Porsche debuts four new models at LA Auto Show

Porsche has used the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show to launch new products: the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS, 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Taycan GTS and the Panamera Platinum Edition.

Cayman GT4 RS

The model is characterised by baby GT3 RS styling with a black bonnet and cooling louvres — and it also gets a new swan-neck fixed rear wing with aluminium wing supports that Porsche says is modelled on the highly efficient wing principle from the Porsche 911 RSR GT racing car, and shared with the new and larger 911 GT3.

Not far from the spoiler are process air intakes behind the driver and passenger windows for improved intake airflow to bring the delicious intake blares in earshot of passengers as the driver works out the naturally aspirated 4.0l flat-six engine with outputs of 386kW and 450Nm, a 59kW and 20Nm increase over the Cayman GT4.

The engine revs to 9,000rpm and is mated to a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission for a zero-to-100km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 315km/h.

The new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS has outpaced its 718 Cayman GT4 sibling on the 20.6km Nürburgring Nordschleife by more than 23 seconds with a time of 7:04.511 minutes. There’s an optional Weissach package for further lightening of the GT4 RS.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport is a more extreme version for customer racing, honed with upgraded details to further improve the overall performance. This includes a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) featuring shorter gear ratios.

The new Cayman GT4 RS is priced at R2,507,000.

Taycan GTS and Sport Turismo

Porsche’s full-electric Taycan sedan range has also been revealed with the GTS badge. Known for offering a balanced scale of daily driveability and performance, the GTS models become the first Taycans with a driving range of more than 500km.

They are equipped with adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). The optional rear-axle steering system is tweaked for sportier sensations.

The big news here is that Porsche has introduced a third body style for the Taycan range. Not to be confused with the Taycan Cross Turismo, the new Sport Turismo is more of a conventional sport wagon derivative minus the off-road intent of the other. It doesn’t feature a height adjustable suspension to enable bundu-bashing as it’s a pure wagon variant of the Taycan with a 1,200l boot.

Just as with other Porsche GTS models these sportier Taycans are equipped with a modified Porsche Electric Sport Sound pattern. Taycan GTS models put out 440kW with a sprint from zero to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 250km/h.

Distinctive exterior and interior hallmarks include numerous black or dark details on the front apron, exterior mirror and side window trims, black Race-Tex material features and brushed aluminium with black anodised finish, while a new and optional panoramic roof with Sunshine Control is available for the Taycan GTS.

The latter is an electrically switchable liquid crystal film that can change the roof from clear to matt to protect the occupants from glare without darkening the interior. The roof is divided into nine segments that can be switched individually.

Porsche SA is not marketing the new Taycan Sport Turismo GTS locally, but the Taycan GTS sedan will cost R3,169,000.

Panamera Platinum Edition

The Panamera Platinum Edition introduces discreet Satin Gloss Platinum features with higher specification as standard.

Platinum-painted 20 or 21-inch Exclusive Design Sport wheels, black sports tailpipes, privacy glass, side-window trims in high-gloss black and exclusive-design tail lights identify it from other Panameras.

Pricing:

Panamera Platinum Edition — R1,929,00

Panamera 4 Platinum Edition — R2,019,00

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Platinum Edition — R2,409,000

All models come with a three-year/100,000km Driveplan.