When the GT4 hit the world stage last year, it was an answer to the cries of legions of trackday drivers. The short wheelbase, combined with functional aerodynamics, a suspension designed alongside the GT3 and GT3 Cup Cars, and nearly 400 horsepower, make for a wonderful package — but few would assume it could hold its own against a Lamborghini Aventador. Well, some might, but with nearly twice the power, it would be fair to assume the Lambo would decimate the little Cayman. Thankfully, the boys in Stuttgart know that there’s much more to on-track performance than outright power, and in both quick and slow corners, the Cayman exudes confidence chasing the Italian hypercar.

For a fraction of the price, the dinky little Cayman can embarrass the mighty Aventador.

With one driving glove on and a green Lamborghini becoming a speck on the horizon, this Cayman driver isn’t off to an auspicious start. Under braking, he begins to reel in the big Aventador, downshifting with a thrilling bark from the 3.8-liter flat-six. As speeds increase and the two begin to contend with slower cars, the Cayman never loses a beat — that lime-green paint on the Lamborghini has an effect on clearing traffic. The GT4’s line is much neater and tidier, and only on a few occasions does it show a hint of oversteer. By contrast, the big Lambo is far less wieldy; running wide in several corners and looking less eager to turn in.

However, the Nurburgring is a fast course, and when the road straightens and the driver can deploy that power, the gap inevitably stretches. To give credit where it’s due, the Lamborghini takes a neat line and hauls through the fastest parts of the course, but the Cayman’s trajectory is ever-so-slightly better, and under braking, there’s no competition. At the end of the lap, the Cayman comes across as the machine better-suited to track work. For the cost of a base 911, the GT4 puts on an enticing performance and hopefully this will silence the snobbish 911 owners who would deride the mid-level Porsche sports car. It’s certainly changed one man’s opinion.