3rd-gen Porsche 718 Cayman shows less can be more
Been thinking of taking the Porsche plunge? If so, you should know it’s a watershed year for Porsche’s entry-level mid-engine sports car, the Cayman.
The Cayman has undergone an overhaul so extensive — more powerful engines, new body, cabin, and sportier suspension — that it goes by a whole new designation for 2017: 718 Cayman. Porsche said the only parts carried over from the previous model are the windshield, roof and luggage compartment lid.
The 718’s sharper body sculpting is gorgeous. Inspired by storied Porsche racecars like the 550 Spyder and the 718 GTR, the third-generation Cayman looks wider, lower and nimble. The 718 coupe is eye candy from any angle but it’s especially tasty in profile. The front and rear fascias have been redone and there’s a new design for the standard Bi-Xenon headlights and integrated LED daytime running lights. The prominent intakes in the rear fenders just behind the doors feed cooler, denser air to the engine and help transfer heat from the turbocharging system’s air-to-water intercooler.
The office is likewise upgraded. Everything is clean but not stark. Another thumbs-up: Porsche hasn’t succumbed to the digital instrument panel fad. Efficient and technical, the large, round, full-sweep tachometer dominates the IP with the smaller speedometer off to the left. Interior materials have been expanded and there are some very inviting and elegant color combinations available.
But perhaps the most dramatic change is that Porsche ditched the flat-six, triggering consternation among some Porsche traditionalists.
Taking the place of the Cayman’s previous 2.7-, 3.4- and 3.8-liter six-bangers are direct-injection flat fours that share much of the same technology, and in some cases, even parts, with Porsche’s sixes. The turbocharged 2.0-liter unit in the base 718 Cayman makes 300 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. The Cayman S has a 2.5 liter and a larger turbocharger that uses variable vane technology for greater efficiency and less turbo lag. The 2.5 is rated at 350 horsepower and 309 lb.-ft. of torque. The Cayman and Cayman S get a 25-horse bump in horsepower compared to their outgoing counterparts.
Of course, Porsche has a long history with fourcylinder power — the 912, 914, 924 and 944 come to mind — and Porsche set out to make these 21st century boosted fours useful and responsive. There’s increased torque — up 67 lb.-ft. for the base Cayman and 37 lb.-ft. for the Cayman S — on tap from 2,000 rpm to 4,500 rpm.
Porsche said the 718 Cayman with six-speed manual scoots to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds while the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic PDK (short for Porsche Doppelkupplung) takes just 4.7 seconds. The Cayman S manages that feat a half-second quicker.
The PDK is a $3,210 option but when combined with Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package ($2,090) the 718s are even quicker. The Sport Chrono Package includes analog and digital stopwatches, a steering wheel-mounted switch that now has four settings: normal, sport, sport plus and a new individual mode that lets drivers customize settings for the rear spoiler, sport exhaust system (if equipped), auto start/stop and suspension. In the center of the switch is a “sport response” button that provides the road-going equivalent of military emergency power for 20 seconds. In any case, that’s more than enough warp speed for passing or, if you’re so inclined, quarter-mile runs. Muscle car lovers take note: Porsche said a base Cayman with sixspeed manual will knock out 13.4-second elapsed times while the Cayman with seven-speed PDK will do 13.2. (The Cayman S will do 12.8 and 12.6, respectively.)
Porsche put the 2017 Cayman’s starting price point at $55,300 and its convertible sibling, the 718 Boxster, at $56,000, bringing the 718s in line with other manufacturers who charge more for their top-down cruisers. The Cayman S starts at $66,300.
The Cayman is a Porsche so it comes with premium touches like leather (seats, steering wheel, shifter, door handles, armrests and center console storage cover), a six-speaker 110-watt audio system with satellite/HD receivers, 11 GB internal jukebox storage and CD/DVD drive, front and rear ParkAssist with reversing camera and HomeLink.
However, in typical Porsche fashion there are dozens of options for the 718, ranging from two upgraded exhaust systems, seven 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels and tires, exterior appearance items, several seats, upholstery, mahogany, aluminum or carbon fiber trim, ceramic brakes ($7,410), two high-end audio systems, safety technology and even seat belt colors. You can also choose whether you want the “718” on the side of the car or left off (at no extra cost.)
A few housekeeping items: The tires are staggered sizes (wider rears) so there’s no spare, just tire sealant and an electric air compressor. The good news is that the mid-engine 718 Caymans have decent room for luggage: 5.3 cu. ft. up front and 4.4 in back.
The basic 718 Cayman is the least expensive Porsche sports car. (The MSRPs of 2018 models will go north a tad, but the Cayman coupe will still be about twothirds the price of an entry-level 911.) The high-tech PDK dual-clutch gearbox may be quicker than stink but frankly the Cayman’s slick shifter reinforced our preference for sticks in a sports car like the 718. It’s good and necessary to stay engaged with a car that flicks and tracks so well (did we mention it uses a quicker steering rack that was adapted from the 911 Turbo?). The manual will reward drivers, keeping the high-output four’s revs in the sweet spot when and where they want it.
If you’d like some rational ammo to sell the idea of picking up a new 718 to your significant other (or yourself ), keep in mind that Porsche was the No. 2 brand in Consumer Reports’ 2017 brand report card, which looks at predicted reliability, road test score, owner satisfaction and safety. Kelley Blue Book said the 718 Cayman has the best resale value in sports cars and U.S. News & World Report named Porsche 2017’s best luxury brand.
If you do pull the trigger, don’t overlook one of the best advantages of owning a Porsche: the Porsche Club of America (https://www.pca.org ) The PCA is a fantastic way to learn what you and your sports car can do on the track and off, while meeting friendly, helpful souls and their families. The PCA’s Houstonarea chapter is the Lone Star Region (http://www. lsrpca.com )
So while we may lament losing the music of Porsche’s signature flat-six sound, in many ways this newest and most affordable Porsche proves that less can be more.