- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.5T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
269kW, 430Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS quick spin review
What is it?
The grown-up version of Porsche’s junior sports car. A lower, louder and more powerful version of the entry-level 718, the Cayman GTS lends sharper focus to the mid-engined coupe.
How much does it cost and what do you get?
Priced from $179,080 with a seven-speed dual-clutch “PDK” auto, the GTS treatment costs $28,590 more than the mid-range Cayman S in two-pedal form.
Standard kit in the GTS includes 20-inch wheels, a central infotainment screen with Sat Nav and Apple CarPlay, a separate digital dashboard display, sports seats and much more.
While the coupe isn’t exactly cheap, it does represent decent value for customers keen to get hold of a Cayman with the lot. Many of the GTS’ standard features are optional extras on cheaper models – gear such as adaptive suspension, a throatier exhaust, sharper body kit, black-painted, sports seats and Porsche’s must-have Sport Chrono timer and driving mode selector add more than $30,000 to the price of a Cayman S.
That said, value isn’t exactly a strong point for Porsche, which charges for features such as parking sensors and a reversing camera ($1690), smart keys ($1690), a rear windscreen wiper ($690), metal sports pedals ($620) and other features found on much cheaper vehicles.
What’s under the bonnet?
Another reason to run with the GTS lies just ahead of the rear axle, where it has a more powerful engine than Cayman siblings. Powered by Porsche’s new 2.5-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder turbo, the GTS serves up 269kW and 430Nm peaks (12kW and 10Nm more than the Cayman S) capable of propelling it to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 290km/h.
This is a rapid car. With peak torque available from just 1900rpm, the boosted engine blends beautifully with Porsche’s benchmark PDK transmission to deliver seamless, relentless acceleration at legal speeds. Impressively, it only uses a claimed 8.2L/100km of premium fuel to do so.
Outstanding in isolation, the 718-generation Cayman driveline is a little short on charm compared with its naturally aspirated predecessor. Slower and thirstier than its replacement, the old six-cylinder Cayman’s linear power delivery and mournful howl are imprinted deep within my memory as a reference for sports car perfection and the number one argument against Porsche’s standard-bearing 911.
While the switch to four-cylinder power and a Subaru-like soundtrack imbues the Cayman with renewed pace and its own character, I’m not certain it was a change for good.
What’s it like to drive?
The Cayman’s midship engine layout and relatively light 1405 kilogram weight contribute to a balance rarely found on the road. Outstanding steering responses, brake feel and traction meet an intoxicating blend of stability and agility underpinning one of the greatest driver’s cars on sale.
The GTS’ punchy turbo engine encourages you to exploit the Cayman’s dynamic abilities in new ways, lending muscle to match its finesse. Tauter and more focused than the regular Cayman or Cayman S, the GTS’ purposeful approach improves the car’s outright abilities to the point where it feels more like a baby McLaren than a shrunken 911.
And yet, part of me feels as though the most expensive Cayman might not be the best one. Lower, stiffer suspension reduces the car’s body roll, which affects the way the Cayman communicates its intentions. In the same way that more is not always better, the most involving Cayman might not be the one with the most grunt and grip.
What’s it like inside?
Comfortable and supportive seats join beautifully-finished Alcantara-clad touchpoints for the GTS’ steering wheel and gearlever, which represent tactile delights. Porsche’s infotainment system is intuitive and well-presented, representing one of the best options in its class.
Interior storage is not exactly expansive in the two-seater, though there is plenty of storage space in the front and rear compartments.
Is it safe?
Crash bodies don’t crash-test Porsche sports cars, which are also a little thin on driver aids.
Then again, the Cayman’s outstanding braking and handling capabilities – along with one of the best-calibrated stability control systems you could hope for - help avoid crashes.
Would I buy it?
That’s a tough question. There’s little doubt the Cayman GTS is a wonderful driving tool, but at just shy of $200,000 as tested, I would be more inclined to go for the proper Porsche experience and pick up a low-mileage 911.
What else should I consider?
The big brother 911 is the obvious answer if you can stretch to it, and cheaper members of the Cayman family are worth a look. Rival machines include the more relaxed Jaguar F-Type and hardcore Alfa Romeo 4C, along with Renault’s upcoming Alpine A110 coupe.
Second-hand buyers should absolutely consider Porsche’s previous-generation 981 Cayman GTS, if they can live without the new model’s speed and factory warranty.
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS PDK:
Price: From $179,080 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 269kW at 6500rpm
Torque: 430Nm at 1900-5000rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 8.2L/100km