Porsche returns to rallying

After long months of evaluation, Porsche gave the green light to a commitment in rally. The German manufacturer announced Friday January 18 that it was working on a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport adapted to FIA R-GT regulations for entry into service in 2020. 

The little sister of the 911 had already been entitled to a first rally version, through the opening car of Romain Dumas during the 2018 Rally Germany. But at the time, there was no indication that Porsche wanted to officially commit to a GT development and sales program suitable for rallying. 

As a reminder, here is what Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, vice-president of Porsche Motorsport and GT, explained in August 2018. “Based on feedback and interest from potential customers, we will decide by the end of the year whether we will develop a rally competition car on a future Porsche model in the medium term. »

It is true that the reflection period has been slightly exceeded, but the response is positive, thanks precisely to the Frenchman's exit among the German vines. “The response from rally fans, teams, drivers and organizers was a decisive factor in granting the new program”, reveals the official press release.

The rally Porsche will be based, not on the Cayman GT4 Clubsport illustrated above, but on the new version unveiled at the beginning of January 2019 by the firm from Zuffenhausen (Germany), namely the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The power of this model is 425 horsepower, carried by a 3.8l flat-six naturally aspirated block.