PORSCHE CAYMAN COUPE 3.4 S 2dr

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

Top tinted windscreen

2 speed front wipers + intermittent wipe

Heated washer nozzles

Electric windows one touch open/close

Green tinted heat insulating glass

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Anti-slip regulation + Automatic Brake Differential

Electronic Damper Control

Electronic parking brake

Red painted brake calipers

Chassis/Suspension

Porsche stability management (PSM)

Driver Aids

Variable power assisted steering

Driver Information

Silver rev counter

On board computer

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Galvano silver interior trim

Entertainment

Universal Audio interface - AUX input

USB interface in rear

Exterior Body Features

Brushed stainless steel twin exhaust pipes

Painted spoiler lip

Painted front air intake grilles

Painted Porsche logo and model designation

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

Automatic headlights

Coming home function

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Air recirculation control

Interior Features

Leather finish on door handles

Clothes hooks on front seat backrests

Luggage compartment lid in aluminium

Door armrest in leather

Tilt/height adjustable steering wheel

Storage compartments in doors

Rear luggage partition

2 cupholders

3 x 12V power sockets

Leather door panels

Lockable glovebox

Front cupholders

Interior Lights

Interior orientation lighting

Reading lights

Footwell illumination

Safety

Seatbelt pretensioners

Side (thorax) airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Porsche Side Impact Protection

Full size driver and passenger airbags

Seats

Driver/passenger seats fore/aft adjustment

Driver/passenger electric backrest adjustment

Integrated head restraints

Security

Remote central locking including luggage compartment

Transponder engine immobiliser

Alarm system with interior protection

Vanity Mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors and vanity mirrors

Wheels - Spare

Sealing compound and compressor kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

CO2 (g/km): 211

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 97

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: FLAT 6

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: QUAD CAM

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: MID ENGINE TRANSVERSE

CC: 3436

Compression Ratio: 12.5:1

Transmission: MANUAL

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 77.5

Gears: 6 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg): 31.4

EC Extra Urban (mpg): 39.8

EC Urban (mpg): 22.2

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: No

General

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 41E

Service Interval Mileage: 20000

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

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

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Coin Description: N

Coin Series: S

Badge Engine CC: 3.4

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Power: 325

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

Generation Mark: 2

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Performance

Engine Power - KW: 232

Top Speed: 175

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5

Engine Torque - MKG: 37.7

Engine Power - BHP: 315

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - RPM: 4500

Engine Torque - NM: 370

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 273

Engine Power - RPM: 7400

Tyres

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Style: CAYMAN S

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Rear: 265/40 ZR18

Tyre Size Front: 235/40 ZR19

Alloys?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1295

Length: 4380

Width: 1801

Wheelbase: 2475

Width (including mirrors): N

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Max. Loading Weight: 325

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 64

No. of Seats: 2

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1665

Minimum Kerbweight: 1340

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Brakes

Porsche ceramic composite brake (PCCB) with yellow brake caliper

Carpets/Rugs

Leather edge personalised floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Lowered sports suspension

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)

Communication

Mobile telephone preparation

Telephone module for Porsche Communication Management

Porsche Communication Management voice control

Electronic logbook for Porsche Communication Management

Cordless Handset for telephone module

Driver Aids

Cruise control

Rear park assist

Front and rear park assist

Power steering plus

Adaptive cruise control including Porsche active safe

Reversing camera including front and rear park assist

Driver Convenience

Homelink (programmable garage door opener)

Driver Information

Porsche Communication Management navigation module

Speed limit display

Porsche online

Driving Mirrors

Auto dimming interior/exterior mirrors+rain sensor

Electric folding mirrors

Lower trim painted exterior mirror

Rear view mirror in leather

Embellishment Trims

Mahogany effect console

Brushed aluminium centre console

Instrument dials in exterior colour- Guards red

Instrument surround in leather

Porsche crest on storage compartment lid

Air vent slats painted

Guards red sport chrono stop clock instrument dial

Luxor beige sport chrono stop clock instrument dial

Air vent slats in leather

Carbon centre console

Racing yellow sport chrono stop clock instrument dial

Painted centre console

Leather centre console

Instrument dials in exterior colour- White

Instrument dials in exterior colour- Racing yellow

Instrument dials in interior colour - Luxor beige

White sport chrono stop clock instrument dial

Entertainment

BOSE sound system

6 disc CD autochanger

TV tuner

6 disc CD/DVD autochanger

DAB Digital radio

Burmester 3D high end surround sound system

CDR plus including DAB digital radio

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Special paint

Sports exhaust system

Colour to sample paint

High gloss Exterior trim

Model designation deletion

Sports tailpipe

Door entry guards in carbon

Aluminium fuel cap

Door entry guards in stainless steel

Painted rear apron

Side air intakes painted in deviating exterior colour

Black model designation on doors

Silver model designation on doors

Exterior Lights

Smoked glass rear lights

Painted headlamp cleaning system covers

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

Painted headlamp cleaning system covers in contrasting colour

Bi-Xenon headlights with porsche dynamic light system and high beam assist

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone air conditioning

Interior Features

Multi function steering wheel

Heated steering wheel

Leather interior in standard colour

Leather interior in natural leather

Alcantara roof lining - Black

Steering column casing covered in leather

Aluminium foot rest

3 Spoke Alcantara sports steering wheel

Inner door sill guards in leather

Leather key pouch

Illuminated door entry guards in carbon

Illuminated door entry guards in stainless steel

Leather fuse box cover

Storage bin lid with Cayman S logo

Leather steering wheel with contrast stitching

3 spoke heated multifunction steering wheel with carbon trim

Painted car key

Illuminated matt carbon personalised door sill guards

Painted sports bucket seat belt passage

Mahogany 3 spoke heated multifunction steering wheel

Sport design steering wheel

Illuminated stainless steel personalised door sill guards

Alcantara gear selector

Leather interior in special/bi - colour

Leather sport bucket seats

Leather sport bucket seats with leather interior in standard colour

Leather sport bucket seats with leather interior in special leather/bi - colour

Sport bucket seats in natural leather with leather interior

Special leather interior in standard colour

Personalised gear lever

Leather sport bucket seats in colour to sample with special leather interior

Packs

Smoker's pack

Sound package plus - Cayman

Sport chrono pack - Cayman

Interior pack - Leather - Cayman

PCM pack - Leather - Cayman

PCM pack - Painted - Cayman

Mahogany interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Mahogany interior pack - Cayman

Carbon interior pack (with leather interior)

Carbon interior pack - Cayman

Brushed aluminium interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Brushed aluminium interior pack - Cayman

Light design pack - Cayman

Leather dashboard trim interior pack - Cayman

Door trim package in leather

Painted exterior pack - Cayman

Painted interior pack - Cayman

Leather Package in standard colour - Cayman

Leather Package in bi-colour - Cayman

Extended interior plus pack - Cayman

SportDesign pack - Cayman

Paint - Metallic

Porsche metallic - Dark blue

Porsche metallic - Mahogany

Porsche metallic - Jet Black

Porsche metallic - Agate grey

Porsche metallic - Rhodium silver

Porsche metallic - Sapphire blue

Porsche metallic - Carrara white

Paint - Solid

Porsche solid - Black

Porsche solid - Guards Red

Porsche solid - White

Porsche solid - Racing yellow

Paint - Special

Porsche special metallic - GT Silver

Porsche special metallic - Lime gold

Porsche special metallic - Carmine red

Safety

Fire extinguisher

Seatbelts in Guards Red

Seatbelts in silver grey

Seatbelt buckles - leather

Seatbelts in Racing yellow

Seatbelts in Luxor beige

Seatbelts in Yachting blue

Seats

Heated seats

Porsche crest embossed in headrests

Sports seat backrests in leather

Seat ventilation

Isofix attachment on front seat

14 way electric sport seats in part leather

14 way electric sport seats in part leather with leather pack in bi - colour

14 way electric sport seats in leather with leather interior in standard colour

14 way electric sport seats in part leather with leather pack in standard colour

14 way electric sport seats in leather with leather interior in special leather/bi - colour

14 way electric sport seats in natural leather with leather interior

2 way electric leather sports seat plus

2 way electric leather sports seat plus with leather interior in standard colour

2 way electric leather sports seat plus with special leather interior/ bi colour

2 way electric leather sports seat plus with leather interior in natural leather

18 way electric adaptive sports seats plus with memory pack in leather

18 way adaptive sports seats plus with memory pack with leather interior in standard colour

18 way adaptive sports seats plus with memory pack with leather interior in special leather/bi - colour

18 way electric adaptive sport seat plus with memory pack in natural leather with leather interior

14 way electric sport seats in special leather with special leather interior in standard colour

18 way adaptive sports seats plus with memory pack with special leather interior in standard colour

2 way electric leather sports seat plus with special leather interior in standard colour

Security

Porsche entry and drive system

Transmission

Porsche TORQUE Vectoring (PTV)

Trim - Leather

Leather - Black

Leather interior in standard colour - Black

Leather - Platinum grey

Leather interior in natural leather - Espresso

Leather - Luxor beige

Leather - Yachting blue

Leather interior in standard colour - Yachting blue

Leather interior in standard colour - Luxor beige

Leather interior in standard colour - Platinum grey

Bi - colour/special leather - Agate grey/pebble grey

Bi - colour/special leather - Agate grey/lime gold

Bi - colour/special leather - Agate grey/amber orange

Bi - colour/special leather - Black/luxor beige

Special Leather in standard colour - Agate grey

Leather interior in natural leather - Garnet red

Trim - Part Leather

Part leather - Black

Part leather - Platinum grey

Part leather - Luxor beige

Part leather - Yachting blue

Part leather/leather pack - Black

Part leather/leather pack - Luxor beige

Part leather/leather pack - Platinum grey

Part leather/leather pack - Yachting blue

Part Leather Bi-Colour - Agate grey/amber orange

Part Leather Bi-Colour - Agate grey/lime gold

Part Leather Bi-Colour - Agate grey/pebble grey

Vanity Mirrors

Leather sun visors with vanity mirror cover

Wheels

Wheel centres with full colour Porsche crest

Wheels painted in exterior colour

Wheels painted in satin platinum

Wheels painted in high gloss black

Wheels painted in satin black

Wheels - Alloy

20" Carrera S alloy wheels

20" Carrera classic alloy wheels

20" Sport Techno alloy wheels

19" Boxster S alloy wheels

20" 911 Turbo design alloy wheels