Porsche has unveiled its new two-seater sports coupé, the 718 Cayman. The new 718 is the fourth generation of the mid-engined, two-seater sports coupé and is distinguished by a athletic and purposeful appearance and comes equipped with new flat-four turbocharged ‘boxer’ engines delivering upwards of 300 hp of power.
The new four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engines with turbocharging that first debuted in the 718 Boxster are shared with the 718 Cayman. As a result, coupé and roadster Porsche models offer identical engine outputs for the first time. The 718 Cayman derivative is powered by a 300 hp 2.0-litre engine that produces up to 380 Nm of torque, generated between 1,950 – 4,500 rpm.
The 718 Cayman S, on the other hand, gets a 350 hp 2.5-litre engine that features a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG). This technology has been hitherto used exclusively in the 911 Turbo, and is unique to Porsche in petrol engine applications. In the 718 Cayman S, the VTG turbocharger additionally has a wastegate. The engine delivers up to 420 Nm between 1,900 and 4,500 rpm.
The 718 Cayman, with PDK and optional Sport Chrono Package, sprints from zero to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The 718 Cayman S completes this sprint in 4.2 seconds. The top speed of the 718 Cayman is 170 mph, and the 718 Cayman S can reach a speed of 177 mph.
The retuned chassis of the 718 Cayman has increased dynamic responsiveness and cornering grip; springs and anti-roll bars have been designed to be firmer and the tuning of the shock absorbers has been revised. The steering, which has been configured to be ten per cent more direct, is aimed to enhance agility and consequently increases driving pleasure further still. The rear wheels, which are half an inch wider, in combination with the re-developed tyres result in an increased lateral force potential and hence greater cornering grip.
Driving dynamics options such as the Sport Chrono Package and the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) electronically-controlled rear limited slip differential allow the sporting character of the 718 Cayman to be further custom-tailored to suit individual preferences. Another available option is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with -10 mm lower ride height. Additionally, in the S model, PASM sport suspension combined with a – 20 mm lower ride height is offered for the first time.
Brake systems are now in use with 330 mm brake discs in front and 299 mm discs at the rear. The 718 Cayman features the brake system that was previously used in the Cayman S. The 718 Cayman S in turn uses the four-piston callipers of the 911 Carrera, combined with 6 mm thicker brake discs.
Visually, the new 718 Cayman gets taut proportions, prominent air intakes at the front and sides and sweeping profile underscore the boost in dynamics. The nose has a much sharper profile, which gives the front end a wider and more purposeful appearance. The front lights above the air intakes, which contain the parking lights and indicators, further reinforce this impression. Rounding off the front end of the 718 Cayman are the significantly larger cooling air intakes and Bi-Xenon headlights in a new design with integrated LED daytime running lights. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option.
From the side, the new coupé reveals its striking sculptured wheel-arches and side sills. The re-designed rear also has a much wider appearance, emphasised by a high-gloss black strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The tail lights too have been completely re-designed and are distinguished by their technological three-dimensional styling and four brake individual brake lights that appear to float freely.
On the inside, the upper part of the dash panel including air vents is new. The new sports steering wheel in ‘918 Spyder’ design as well as the extensive connectivity options have now been added to the 718 cockpit, along with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) as a standard feature. Mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the 150-watt Sound Package Plus are all part of this standard.
