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

Grey top tinted windscreen

Rain sensor

Power windows with one touch operation and door seal protection

Windscreen washer system with aero wiper blades and washer jets

Heated rear windscreen

Wide opening rear hatch with rear screen made of lightweight glass

Green tinted heat insulating glass

Brakes

Electrically controlled parking brake

Anti-slip regulation

Lightweight spring strut axle front/rear, McPherson front axle + lightweight springs incl helper, anti-roll bar, all suspension mountings ball jointed

Chassis/Suspension

Adjustable race track chassis with RS specific spring rates and shock absorber tuning

Electronically control damping system with 2 manual selectable Normal and Sport modes

Porsche stability management (PSM) including ABS with two switchable stages (ESC OFF and ESC+TC OFF)

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sport suspension with lowered 30mm ride height

Adjustable chassis for race track use (toe, camber, anti-roll bars)

Dynamic gearbox mount system

Communication

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Electromechanical power steering with variable steering ratio and speed dependent steering assistance

Cruise control

Driver Convenience

Auto start and stop system

Driver Information

Porsche track precision app

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

Variable intake manifold with two switchable resonance valves

Dry sump lubrication with separate engine oil tank

Two seater vehicle with mid mounted engine

Water cooled with thermal management

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

Aluminium block and cylinder heads

Direct fuel injection (DFI)

Closed underbody panelling

Oil supply with fully variable pressure oil pump, 7 suction stages, oil centrifuge and additional oil supply via crankshaft

Forged titanium connecting rods

64 litre fuel tank

Gasoline particulate filter

VarioCam Plus variable valve timing and switchable valve lift

Entertainment

USB interface in central storage compartment

DAB Digital radio

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

Integrated compatible SIM including Porsche Connect Services

Wifi and music streaming

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

Exterior Body Features

Rear apron lower part in black with diffuser including fins

Side air intakes with one grille, sideblades including GT4 RS logo in black synthetic

Flow optimized stainless steel lightweight sports exhaust system with 2 tailpipes made of stainless steel in high gloss black

Porsche logo in accent trim on rear apron painted in satin black

Variable intake system with two switchable resonance flaps and six individual throttle valves

Front apron with large cooling intakes with grilles and spoiler lip with recessed GT4 RS logo in black and central air outlet

Bonnet made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in exterior colour with black NACA air inlets for brake cooling

Exclusive design fuel filler cap

Rear boot

Body colour bumpers

Front wheel arches made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in exterior colour including wheel arch ventilation in black

Fixed rear spoiler

Centre wheel bolts in black including wheel hub cover with RS logo in silver

Black side window trim

Intelligent lightweight body in Aluminium/Steel composite construction

Exterior Lights

LED tinted taillights and integral 4-point brake lights and reversing lights

LED 3rd brake light

Automatic headlight activation including welcome home lighting

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

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Adjustable fan with air recirculation and defroster functions

Two zone automatic climate control

Interior Features

RS sport steering wheel

Lightweight door panels with storage net in black and opening loops in arctic grey

PDK gear changer lever with manual alley, grip area and shiift gaiter in Race tex, shift pattern in racing yellow

Sports look pedal and footrest with stainless steel surround in matt brushed

Airbox cover with GT4 RS logo in silver and black

Storage compartments in each doors

Lockable glovebox

Race-Tex roof lining and A pillar trims

Ascending centre console with uncovered storage compartment and closed storage compartment

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

Front and rear luggage compartments

12V sockets in passenger footwell

Interior Lights

Footwell illumination

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

Packs

Interior pack with items in leather and Race-tex - Cayman

Carbon interior pack in satin finish - Cayman

Safety

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Full size driver and passenger airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPM) with track mode

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

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

Seats

Heated seats

Single front passenger seat

Front headrests

Security

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

Alarm system with interior surveillance

Dashcam prep

Transmission

Rear wheel drive

Porsche TORQUE Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock

Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) - 7 speed dual clutch transmission with manual control by steering wheel gearshift paddles and GT specific gear selector

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 299

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 501

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 501

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 280

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 280

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 254

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 254

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 273

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 273

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 299

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 299

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 102

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 81.5

CC: 3996

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 NORTH SOUTH

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 21.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 12.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 12.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 23

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 23

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 25.2

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 25.2

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 23.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 23.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 21.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 21.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 13.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 22.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 22.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 12.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 12.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 11.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 11.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 12.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 12.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 13.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 13.2

General

Coin Series: GT4 RS

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: 50E

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: 500

Badge Engine CC: 4.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.4

Top Speed: 196

Engine Power - BHP: 500

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 368

Engine Power - RPM: 8400

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 332

Engine Torque - NM: 450

Engine Torque - RPM: 6750

Engine Torque - MKG: 45.9

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/35 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 295/30 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: CAYMAN GT4 RS

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4456

Width: 1822

Wheelbase: 2482

Width (including mirrors): 1994

Height: 1267

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1415

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 64

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 136

No. of Seats: 2

Max. Roof Load: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Brakes

Porsche ceramic composite brake (PCCB) with yellow brake caliper

Brake calipers painted in high gloss black

Carpets/Rugs

Leather edging carbon floor mats

Leather edging personalised floor mats

Bespoke floor mats with leather edging

Chassis/Suspension

Front axle lift system

Driver Aids

Reversing camera including rear park assist

Driver Convenience

Homelink (programmable garage door opener)

Embellishment Trims

White instrument dials

Guards red instrument dials

Climate control panel painted

Climate control panel leather

Chrono stopwatch instrument dial in guards red

Chrono stopwatch instrument dial in white

Dashboard end trim in leather/Race Tex

Entertainment

BOSE surround sound system

Deletion of audio and communication system

Exterior Body Features

Model designation deletion

Special metallic paint

High gloss black door handles

Door pull loops in black

Bespoke Sticker set - Porsche

Front window triangle trims in carbon

Deletion of model designation stripes

Door pull loops in Guards Red

Door pull loops in Shark blue

Door pull loops in Racing Yellow

Door pull loops in Lizard green

Porsche logo in high gloss silver

Paint to sample colour

Front lid and rear wing in carbon-weave finish with partial painting

Exterior Lights

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

Interior Features

Passenger footwell storage net

Steering column casing covered in leather

Inner door sill guards in leather

Leather fuse box cover

Storage compartment lid with model logo

Storage compartment lid with Porsche crest

Illuminated door sill guards in carbon

Vehicle key painted with leather key pouch

Vehicle documentation folder in matt carbon

Vehicle documentation folder in leather

Smooth finish leather on steering wheel rim, gear lever in black

Storage compartment lid in Race tex with Porsche crest

Storage compartment lid in race tex with Porsche logo

Illuminated bespoke door sill guards in carbon

Roll cage in satin arctic grey

Leather interior with extensive items in leather and Race tex

Leather interior Weissach package with extensive items in leather and Race tex

Roll cage in satin deep sea blue

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

Light design pack - Cayman

Painted interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Leather interior pack - Cayman (with leather interior)

Dashboard trim pack in leather - Cayman

Leather door trim pack - Cayman

Leather interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Painted interior pack - Cayman (without leather interior)

Smoking pack - Cayman

Weissach pack - Cayman

Weissach pack without roll cage - Cayman

Clubsport pack - 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Accent package logos in indigo blue - 718

Accent package logos in yellow - 718

Accent package logos in red - 718

Chrono pack - 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Interior trim package with decorative stitching and embroidery in contrast colour - Cayman

Paint - Metallic

Porsche metallic - GT silver

Porsche metallic - Gentian Blue

Paint - Solid

Porsche solid - Black

Porsche solid - Guards Red

Porsche solid - White

Porsche solid - Racing yellow

Paint - Special

Porsche special metallic - Shark blue

Porsche special metallic - Arctic grey

Paint to sample colour - Custom

Porsche special metallic - Ruby star neo

Safety

Fire extinguisher

Seatbelts in Guards Red

Seat belts coloured in racing yellow

Seat belts in Lizard green

Seat belts in shark blue

Seat belts in arctic grey

Seat belts in deep sea blue

Seats

Full bucket seat

ISOFIX child seat mounting points on passenger seat

18 way electric adaptive sports seat plus

Six point racing harness seat belt for passenger seat

3D printed bodyform full bucket seat with degree of firmness - soft

3D printed bodyform full bucket seat with degree of firmness - hard

3D printed bodyform full bucket seat with degree of firmness - medium

Trim - Part Leather

Standard interior/leather - Black/Arctic grey with elements in Race tex

Leather interior with extensive items in leather and Race tex - Black/Arctic grey

Leather interior with extensive items in leather and Race tex - Black/Deep sea blue

Leather interior Weissach package with extensive items in leather and Race tex - Black/Arctic grey

Leather interior Weissach package with extensive items in leather and Race tex - Black/Deep sea blue

Vanity Mirrors

Leather sunvisors

Race-Tex sunvisors

Wheels

Wheels painted in silver

Wheels painted in satin black

Wheels painted in satin neodyme

Wheels painted in Indigo blue

Wheels painted in Satin black with rim borders in Racing yellow

Wheels painted in satin white gold metallic

Wheels - Alloy

20" 718 GT4 RS forged magnesium wheels