Unveiled here at the L.A. Auto Show is the latest pinnacle of the 718 family: the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The big headline here is the engine. Like the regular GT4, it has a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six that revs to 9,000 rpm, but this would be the new version shared by the equally new 911 GT3 and the its Cup car racing cousin. The letters RS therefore bring with them an extra 79 horses for a grand total of 493 horsepower plus 331 pound-feet of torque. That's up by 14 lb-ft. Like every Porsche RS model, a seven-speed PDK transmission is mandatory and features shorter gearing than the "regular" GT4's available PDK.

The price is $143,050 to start, including destination, which represents a price premium of $40,500 for the letters RS and everything they entail.

Video Transcript

JAMES RISWICK: It's West Coast editor James Riswick at the LA Auto Show with the new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. While the regular GT4 shares its naturally aspirated four-liter flat six with the last 911 GT3, this has the new four liter from the new GT3. And it doesn't make quite as much power, 493 horsepower, but that's still 79 more than the, quote, regular GT4.

Now like other RS models, this only comes with PDK. There it is with, as the GT4 has, a shifter that looks like a manual, even though it isn't. And the 0 to 60 time for this is 3.2 seconds.

Now with the bigger engine comes the need for more air, and to accomplish that, Porsche added these intakes where the rear quarter windows would normally be.

Besides more power, this weighs 49 pounds less due to the carbon-fiber fenders as well as the front lid. There's also lightweight rear glass and lightweight interior door panels.

Now, this car has the optional Weissach Package, which adds carbon-fiber pieces like the air intakes as well as the mirror caps, the exposed carbon fiber of the hood, as well as carbon fiber for the swan-neck spoiler.

Now, the track-tuned suspension has ball-joint connections to the body like the new GT3 and RS-specific tuning of the damper springs and antiroll bars.

Now this car, because it's the Weissach Package, it has magnesium wheels, and this blue color is one of the optional finishes for them.

Now it all adds up to tangible improvements over the GT4, and it also comes with a tangible price increase of more than $40,000 to about $140,000. Now, it will reach dealers next summer.