Porsche's junior coupe is better than ever. Start saving. Jonathan Crouch checks out the 718 Cayman S.

Ten Second Review

The Porsche Cayman has evolved. This 718 version may now only have four cylinders but it's now a faster and more efficient thing: that much was predictable. It's also become far better looking than before and steps up to the plate to become possibly Porsche's most rounded sports car. Especially in 350bhp Cayman S form.

Background

Despite Porsche making more money out of Cayenne SUVs these days, the lifeblood of the company remains the 911 sports coupe. It embodies fifty years of history and development, and offers all the evidence you need of the company's engineering nous. The 911 is Porsche. But is it the best Porsche sports coupe? That's a question that has been rumbling in the background for some time and will come under increasing scrutiny in the light of this 718 Cayman model. Here, the exemplary handling balance of the brand's entry-level model has been enhanced by a body almost twice as stiff, enough to make this car the darling of the red mist brigade in the motoring press, if not as strong a seller as its maker would like. Some typically premium Porsche pricing aside, we're looking for this car's Achilles heel. So far, we haven't really found it. Let's check out the top 2.5-litre 718 Cayman S version in more detail.

Driving Experience

The original Porsche Cayman was quick to cement its reputation as a brilliant driver's car, albeit one that many suspected was always held back from its true potential in order to protect the more profitable 911's sales. This time round, the shackles have been loosed a little further. How much? Well, the 2.0-litre entry level engine now puts out 300bhp while the 2.5-litre Cayman S we look at here develops 350bhp. As before, both engines feature direct injection for improved efficiency. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard although most customers now fork out a couple of grand extra to get the seven-speed PDK double clutch transmission. This features updated software for quicker and smoother shifts. Thus equipped, a Cayman S will detain you for just 4.2 seconds from 0-62mph and will keep going to 177mph. It's now a properly quick car. The long wheelbase of the Cayman promises good ride quality while the wide front track offers tenacious grip. Like the latest 911s, this generation model an efficient electro mechanical steering set-up developed by ZF.

Design and Build

With a wheelbase stretched by 60mm, the Cayman has more distance between its hub centres than a 911 and that pays dividends in elongating what was once a rather Marmite shape. As for the '718' series changes, your eye is immediately drawn to the nose with its much sharper profile and ultra-slim Bi-Xenon front lights above the air intakes. In profile, there are strikingly sculptured wheel-arches and side sills - and a wider look to the rear, emphasised by a high-gloss black strip with integrated Porsche badge between the redesigned tail lights. Behind the wheel, the upper part of the dash panel including the air vents is new. The smarter sports steering wheel is fashioned in a '918 Spyder' design. Plus an extensive range of connectivity options have been added to the 718 cockpit, along with the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system as (at last) a standard feature. Mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the 150-watt Sound Package Plus are all part of this package. Practicality remains as before, with a 275-litre boot out back and a further 150-litre compartment in the front. That means a 425-litre total that's actually more than you get in a Volkswagen Golf. A two-seater Porsche sportscar that carries more gear than your average family hatch? The surprises keep on coming.

Market and Model

What Porsche advertise the Cayman at and what it rolls out of dealerships costing are usually two quite different things but in terms of list pricing, if you think of this 2.5-litre S variant as being pitched at about £50,000, then you won't go too far wrong. To save you checking, that means that at last, a Cayman is priced at exactly the same level as its Boxster open-topped counterpart. Equipment features include alloy wheels, auto stop/start and sports mode, an audio CD system with colour touch-screen control, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity and a three year warranty. A central feature of the new interior is Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the Sound Package Plus with 110 watts of audio power. PCM can be extended with optional modules to thoroughly adapt it to personal requirements. For instance, the navigation module including voice control is available, which makes it easy to input driving destinations. In addition, the Connect Plus module is available as an extension of the navigation module; it provides online navigation services and enhanced online audio features. With Porsche Vehicle Tracking System Plus (PVTS+) as standard, the 718 Cayman offers the highest class of vehicle security. All new Cayman customers also get the opportunity to explore the potential of their car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. It's hard to imagine a more enjoyable day you could spend with your new toy.

Cost of Ownership

So to the efficiency figures. The launch of the 718 Cayman represents a return by the brand to building sports coupes with flat four-cylinder 'boxer' engines. The addition of a turbocharger significantly boosts torque while improving fuel economy. In the 2.5-litre 718 Cayman S, the 2.5-litre turbo engine with PDK returns just under 40mpg combined (around 4mpg better than the previous model). CO2 emissions won't top 185g/km. Each 718 model is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) auto transmission, which now features fuel-saving 'virtual gears' previously introduced on the 911 model series, is available as an option. The PDK transmission features a 'sailing' mode whereby the engine is decoupled during periods of trailing throttle or on longer downhill sections, dropping the engine revs to a mere 700rpm, further saving fuel. Prod the throttle and it will instantly resume duty. Residual values have held up reasonably well on the last Cayman and there's no reason to believe that this model won't follow suit. Here, it seems, is a car you can buy with your head as well as your heart.

Summary

Make no mistake, the Porsche 718 Cayman is a stunner, especially in 2.5-litre S guise. Here, you're getting pretty much the same level of performance as you would in a base 911 Carrera - for £35,000 less. If, like us, you love 911s, that's something of a sobering thought. Having said that, you'll easily spend £10,000-£15,000more than the £50,000 budget Porsche demands for this car with even a restrained trip through the options list. But it's worth it. There's nothing else that comes close to offering the same payoff in terms of chassis talents and depth of engineering. Well, except for a 718 Boxster, but you're usually either a Cayman person or a Boxster person and there's not a lot of overlap on that particular Venn diagram. Porsche's rivals can look forward to quite a few years of their accustomed position, namely trying and failing to catch up.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Grey top tinted windscreen

Wide opening rear hatch with heated screen

Windscreen washer system with two wiper speeds and washer jets

Power windows with one touch operation and door seal protection

Green tinted heat insulating glass

Heated rear windscreen

Brakes

Front and rear lightweight spring strut axle

Electrically controlled parking brake

Anti-slip regulation

Chassis/Suspension

Porsche Stability Management (PSM) with ABS, advanced brake functions

Communication

eCall emergency call system

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including online navigation module, mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and voice control system

Driver Convenience

Auto start and stop system

Driver Information

Digital displays for vehicle speed, chosen gear, odometer, trip odometer and clock

Instrument cluster with central rev counter and high-resolution 4.6 inch colour display

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors on door waist rails, aspherical on driver's side

Engine

Two seater vehicle with mid mounted engine

Direct fuel injection (DFI)

Integrated dry-sump lubrication with an on-demand oil pump

Aluminium block and cylinder heads

Water cooled with thermal management

4 valves per cylinder

Turbocharger with intercooler

VarioCam Plus variable valve timing and switchable valve lift

3-way catalytic converters and on-board diagnostics for monitoring emission control system and coated particulate filter

Gasoline particulate filter

Entertainment

Integrated compatible SIM including Porsche Connect Services

Wifi and music streaming

Integrated 4G/LTE compatible SIM including data for the Porsche Connect Services

Navigation incl porsche + Apple Carplay, connect module, wireless internet access, carfinder, remote vehicle status, remote service and vehicle track

DAB Digital radio

Exterior Body Features

Twin tract exhaust system with central tailpipe in stainless steel

Auto deploying rear wing

Rear boot

Automatically extending rear boot spoiler

Intelligent lightweight body in Aluminium/Steel composite construction

Body colour door handles

Body colour bumpers

Exterior Lights

LED 3rd brake light

Automatic headlight activation including welcome home lighting

Separate auxiliary lights in the front end with LED indicators and position lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Adjustable fan with air recirculation and defroster functions

Interior Features

Two individual cup holders (Passenger side, integrated into dashboard trim strip)

Ascending centre console with uncovered storage compartment and closed storage compartment

718 logo on gear lever

Seat centres in race tex, side bolsters and headrests in leather

Smooth finish leather on steering wheel rim, gear lever and door handles

12V sockets in passenger footwell and centre console storage compartment

Storage compartments in each doors

Lockable glovebox

Clothes hooks on front seat backrests

Front and rear luggage compartments

Interior Lights

Footwell illumination

LED reading lights, orientation, ignition lock, additionally luggage compartment and glove compartment lighting

Safety

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Full size driver and passenger airbags

Porsche side impact protection doors with thorax airbag in outer backrest side bolster and head airbag for driver/passenger in door panel

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

Tyre pressure monitoring system

3 point automatic seatbelts

Seats

Single front passenger seat

Front headrests

Heated seats

Security

Dashcam prep

Engine immobiliser with in key transponder, central locking and remote control

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Alarm system with interior surveillance

Transmission

6 speed manual transmission with dual mass flywheel

Rear wheel drive

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 199

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 72

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 212

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 321

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 330

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 211

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 217

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 183

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 191

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 197

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 204

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 220

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 212

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 91

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 76

CC: 1988

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: FLAT 4

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: QUAD CAM

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: MID ENGINE NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

Transmission: MANUAL

Gears: 6 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

EC Urban (mpg): 25

EC Extra Urban (mpg): 45.6

EC Combined (mpg): 34.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 30.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 20

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 19.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 30.4

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 29.4

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 34.9

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 33.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 31.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 30.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 29.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 14.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 14.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 9.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 8.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 9.7

General

Coin Series: N

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 42E

Service Interval Mileage: 20000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 999999

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 300

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.1

Top Speed: 170

Engine Power - BHP: 300

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 221

Engine Power - RPM: 6500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 280

Engine Torque - NM: 380

Engine Torque - RPM: 2150

Engine Torque - MKG: 38.7

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 265/45 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Wheel Style: CAYMAN

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4379

Width: 1801

Wheelbase: 2475

Width (including mirrors): 1994

Height: 1295

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1335

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1655

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 54

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 320

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 272

No. of Seats: 2

Max. Roof Load: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Brakes

Porsche ceramic composite brake (PCCB) with yellow brake caliper

Carpets/Rugs

Leather edging carbon floor mats

Leather edging personalised floor mats

Bespoke floor mats with leather edging

Chassis/Suspension

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with lowered 10mm ride height

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control

Lane change assistant

Power steering plus

Reversing camera including front and rear park assist

Driver Convenience

Homelink (programmable garage door opener)

Driving Mirrors

Electrically folding exterior mirrors including courtesy lighting

Embellishment Trims

White instrument dials

Guards red instrument dials

Luxor beige instrument dials

Racing yellow instrument dials

Instrument dials in Bordeaux red

Climate control panel painted

Climate control panel leather

Sport chrono stopwatch instrument dials in bordeaux red

Sport chrono stopwatch instrument dial in guards red

Sport chrono stopwatch instrument dials in Luxor Beige

Sport chrono stopwatch instrument dial in Racing yellow

Sport chrono stopwatch instrument dial in white

Engine

64 litre fuel tank

Entertainment

BOSE surround sound system

Burmester high end surround sound system

Exterior Body Features

Model designation deletion

Special metallic paint

Body colour rear apron

Painted model designation

Aluminium side window trim

Black model designation on doors

Silver model designation on doors

Black sports tailpipes

Silver sports tailpipes

Porsche 718 logo painted

Body colour front air intake slats

Body colour rear side air intakes grilles

High gloss black door handles

High gloss black painted rear wing

High gloss black painted in side window and window triangle trims

718 logo

Porsche metallic paint

Model designation painted in black high gloss

Exclusive design fuel filler cap

Porsche 718 logo painted in high gloss black

Bespoke Sticker set - Porsche

Exterior Lights

Bi-Xenon headlights including porsche dynamic light system

LED main headlights including porsche dynamic light system plus (PDLS plus)

Painted headlight cleaning system covers

Tinted tail lights

Bi-Xenon main headlights in black including porsche dynamic light system

Headlight cleaning system covers painted in alternative exterior colour

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Two zone automatic climate control

Interior Features

Aluminium pedals

Passenger footwell storage net

Leather interior in standard colour

Heated multi function steering wheel

Steering column casing covered in leather

Inner door sill guards in leather

Leather fuse box cover

Storage compartment lid with model logo

Carbon heated multifunction sports steering wheel

Storage compartment lid with Porsche crest

Door sill guards in carbon

Illuminated door sill guards in carbon

Illuminated door sill guards in stainless steel

GT sport leather steering wheel

Door sill guards in stainless steel

Mahogany heated sports multifunction steering wheel

Two tone leather interior seats

Sports look pedals and footrest

Vehicle key painted with leather key pouch

Vehicle documentation folder in matt carbon

Vehicle documentation folder in leather

Gear lever in brushed aluminium

Gear lever in Carbon

Gear selector in Mahogany

Storage compartment lid in Race tex with Porsche crest

GT sports steering wheel and Race tex gear lever

Leather interior in special colour seats

Storage compartment lid in race tex with Porsche logo

Race-Tex roof lining

Illuminated bespoke door sill guards in carbon

Illuminated bespoke door sill guards in stainless steel

Bespoke vehicle documentation folder in leather

Inner door sill guards in leather with decorative stitching in deviating colour

Steering column casing covered in leather with decorative stitching in deviating colour

Packs

Mahogany interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Brushed aluminium interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Light design pack - Cayman

SportDesign pack - Cayman

Painted interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Leather interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Dashboard trim pack in leather - Cayman

Brushed aluminium interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Carbon interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Carbon interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Leather door trim pack - Cayman

Leather interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Mahogany interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Painted interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Smoking pack - Cayman

Sport chrono package including mode switch - Cayman

SportDesign pack painted in high gloss black - Cayman

14 way fully electric sports seats with memory pack - Cayman

Leather pack with partial leather seats - Cayman

Gear selector personalisation pack - Cayman

Twin leather pack with partial leather seats - Cayman

2 way electric sports seat plus pack - 718

2 way electric sports seats plus pack in combine with natural leather, 2 tone, leather in special color + 2 tone natural leather - 718

Exterior painted package in body colour - 718 Cayman

18 way elec adaptive sports seat plus with memory pack in comb with natural leather, 2-tone leather in special color + 2-tone natural leather - 718

18 way electric adaptive sports seat plus with memory pack - 718

Interior trim package with decorative stitching in contrast colour - Cayman

Extended interior trim package with decorative stitching in contrast colour - Cayman

Paint - Metallic

Porsche metallic - GT silver

Porsche metallic - Jet Black

Porsche metallic - Agate grey

Porsche metallic - Aventurine Green

Porsche metallic - Gentian Blue

Porsche metallic - Vanadium Grey

Paint - Solid

Porsche solid - Black

Porsche solid - Guards Red

Porsche solid - White

Porsche solid - Racing yellow

Paint - Special

Porsche special metallic - Carmine red

Porsche special metallic - Crayon

Porsche special metallic - Ice grey

Porsche special metallic - Shark blue

Porsche special metallic - Arctic grey

Porsche special metallic - Ruby star neo

Safety

Fire extinguisher

Seatbelts in Guards Red

Seatbelts in Luxor beige

Seatbelts in Crayon

Seat belts coloured in racing yellow

Seat belts coloured in bordeaux red

Seat belts in silver grey

Seat belts in shark blue

Seats

Porsche crest embossed in headrests

Seat ventilation

Sports seat plus backrests in leather

ISOFIX child seat mounting points on passenger seat

Seat centres leather in contrast colour

Sports seat plus backrests in leather with decorative stitching in deviating colour

Security

Porsche entry and drive system

Transmission

Porsche TORQUE Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock

Trim - Leather

Leather interior in standard colour - Black

Leather interior in standard colour - Agate grey

Leather interior in special colour - Graphite blue

Two tone leather interior - Black / Bordeaux red

Two tone leather interior - Black / Crayon

Leather interior in special colour - Bordeaux red

Trim - Part Leather

Partial leather with leather pack - Agate grey

Partial leather with leather pack - Black

Twin leather pack with partial leather seats - Black/Bordeaux red

Twin leather pack with partial leather - Black/Crayon

Standard race tex/leather Interior - Black

Standard race tex/leather Interior - Agate grey

Vanity Mirrors

Leather sunvisors

Race-Tex sunvisors

Wheels

Wheel centres with full colour Porsche crest

Wheels painted in satin platinum

Wheels painted in high gloss black

Wheels painted in satin black

Wheels painted in jet black metallic

Wheels painted in exterior colours

Wheels painted in deviating exterior colour

Wheels - Alloy

20" Carrera S alloy wheels

18" Boxster alloy wheels

19" Boxster S alloy wheels

20" 911 Turbo alloy wheels

20" Carrera sport alloy wheels