Porsche Cayman 718 S test drive review – When Desire Meets Stuttgart’s Finest

Posted On 12 Nov 2017

By : DTi

Tag: Cayman 718 S, Porsche, reviews, Test Drive

Imagine you could be 9 years old again. What car would you want to drive every day? Without a doubt, it’s going to have 2 doors and it’s going to be fast. But as an adult, you have other concerns and responsibilities to worry about. You still need a car that’s reliable, fuel-efficient, and you want a car that’s not harsh on the environment for the sake of your children.

You might think that it’s impossible to have all of that in one car, but you’d be wrong. Porsche have done it with their new 718 Cayman S.

This breathtaking mid-engined sports coupe is designed to do the impossible. It marries an ultra-efficiency with unbridled power. Its 4-cylinder 2.5-litre boxer engine is a technical marvel that puts out 350 horses while returning 7.3L/100km. What’s more, it only produces 167g of CO2 per kilometre. Even without a hybrid system, it’s still both eco-friendly, and capable of a 0-100km/h speed of 4.2 seconds (with the Sports Chrono package).

To achieve these two opposing extremes, Porsche’s engineers used a very special type of turbocharger. Most manufacturers have to choose between a smaller turbo that restricts high end power or a large turbo that delivers power a little too late. Some manufacturers get around this problem by using both.

Both Porsche’s solution is a lot more elegant. They’ve engineered a turbo with a variable geometry turbine. Meaning airflow is optimised for whatever speed the engine is turning at. That means you get peak torque from as low as 1900 rpm and all the way to 4500 rpm. This power gets sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed PDK. With the weight of the low-slung boxer engine in the middle of the car, the balance is perfect. When compared to the previous model, steering is more direct, and it’s more powerful than ever. It’s no wonder the 718 Cayman S is regarded as one of the best handling cars ever made.

Yet this is a car that doesn’t always need to be driven fast and hard. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system let’s you decide if you want a firmer, sportier ride or something more forgiving. The 718 Cayman S still gives you enough luggage room for both you and your passenger. The cabin is exactly where you want to be after a hard day’s work. Breathable, expressive Sport-Tex leather can be optioned in Graphite Blue and Crayon. You can take it a step further by adding decorative contrast stitching too – so the cockpit ends up being a reflection of your personal taste.

The level of luxury afforded here is industry leading. Step into any Porsche and you get nothing but the best materials and craftsmanship. That has been the case for years, but this generation of Porsche’s take that philosophy and apply it to the digital aspects of the car. The new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system is a beautiful interpretation of infotainment. It’s sophisticated, polished and cutting-edge in every aspect.

The Cayman S almost feel like a reasonably-priced version of the legendary 911. In fact, any adult who’s trying to fulfill his childhood fantasy of owning a Porsche should be happy that the 718 Cayman S exists. It’s a performance powerhouse for those with responsibilities to take care of.