Porsche unveils new 718 Cayman
PORSCHE has unveiled a new version of its mid-engined, two-seat sports coupé, the 718 Cayman, at the Beijing Motor Show.
The base 718 Cayman is powered by a 296bhp 2.0-litre engine
The new name is accompanied by a raft of design changes and, most significantly, a change to the engine line-up, with turbocharged four-cylinder engines replacing the six-cylinder units that have been the hallmark of Porsche sports cars for decades.
The base 718 Cayman is powered by a 296bhp 2.0-litre engine, while the 718 Cayman S has a 2.5-litre unit producing 345bhp. Both supply 25bhp than the models they replace, while fuel consumption figures are also improved to 40.9mpg and 34.9mpg, respectively.
The new name is accompanied by a raft of design changes
Performance is also improved: the 718 Cayman can now manage the 0-62mph sprint in 4.7 seconds (a whole second faster than before) and a top speed of 170mph, while the same benchmarks for the 718 Cayman S are 4.2 seconds (an improvement of 0.8 seconds) and 177mph.
Since its introduction in 2005, the Cayman has been a favourite of driving enthusiasts, thanks to its on-road abilities and engaging driving characteristics.
This should continue, with Porsche promising a retuned chassis that delivers more grip and responsiveness, an improved suspension and more direct steering, resulting in enhanced agility.
The Sport Chrono Package also adds a new Individual driving mode (to the existing Normal, Sport and Sport Plus).
Thankfully, to cope with this extra power and the improved dynamic capabilities, there’s also stronger braking systems.
The 718 Cayman can now manage 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds
The 718 Cayman has undergone major cosmetic work
Porsche 718 Cayman please
Styling-wise, the 718 Cayman has changes all around the car, with a new, sharper nose, with ultra-slim lights and larger air intakes; reshaped air ducts on the side; and a new rear, with a wider appearance and new tail lights.
There are also changes in the cabin, with a new dashboard featuring redesigned vents, plus there’s a new steering wheel. In line with the industry-wide adoption of greater connectivity options, the 718 Cayman adopts a new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) as a standard feature, plus options to extend it with the likes of Apple CarPlay and a satellite navigation system featuring real-time traffic information.
The 718 Cayman is priced from £39,878 and the 718 Cayman S costs from £48,834. Both are available to order now, with first deliveries in September.