A new prototype of the forthcoming Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 has been spied testing at the Nurburgring and much like others snapped last year, it appears to be wearing its production-ready skin and inching towards its global premiere. The original Porsche Cayman GT4, introduced back in 2015, was a huge success for the German car manufacturer. However, the new 718 Cayman GT4 will launch with a six-speed manual and a PDK will only become available at a later date. It is believed that power will be sourced from either a 4.0-liter flat-six engine free of any kind of forced induction. Power for the previous-generation GT4 sat at 380 hp but this new model could have upwards of 420 hp. That may not be quite as much as the 911 GT3 but the mid-engine layout of the Cayman promises to make it an exceptional driver鈥檚 car. The 718 Cayman GT4 should weigh slightly less than other Cayman versions and could shed as much as 110 lbs (50 kg). The sprint from a standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) should take roughly four seconds with the car running through to a top speed of around 185 mph (297 km/h). From a visual standpoint, the most obvious difference between the new GT4 and lesser Cayman models will be the rear wing. Sitting on a set of sky-high uprights, the wing is much larger than the previous GT4 and features larger endplates. Elsewhere, the car comes equipped with a revised rear diffuser where a pair of exhausts neatly stick out. Other alterations will include a tweaked front fascia with larger air intakes and a set of larger wheels.
The Golf isn鈥檛 the finest driver鈥檚 car in this class - mainly because of its numb steering - but it is the best here. The engine is quiet, smooth and punchy, thanks to its 200Nm of torque from as low as 1,400rpm. It took 8.7 seconds to go from 30-70mph through the gears, due in part to its dual-clutch gearbox. The Corolla was quite a bit slower, completing the same test in 11.7 seconds, while the eight-speed Peugeot managed the 30-70mph test through the gears in 9.8 seconds, splitting its two competitors. VW鈥檚 hatch was quicker than both of its rivals in gear as well, because it went from 30-50mph in just 3.8 seconds. The Corolla took 4.4 seconds using full throttle (it doesn鈥檛 have gears to directly compare here), while the 308 posted a time of 4.3 seconds. The DSG transmission shifts smoothly, although it does sometimes struggle to choose the correct gear in traffic and stop-start situations in town. The gearbox does mean that, unlike the Corolla, you don鈥檛 need to work the engine hard to add speed, since the torque is produced low in the rev range, so the box doesn鈥檛 need to shift down.
This is one of the VW鈥檚 strong points, because the Golf is roomy inside and there鈥檚 lots of head and legroom in the rear. The doors open wide, and large door bins, a big glovebox and a deep cubby between the front seats mean in-car storage is good, too. There鈥檚 also a place to put your phone ahead of the gearshifter, although access to the USB port is tricky. EURO NCAP awarded the Golf five stars and the model has extra safety tech now compared with when it was first tested. All cars get seven airbags and autonomous braking with pedestrian detection. GT models feature adaptive cruise control and parking sensors, but a reversing camera is 拢340 and lane-keep assist and blind spot warning are part of option packs (the lowest-priced pack to bring the former is 拢55, the latter 拢1,120). Volkswagen scored highly in our Driver Power 2018 poll, finishing fifth overall in the manufacturer section. That was ahead of Toyota and Peugeot, which were 12th and 17th respectively out of 26 brands.
The Golf鈥檚 41.9mpg return on test was in between the Toyota and the Peugeot, and it鈥檒l manage 461 miles on a single tank. Estimated residuals are okay, at 41.7 per cent after three years, but the Toyota鈥檚 44.1 per cent figure is a little higher. Both beat the Peugeot鈥檚 39.9 per cent. Our experts predict that the Golf will be worth 拢10,734 after 36 months, a loss of 拢15,006. It should be worth more than the 308, at 拢10,003 (losing 拢15,067), but the Corolla trumps both rivals because it will be worth 拢12,059. However, the pricey Toyota actually loses the most cash, at 拢15,286. Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淭here are plenty of engines and trim levels to pick from in the Golf鈥檚 wide range. The Peugeot 308鈥檚 sharp styling means it competes with the Corolla for the attention of buyers. This 1.2-litre petrol auto in GT Line trim costs 拢25,070, so it鈥檚 the cheapest car here, but you鈥檒l need to add optional extras to match the Toyota鈥檚 kit list.
Peugeot鈥檚 308 is based on the versatile EMP2 platform, which also underpins the 3008 and 5008 SUVs, and even the larger 508 saloon. At the front it uses pseudo-MacPherson struts, while at the back there鈥檚 a de-formable crossmember (torsion beam). It鈥檚 a less sophisticated set-up than in either rival here, because they have multi-link set-ups. The 308 also features a three-cylinder engine, but don鈥檛 think that having one less cylinder than the VW and Toyota puts it at a disadvantage; the 1.2-litre unit is the most powerful on test, producing 129bhp and 230Nm of torque. There鈥檚 also a traditional torque- converter automatic gearbox, with eight ratios. Peugeot calls its interior design 鈥榠-Cockpit鈥? and that means there鈥檚 a divisive driving position and tiny steering wheel, with the dials positioned just above instead of behind it. The layout works for some drivers, but not others. Material quality is a little way behind the Golf鈥檚, and about on par with the Toyota on the important touch points.
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