vehicle weight	1,330 kg

 

[wallstbear]

BTW, the messy naming logic is another reason I am not a big fan of Porsche.

I deal with enough messy stuff at work already.

 

[Porter]

Well, not according to the Porsche Motorsports website. It’s a bit more than NACA ducts. Gonna take a lot of BOP to counter 75 BHP.

There's not much of a point to a race series if one of the competitors has a significantly faster vehicle.

 

[Den]

 

[mjw930]

There's not much of a point to a race series if one of the competitors has a significantly faster vehicle.

One would assume the competition all up their game. Every one of them has more HP on tap. Most are detuned to meet regulations. In IMSA the Ford GT was detuned from 640HP to 500HP to meet regulations. The street car on slicks is significantly faster that the dedicated GTLM car. But that’s probably a bad example.

 

[Porter]

One would assume the competition all up their game. Every one of them has more HP on tap. Most are detuned to meet regulations. In IMSA the Ford GT was detuned from 640HP to 500HP to meet regulations. The street car on slicks is significantly faster that the dedicated GTLM car. But that’s probably a bad example.

That's my whole point. "Detuned to meet regulations" means it doesn't matter what the performance claims were prior to being detuned to meet the particulars of a sanctioning body's rulebook.

 

[mjw930]

That's my whole point. "Detuned to meet regulations" means it doesn't matter what the performance claims were prior to being detuned to meet the particulars of a sanctioning body's rulebook.

And my point is it appears the sanctioning body is changing the spec for 2023. Porsche has indicated the GT4RS is built to homologation spec and is publishing 500PS. BMW has announced a 550PS capable M4 GT4 race car (depending on regulations) and Lotus drops a GT4 with 400PS? Talk about digging a hole for yourself.

It just seems odd that everyone would need to massively detune to compete. Why exert the effort to reach the new numbers?