Porsche Cayman GT4

The 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4, abbreviated as Cayman GT4 '16 and Porsche Cayman, is a MR sports car by Porsche featured in the Porsche Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3 and as standard in all subsequent titles. Priced higher than the Cayman GTS, the GT4 is the flagship model of the 981c codenamed second generation Porsche Cayman. It is designed as a track-ready car and uses several components derived from the larger Porsche 911 series such as the engine and front suspension. In comparison with the Cayman GTS, the GT4 weighs only 10 lb (5 kg) less but features improved handling characteristics due to being fitted wider tyres, a fixed rear wing and the front suspension from the 911 GT3. It is powered by a 3.8 litre flat-six engine from the 911 Carrera S with 385 hp (287 kW) and was only available with a six-speed manual transmission, making the GT4 the last Cayman model available with this configuration. The succeeding model generation is only offered with turbocharged engines. 鈫?"Porsche and Forza Together!". 鈫?"Porsche Cayman GT4".

The 40 TDI is a strong engine and, unlike its predecessor, fairly refined here - more refined than the Mercedes鈥?diesel. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is responsive and smooth, while the Audi鈥檚 ride on adaptive dampers is the trick that steals the show. Even on our car鈥檚 upgraded 20-inch alloys the damping is smooth and controlled, so unlike older S line Audis on big wheels that used to crash and bump, this Avant feels plush and composed. It鈥檚 more comfortable than the E-Class on the motorway and thumps less over bumps, while it鈥檚 also more compliant at low speed. However, you don鈥檛 lose body control because although the Audi feels weighty and the steering fairly lifeless, the suspension does a good job of controlling the forces at work so there鈥檚 a good level of grip. It鈥檚 not the most agile car, but neither is the Mercedes. If anything, the Audi feels a little pointier.

There鈥檚 performance to match. It equalled the Mercedes from 0-60mph, taking 7.6 seconds, but despite having fewer ratios in its gearbox it was broadly on par with the E-Class in gear, no doubt helped by a 105kg kerbweight advantage. Big estate cars like these need to offer cavernous carrying capacity, and this is where the Audi falls down. With the rear seats up there鈥檚 only 565 litres of luggage space, compared with 640 litres in the Mercedes. While this is enough for most situations, if you鈥檙e going away on holiday or trying to load awkwardly shaped items like mountain bikes, the E-Class will be easier. Otherwise the interior is roomy, with plenty of space in the rear. The bench seat is low so headroom isn鈥檛 an issue, and legroom is on par with the Mercedes鈥? Although both models are comfortable in this respect, the E-Class鈥檚 less absorbent ride degrades this slightly. Audi finished just ahead of Mercedes in our Driver Power 2018 satisfaction survey, ranking in 18th compared with a result of 20th for its German rival. Much of the tech is plucked from elsewhere in the range, so although the A6 is a new car, its components are proven.

That includes the safety equipment, too. You get autonomous braking, lane-departure warning, matrix LED lights and eight airbags; that鈥檚 one more than the Mercedes. Blind spot warning is extra as part of the 拢1,375 City Assist Pack, and this also brings cross traffic alert. The 拢1,950 Tour Pack features lane keep assist, adaptive cruise with semi-autonomous driving and traffic sign recognition. With the standard safety kit, the A6 in all forms gets a full-five star Euro NCAP rating. The 124g/km CO2 Audi is pricier than the Mercedes (135g/km) and sits three Benefit-in-Kind groups lower. If you鈥檙e a higher-rate taxpayer you鈥檒l pay 拢5,085 per year in company car tax, or 拢329 less than for the E-Class. Its efficiency was matched on paper because the A6 returned 47.0mpg, compared with 46.5mpg in the E-Class Estate. This means you鈥檒l spend 拢1,576 and 拢1,593 per year on fuel respectively, which is obviously only a marginal difference. Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淟evers in the boot of the A6 Avant mean you can fold the rear seats remotely. The Mercedes E-Class Estate is a practical, premium package, and has price on its side compared with the Audi here. But is it a more attractive proposition?