Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

124 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR&SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

T

he Porsche 718 Cayman
repeated the success of its
predecessors by scooping World
Performance Car of the Year in
2017, marking a trio of wins since
it became the hardtop companion
to the Boxster in 2005.
As before, it’s thoroughly
deserved and comes despite —
or perhaps because of — new
drivelines that change the car’s
character, with the previous
2.7-litre and 3.4-litre six-cylinder
naturally aspirated engines
replaced by turbocharged boxer
four-cylinders of 2.0-litres and
2.5-litres.
The new units share DNA with
the turbo 3.0-litre sixes now in the
911 and bring both more power
(18kW for each) and effi ciency
gains of up to 13 per cent.
The Cayman’s previous slight
power advantage over the Boxster
disappears with the 718 and
the coupe becomes the entry
model for the fi rst time, with the
220kW 2.0-litre and six-speed
manual for $114,900. No-one

who enjoys three-pedal driving

will be disappointed with this

delightful manual, although the

seven-speed dual-clutch PDK

transmission delivers quicker

acceleration and, thanks to its

better fuel economy (and hence

lower luxury car tax), becomes a

bargain option on the base car,

adding just $1860. As before,

this automatic is one of the best

around, complementing the driver

with seemingly intuitive shifts.

The 257kW 2.5 in the Cayman S

starts at $145,100 for the manual

with the auto adding $4990.

It has a more sophisticated

turbocharger, twin tailpipes,

thicker front brakes and 19-inch

alloys instead of 18s.

GTS specifi cation raises

power to 269kW and torque

to 420Nm. GTS manual is

$172,700; PDK is $178,680.

With these engines, Cayman

steps up in performance with

all bar the base 2.0-litre manual

capable of sub-5.0 second sprints

to 100km/h. The S with PDK

and the Sports Chrono optional

performance pack ($4990)

hits the ton in just 4.2 seconds

— quicker than the previous

Cayman GT4 track-focused halo

variant and as fast as a 911

costing at least $60k more.

They feel quick, too, with

forced induction moving the

torque peaks thousands of

revs lower, to just 1900rpm.

That makes Cayman relaxed

around town, with easy-going

driveability and blisteringly

responsive when you demand

everything from it. The throttle

delay typical of turbo units has

been dialled back to almost zip.

Porsche has reworked the

chassis for the 718 to minimise

pitch and roll and the result is

a car that feels rock solid on

the road and capable of intense

cornering speeds. Its damping

and composure is fi rst rate and

feeds straight into unmatched

seat-of-the-pants engagement

for the driver. Few cars are as

easy to drive fast and yet still

rewarding. It turns in sweetly

and hangs on with balance

and precision. Optional active

suspension ($2710) lowers the

car 10mm and makes it even

more effective while improving

already impressive ride quality.

As with the Boxster, a big

lift in cabin presentation as

well as better equipment

levels help its case. One slight

advantage of the Cayman is

additional luggage space inside.

Downsides include the lack of

a wiper for the rear glass and a

thrummy quality to the engine

sound when cruising. Some will

miss the creamy swirl of the

six-cylinder units, too.

The fours are different, but

as lively and vocal in their own

ways. With the 718, Cayman

reinforces its claim to being the

benchmark driver’s coupe.

By Phil King

PORSCHE CAYMAN FROM $114,900

THINGS WE LIKE

 World Performance Car of the Year

2017

 Accelerates as fast as a 911

 Top drawer handling from balanced

chassis

 Strong resale values

 Much-improved cabin

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

 No six-cylinder option available

 No spare tyre

 Options quickly bump the price

 Thrummy engine noise when

cruising

 No rear wiper

SPEX (2.5S PDK)

Made in Germany

2.5-litre horizontally-opposed four-

cylinder turbopetrol/seven-speed

dual-clutch automatic/rear-wheel

drive

257kW of power at 6500rpm/420Nm

of torque from 1900–4500rpm

0–100km/h in 4.4 seconds (claimed)

6.1 L/100km highway; 9.6L/100km

city; 98 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 169g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited km

Standard: Four airbags, stability

control, 19-inch alloys, bi-xenon

headlights, power sports seats,

partial leather upholstery and trim,

parking sensors, tyre pressure

monitoring, touch control screen

with navigation, Bluetooth and

digital radio

Redbook future values: 3yr: 54%;

5yr: 38%

Safety

Not yet tested

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

compare with ...

Audi TT RS, BMW M2