Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport announced

Porsche is set to introduce a track-only version of its hardcore Cayman GT4 called the Clubsport at the Los Angeles Motor Show next month.

While based heavily on the road car, the racer will be 40kg lighter at just 1300kg and use Porsche's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox rather than the six-speed manual.

Other small detail changes include the front suspension. The GT4 road car shares its front suspension with the 911 GT3, but the GT4 Clubsport upgrades this componentry to GT3 Cup car specification.

The interior is pared back with the removal of the passenger seat but a bolt-in roll cage and six-point harnesses both come standard.

While the Clubsport isn't expected to be road registerable, speculation persists that a more extreme 'RS' version of the Cayman will be introduced in an attempt to meet the demand for this new GT model.

Speaking at the Australian launch of the Cayman GT4, spokesman Paul Ellis said that while Porsche Australia currently held 140 orders for an allocation of "less than 100 cars, he was hopeful that all customers who had put money down would have their order filled.

Ellis said that having never made a mid-engined GT model before, Porsche was very cautious with its sales projections for the hardcore Cayman, caution that has proved unnecessary with customers clamouring to own this new entry-level motorsport model.

In other new Porsche GT news, the Australian order books on the new GT3 RS are closed with order totalling twice Australia's allocation of the most extreme 911 variant.