Everyone loves Porsche sports cars for their fun driving attitude, high performance, and luxury. And as time flies, so does the full spectrum of Porsche sports car engineering evolve for the better. From the innovative 918 Hybrid models to the road-focused GT2 RS versions, Porsche has raised the performance bar extremely high. It’s for this reason why German automaker’s portfolio continues to impress car enthusiasts around the globe. This includes the brand’s reasonably-priced 718 Cayman, a vehicle highly known for its awesome mid-engine configuration and superlative suspension systems, which pave the way for a joyful driving character.
The Porsche Cayman came into the picture for the first time in 2005, joining the Porsche family as a hardtop version of the Boxster convertible and a cheap mid-range model of the ever-so-famous 911. In its early times, the Cayman was available in the base model and a Cayman S, both equipping inline-6 boxer powertrains. And the rest is history.
Fast-forward to 2022, the 718 Cayman is currently in its third generation. The 718 Cayman is the first time the car has a supercharged four-cylinder engine, although the atmospheric flat six-cylinder returned to the latest GTS and GT4 models.
Here’s why the Porsche 718 Cayman should be in every gearhead’s collection.
The Porsche's Signature Appearance
Like the rest of the contemporary Porsche family, the 718 Cayman has a stylish exterior appearance. At the front fascia, the Cayman packs a sleek hood and splendid air intakes, giving the car a wider and bolder appeal. The 718 GTS 4.0 trim’s front end gets enhanced air intakes and a black front spoiler. You’ll also get tinted front lights on the new 718 GTS 4.0 model. Opting for the $3,050 SportDesign package gives the Cayman, T, S a special front fascia and a front spoiler. Or you could spend $1,890 on the Exterior package painted and have all corners of your car color-matched to the body.
The wheel arcs are larger than ever, accommodating 20-inch wheels. The side air intakes not only supply air to cool the engine, but also contribute to the car’s aerodynamic shape and performance. These features, combined with the smooth side paneling, boost the 718 Cayman’s side profile and accentuate the mid-engined arrangement. The stylish rear spoiler does a better job of improving the car’s road-holding capabilities. Tailored to the speed, the wing automatically extends when the driver clocks in at 125km/h.
The 718 Cayman Is Offered In Multiple Powertrains
Porsche offers the 2022 718 Cayman in five trims: base, T, S, GTS 4.0, and GT4. So, there’s almost a model for every gearhead in store. Both the low-end base and T model use a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four with 300 hp and 280 lb.-ft of torque. While the Cayman T is slighter lighter, both models achieve a 60-mph sprint in 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 170 mph.
The S model is equipped with a 2.5-liter flat-four, which makes 350 hp and 309 lb.-ft of torque. Thanks to its engine, its 60-mph acceleration time drops to 4.6 seconds, giving it a top speed of 177 mph. The GTS 4.0 trim, as the name states, uses a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six, with 400 hp and 309 lb.-ft of torque.
The GT4 also equips a flat-six but generates up to 414 hp. All 718 Cayman relay this power output to the rear wheels, and except for the T trim, can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission.
The Cayman Vaunts A Sporty Interior
Inside, the Cayman carries the DNA of its 981 and 982 Cayman predecessors, boasting a luxurious and sporty appeal, as Porsche interiors should. The Porsche 718 Cayman has a reasonably spacious cabin, providing occupants with a decent amount of headroom and legroom. A 7-inch touch screen, an eight-speaker stereo, USB ports, a satellite radio, an HD Radio, and Apple CarPlay are all standard across the line-up. In terms of luggage, the Cayman offers 9.7 cubic feet of space in the rear trunk, and 5.2 in the front cargo hold.
A Character And Performance That Suits Every Gearhead
All 718 Cayman trims are very similar when viewed from a features standpoint. But the huge difference is in the performance and gas mileage. The Porsche 718 Cayman’s performance is unquestionable. Thanks to its mid-engine layout, its adaptive sport-tuned suspension, and adhesive tires, the Porsche 718 Cayman offers the best ride quality achievable, providing exceptional balance and stability on the curviest roads. The Cayman T and Cayman S are the most desirable trims. But it all depends on your preference.
The T model balances the fuel economy and the performance quite well, with the addition of useful suspension upgrades. The S trim features a larger engine with an additional 50 horsepower and a few stylish upgrades. It also gets Porsche Torque Vectoring and selectable driving modes, which further improve its performance.
The 718 Cayman GT4 is at the top of the line, offering cool interior and performance upgrades. If you’re into high-powered Porsches, the GT4 will be your closest companion. However, the turbocharged six-cylinder is a bit of a gas-guzzler. On the bright side, it comes standard with the Sport Chrono package, which adds additional drive modes, a lap timer, and launch control.