Looking on the bright side of losing two pistons

Engines are getting smaller and smaller, but their power levels still seem to keep growing and growing.

One of the best examples is the new Porsche 718 Cayman coupe and its Boxster roadster counterpart that both deliver greater potency, but with two fewer cylinders than before.

Many-Porsche fans will bemoan the loss of the six-cylinder engines that have powered the Cayman since its creation. They made magical sounds throughout their rev ranges and produced enough power to satisfy most needs. However, automakers these days are seeking greater efficiencies— improved fuel economy, lower emissions and reduced costs— while still delivering a rewarding driving experience.

The new718 Cayman (the mid-engine Boxster soft top also gets the 718 tag) is wrapped in an updated body that remains true to the original 2006-model-year design. The 718 in the name pays homage to a historic racecar from 1960, but there’s nothing retro about the newcar.

The front end has been slightly reshaped, including new-headlights, and the side air intakes have been enlarged. In back, the taillights are also evolutionary. Both base and S versions have new19- and 20-inch wheel designs, respectively.

Note that the length, width and distance between the front and rear wheels is virtually identical to the 2016 Cayman and that the new four-cylinder engines provide no weight reduction to the total package, which checks in at about 3,150 pounds.

The Cayman’s cockpit has undergone some minor updates, highlighted by new gauges and a 7-inch touch-screen that houses the audio, communications and optional voice-activated navigation system. These changes only enhance what is arguably one of the most attractive and livable sports-car interiors to be found anywhere.

Porsche also reengineered the suspension and steering to improve both the Cayman’s road and racetrack agility.

But it’s behind the passenger zone where the changes are most apparent. The base Cayman now runs with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. That’s a significant bump from the 275 horsepower and 213 pound-feet of torque produced by the previous base six-cylinder.

Move up to the 718 S’s 2.5-liter turbofour and the horsepower increases to 350 and torque to 309 (the previous six-cylinder was rated at 325/272).

Gone, at least for the time being, is the hot Cayman GT4 that put out 385 horsepower from a 3.8-liter six-cylinder.

Both 718 engines can be mated to sixspeed manual transmissions or the sevenspeed automated manual, called the PDK.

Porsche says the base 718 can sprint to 60 mph from rest in 4.9 seconds (4.7 with the PDK), while the S does it in 4.4 with the six-speed (4.2 with the PDK). These values are quicker than before, but less so for the Cayman S.

The optional Sport Chrono package, available for PDK-equipped cars, reduces these times by a couple of ticks with the