New Porsche 718 Cayman revealed

Following on from the launch of the Porsche 718 Boxster, its coupe sibling – the Porsche 718 Cayman – has been unveiled.

Like its convertible sister model, the 718 Cayman has switched to turbocharged four-cylinder power and gets mildly refreshed styling, as well as upgraded suspension and brakes, plus a new infotainment system.

Unlike the previous model, the new Porsche 718 Cayman will have exactly the same amount of power as the Boxster, with the entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged 718 Cayman producing 296bhp and the 718 Cayman S managing 345bhp from its 2.5-litre ‘boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine.

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In terms of performance, models equipped with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the optional Sport Chrono pack will do 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, while the 718 Cayman S manages it in 4.2 seconds. Top speeds for the Cayman and Cayman S stand at 170 and 177mph respectively.

The switch to turbocharged four-cylinder engines has been made in an effort to improve efficiency and cut CO2 emissions. With the seven-speed PDK gearbox fitted, the 718 Cayman will return an average of 40.9mpg, while the Cayman S fitted with the same transmission will average around 34.9mpg.

Like the Boxster, the new Porsche 718 Cayman also gets suspension and steering upgrades, using some of the same components as the track-focused Porsche Cayman GT4 for an even more engaging drive than the outgoing model. The new car’s rear tyres are also slightly wider, for more grip through corners.

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You can also specify options like Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which drops the ride height and stiffens the suspension. The Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) limited-slip differential will send power to the wheel with the most grip, allowing for better acceleration out of corners.

Thanks to the 718’s extra power and performance, Porsche has fitted the new car with bigger brakes front and back to boost stopping power.

As has become the norm for Porsche, styling changes are minimal at best. Like the 718 Boxster, the new Cayman gets redesigned light graphics, with four square LED daytime running lights encircling the main headlight, while there’s a strip of daytime running lights just above the front air intakes, too.

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The biggest changes are at the back, however, with a redesigned rear deck and a raised light bar running across the back of the car between the light clusters. This also holds the extending rear spoiler and has Porsche lettering.

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Inside, the biggest change is the upgraded infotainment system, which is now fully touchscreen-operated and responds to pinch-and-swipe inputs to make it more user-friendly. It includes Bluetooth connectivity and an upgraded stereo.

Porsche has also redesigned the upper dashboard, with new air vents and surrounds. You get a new steering wheel in the 718 Cayman, too. As in the Boxster, it’s based on the steering wheel from the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar. It’s smaller than before and features a rotary switch for selecting different driving modes.

Orders for the new Porsche 718 Cayman are open now, with prices for the entry-level 718 Cayman starting at £39,878, while the 718 Cayman S starts at £48,834. This is the first time the Cayman has actually cost less than the Boxster since it was introduced in 2005. Deliveries will start in the autumn.