Poor man's Porsche or the world's finest all-round driver's sportscar? Jonathan Crouch checks out the Porsche 718 Cayman coupe.

Ten Second Review

This 718 Cayman ditches the old flat six engine of its predecessors in favour of a more efficient turbocharged four cylinder powerplant for mainstream varaints, yet still offers more power. As for the name, well in case you were wondering, the '718' reference refers not to the engine but a series of classic Porsche mid-engined models that won numerous races in the 1950s and '60s. Enough with the briefing; what's this car like?

Background

As ever, Porsche determinedly refutes suggestions that what we have here is simply 'a Boxster with a roof' but that's essentially what it boils down to. Not that there's much wrong with that, the exemplary handling balance of the brand's entry-level model 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 have liked. So what to do? Porsche could certainly make this car quicker, even sharper to drive, more efficient to run and higher tech to use - and sure enough, all of that was done for the launch of the original version of this third generation model, back in 2013. It wasn't quite enough, even with the subsequent launch of more focused GTS and GT4 versions. Will this 718 version fare any better? It'll be interesting to see...

Driving Experience

So, what's it like? Well, the cabin envelopes you like a proper sports car should. You sit low, and there are no seats behind you; just a bulkhead that separates you from the flat four turbo engine, just thirty centimetres from the small of your back. That'll be either a 2.0-litre 300PS unit if you've opted for the standard Cayman or Cayman T. Or a 2.5-litre 350PS powerplant if you've chosen the Cayman S. If you're wondering, that's now equal to what you'd get from the same engines fitted to equivalent Boxster models. If you want a six cylinder engine, there's also a 4.0-litre 400PS unit for the Cayman GTS, also available in 420PS form in the track-focused Cayman GT4. All the powerplants are, as ever in a Cayman, mid-mounted, that being the major point of differentiation between this entry-level Porsche coupe and its pricier 911 stablemate, which has its powerplant slung out behind the back wheels. Here, in contrast, it's hunkered down in the middle of the car, something that has all sorts of beneficial effects on this car's handling dynamics. Even if you don't plan to thrash round the Nurburgring, you'll notice a balance and friendliness to a driving experience that feels, well, just right. You'll be wanting some numbers. The basic 2.0-litre Cayman with a PDK auto 'box and the Sport Chrono package will accelerate to 62mph in 4.7 seconds and run onto 170mph. Go to the other extreme and plump for a 2.5-litre Cayman S with PDK and Sport Chrono and you'll be able to demolish the 62mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds with the engine pulling strongly from 4,000rpm and taking on a lovely guttural bark as the revs rise towards the red line and the cars hurls itself on towards a top speed of 177mph.Turn-in is crisp at whatever speed you choose and body roll's well contained too. What we have here is a masterclass in sportscar excellence.

Design and Build

Does it look like a 911? The uninitiated might think so but visually at least, the Cayman is no longer a lesser, rather clumsy copy of that car. 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 the base 2.0-litre model as costing around £45,000 (the T version is around £52,000) and the 2.5-litre S variant as being pitched at about £54,000, then you won't go too far wrong. The GTS six cylinder is around £64,000 and the GT4 around £75,000. To save you checking, that means a Cayman is priced very similarly to its Boxster open-topped counterpart. The standard Cayman features 19" 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 2.0-litre 718 Cayman, the four-cylinder flat engine with PDK has a Combined fuel consumption figure of up to 33.2mpg and up to 193g/km of CO2 (both WLTP). In the 2.5-litre 718 Cayman S, the 2.5-litre turbo engine with PDK returns up to 31.0mpg and up to 207g/km (both WLTP). 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

Whether this improved Cayman can finally upstage its pricier 911 stablemate - or indeed whether this is the car a modern 911 really should be.... well, we can't help wondering whether these are really irrelevant questions. If you like one of these Porsches, you'll probably be unconvinced by the other, with fundamental differences that are small but highly significant. As ever, perhaps a closer rival to the 718 Cayman is the car it was designed upon - the 718 Boxster, which drives almost as well and offers the option of open-top summer driving. Ultimately, what it boils down to is that Porsche has two brilliant cars on its books and as problems go, that's not a bad one to have. What's not in doubt is that the Cayman makes the dilemma of where to spend a sports coupe budget limited in the £40,000 to £50,000 bracket about as straightforward as it can be. In the real world, it's one of the quickest cars you can drive and one that makes you feel special every time you sit in it. True, the asking price isn't cheap, the options are expensive and there are more powerful rivals that cost the same. But it's also true that for the money, nothing else offers as complete a driving experience.

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

Green tinted heat insulating glass

Power windows with one touch operation and door seal protection

Heated rear windscreen

Brakes

Electrically controlled parking brake

Front and rear lightweight spring strut axle

Front and rear 4 piston aluminium monobloc fixed calipers, disc internally vented and cross drilled, front/rear disc diameter, brake calipers in black

Anti-slip regulation

Chassis/Suspension

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

Communication

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

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Reversing camera including front and rear park assist

Driver Convenience

Auto start and stop system

Driver Information

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

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

Driving Mirrors

Electrically folding exterior mirrors including courtesy lighting

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

Engine

Gasoline particulate filter

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

Turbocharger with intercooler

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

Two seater vehicle with mid mounted engine

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

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

Integrated compatible SIM including Porsche Connect Services

Wifi and music streaming

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

Exterior Body Features

Twin tailpipe with special look in highly polished chrome plated stainless steel in black

Intelligent lightweight body in Aluminium/Steel composite construction

Body colour door handles

Body colour bumpers

Auto deploying rear wing

Rear boot

Automatically extending rear boot spoiler

Exterior Lights

LED 3rd brake light

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

Automatic headlight activation including welcome home lighting

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Two zone automatic climate control

Adjustable fan with air recirculation and defroster functions

Interior Features

12V sockets in passenger footwell and centre console storage compartment

Ascending centre console with uncovered storage compartment and closed storage compartment

Storage compartments in each doors

Front and rear luggage compartments

718 logo on gear lever

Clothes hooks on front seat backrests

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

Lockable glovebox

Interior Lights

Footwell illumination

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

Safety

3 point automatic seatbelts

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

Tyre pressure monitoring system

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

Full size driver and passenger airbags

Seats

Single front passenger seat

Porsche crest embossed in headrests

Front headrests

Heated seats

Security

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

Alarm system with interior surveillance

Dashcam prep

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Transmission

Rear wheel drive

6 speed manual transmission with dual mass flywheel

Wheels

Wheel centres with full colour Porsche crest

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 199

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

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: 184

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 190

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 199

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

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 219

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 213

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

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 19.9

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: 32.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 31.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 30.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 29.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 14.2

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: 8.8

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

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 9.4

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: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 74874

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 43E

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: 235/35 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 265/35 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: SPYDER

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

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 54

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

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

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

Driver Convenience

Homelink (programmable garage door opener)

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

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 painted logo in satin black

Porsche metallic paint

Exclusive design fuel filler cap

Porsche 718 logo painted in high gloss black

Bespoke Sticker set - Porsche

Porsche 718 logo painted in high gloss white

Decorative sticker set in white

Model designation painted in high gloss silver

Model designation painted in high gloss white

Deletion of decorative sticker set

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

Headlight cleaning system covers painted in alternative exterior colour

Interior Features

Aluminium pedals

Passenger footwell storage net

Leather interior in standard colour

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

Illuminated door sill guards in carbon

GT sport leather steering wheel

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

Exterior painted package in body colour - 718 Cayman

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

White contrast pack - 718 Style Edition

18 way elec adaptive sports seat plus with memory pack in comb with leather interior, special colour and 2-tone leather - 718

2 way electric sports seats plus pack in combination with leather interior, special colour and 2-tone leather - 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

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

Two tone leather interior - Black / Bordeaux red

Two tone leather interior - Black / Crayon

Leather interior in special colour - Bordeaux red

Leather package - Black with contrast stitching in Crayon

Leather interior in standard colour - Black with contrast stitching in crayon

Trim - Part Leather

Partial leather with leather pack - Black

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

Twin leather pack with partial leather - Black/Crayon

Vanity Mirrors

Leather sunvisors

Race-Tex sunvisors

Wheels

Wheels painted in satin platinum

Wheels painted in silver

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 satin aurum

Wheels painted in deviating exterior colour

Wheels painted in white

Wheels - Alloy

20" Carrera S alloy wheels

20" 911 Turbo alloy wheels

20" Carrera sport alloy wheels