TRANSMISSION, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION
As we've discussed elsewhere in this issue of 911 & Porsche World, PDK dualclutch semi-automatic transmission is massively popular with today's Porsche buyers, and so it proved with the 718 Cayman GTS. The on-paper figures afford PDK owners pub bragging rights, but in the real world, the difference is unnoticeable anywhere other than time trials: with a six-speed manual gearbox managing the GTS'S 317lb-ft torque, 62mph is reached from rest in 4.6 seconds, the time is reduced to 4.3 seconds with the seven-speed PDK unit installed and 4.1 seconds when PDK is paired with active Sport Chrono. And if we're talking fine margins, a manual-equipped 718 Cayman GTS is only 0.2 seconds slower than a 981 Cayman GT4 (only available with a six-speed stick shift) in the benchmark nought to 60mph sprint test.
Top speed of 180mph is unaffected, no matter the transmission type you choose for your 718 Cayman GT4, though CO output is slightly higher when operating the manual: 205 g/km versus PDK'S 186 g/km. You might think this barely deserves a mention, but dropping below 200 g/km allows the PDK car to sit in a lower road tax bracket. Plus, drivers are becoming increasingly concerned with the impact of their carbon footprint. Food for thought, though it's not likely to sway those of you who are thinking about buying a manual 718 Cayman GTS as a track toy or for an attack of your local B-roads. It's worth us mentioning PDK attracted a £2,303 cost on the GTS'S Individual Equipment list and comes with the switchable auto/start stop function (including coasting).
Four-piston calipers with 330mm (front) and 299mm (rear) rotors are standard equipment, with ceramic discs offered as a cost option for a whopping £5,177. Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanically locking rear differential comes as stock spec, while Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a 10mm lowered ride height (20mm was available for an additional £168) and twenty-inch satin black Carrera S wheels also come as standard, the latter wrapped in Michelin 235/35 (front) and 263/35 (rear) N-rated tyres.