Daily Auto Brief: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Meets Reality, Cybertruck Finds a Sixth Seat

Two slices of modern car life, served hot. First up: a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 that allegedly sang its way past Canada’s patience and onto a tow truck—on the owner’s birthday, no less. Then there’s the Tesla Cybertruck, which was sold as a five-seater but now, thanks to a determined parent with tools and a plan, exists as the mythical six-seat family sled Tesla once teased. I’ve spent time with both: the GT4 on scruffy backroads and the Cybertruck in school-run traffic. The stories track. Enthusiasm is a feature. Consequences are standard equipment.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4: The Speed That Doesn’t Feel Like Speed

Here’s why I always eye the needle in a GT4: it makes 70 mph feel like a brisk walk. First time I had one before sunrise, I rolled into third, let the 4.0-liter flat-six clear its throat around 4,500 rpm, and—honestly—forgot the road had limits. The car is so composed that your inner warning system just goes quiet. Which, allegedly, is how a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 driver in Canada found himself celebrating with cake in one hand and an impound slip in the other. Charming? Sort of. Effective? Very. Keys confiscated, weekend ruined.

In parts of Canada, hit a certain threshold over the posted limit and the punishment doesn’t wait for a judge. It lands at the roadside—immediately.

What “excessive speed” can trigger in Canada

• Immediate impound, often for 7–14 days depending on the province.
• On-the-spot license suspension (think 7–30 days).
• Serious fines and a later court date that can pile on more pain.
• Insurance points and premium hikes that linger like glitter after a party.

Why the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 keeps sneaking up on you

• Mid-engine balance: The car stays glassy-calm while the world blurs around you.
• That 4.0 NA six: It begs for revs and rewards you with a spine-tingling crescendo.
• Gearing: Second and third are happiness zones—and also license-losing territory if you’re not careful.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 quick specs and lived-in quirks

• Engine: 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six
• Power: about 414 hp, 309 lb-ft (manual)
• 0–60 mph: near 4.2 seconds with the manual; quicker with PDK
• Top speed: roughly 188 mph
• Quirks I’ve noticed: firm enough to make cracked city streets feel personal, a clutch that’ll give your left calf definition, and front lip clearance that hates steep café driveways

The Six-Seat Cybertruck That Tesla Didn’t Build (So Someone Did)

Remember the early mock-ups with a front-row jump seat? Production-day reality gave us five seats and a center console big enough to host a startup. One owner, eyeing a growing family, decided to reclaim that middle spot and turn the truck into a six-seater. Having crawled through a few Cybertrucks, I get it: the cabin is a loft with wheels, the dash is a coffee bar, and that console is basically luggage. But converting it into a proper seat isn’t a weekend whim. It’s homework, torque specs, and a healthy respect for airbags.

DIY front-bench reality check for Cybertruck owners

• Airbag choreography: Frontal, side, and curtain systems must deploy as designed—timing and positioning matter.
• Seatbelts and anchors: These need engineered load paths, not just stout-looking brackets.
• Occupant sensors: Weight mats and seat modules talk to the airbag brain—expect software and wiring changes.
• Legalities: Some regions require inspections or engineer sign-off; insurers will have questions (many).
• Usability: You’ll miss the console’s storage/charging—phones, snacks, and the dog’s water bowl need a new home.

Is the six-seat Cybertruck practical? Absolutely. Think Saturday soccer mayhem, ski shuttles to the mountain, or a late-night ice cream run with three up front. Just make sure the safety piece isn’t cosplay. I’ve yanked on homebrew belt anchors with a torque wrench; a few felt OEM-solid. A few… didn’t.

Cybertruck seating: production vs DIY

Cybertruck spec snapshot for context

• AWD: roughly 600 hp, 0–60 mph around 4.1 seconds
• “Cyberbeast”: up to about 845 hp, 0–60 mph ~2.6 seconds
• Range: about 340 miles (AWD, EPA estimate); more with the range extender
• Quirks I’ve noticed: windshield glare that eats winter sunsets, a wiper the size of a canoe oar, and under-seat storage that sulks when faced with chunky charging cables

The Big Picture: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Thrills, Cybertruck Fulfills—Plan Accordingly

These stories rhyme. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a surgeon’s scalpel—precise, addictive, and best used in the proper theater. The Cybertruck is a stainless sketchbook—invites creativity, punishes shortcuts. Want to dance at the edges of speed or spec? Go for it. Just bring a plan, paperwork, and respect for physics—and for the signage with numbers on it.

Owner tips from the real world

• Track days fix everything: If your car makes fast feel slow, learn its limits somewhere with run-off.
• DIY with a paper trail: Keep engineering notes, torque specs, photos, and receipts for any seat/airbag work. Your insurer will ask. So will the next buyer.
• Try the booster shuffle: Fit child seats and boosters in that new center spot before you promise carpool duty.
• Know your local thresholds: In Canada especially, learn the overage line that triggers impound.

FAQ

Is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 really that deceptive at speed?

Yes. The NA 4.0 loves to rev, the chassis is laser-stable, and road noise stays muted. It makes brisk pace feel casual. Use cruise control on highways and save the operatics for a track.

What actually happens if you’re nailed for “excessive speed” in Canada?

In many provinces, you can expect an immediate roadside impound and license suspension, followed by fines, points, and higher insurance. It’s a quick way to end a birthday drive.

Did Tesla ever offer a six-seat Cybertruck from the factory?

No. Early prototypes suggested it, but production trucks ship with five seats and a substantial center console.

Can I legally convert my Cybertruck to six seats?

Maybe—depends on your jurisdiction. You’ll need compliant seatbelt anchors, correct airbag sensor integration, and possibly inspections or engineer sign-off. Call your DMV and insurer before you wrench.

Is the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 comfortable enough for daily driving?

Mostly, if your commute isn’t cratered. It’s firm and low, but livable. Just mind the front splitter on steep ramps—and your license on empty mornings.