Not too long ago, Porsche resurrected the 718 name as a minor change for both the open-top Boxster and hardtop equivalent Cayman. On the Boxster's minor change with the new name, the 718 Boxster, despite the low volume caused by its choice of its 2.0L and 2.5L turbocharged engine, which is not a winner for speedo boys many, its handling attributes are still as sharp as ever. Now, what about the hardtop equivalent?
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| 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman |
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| 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman |
This is the new 718 Cayman. It's a minor change derivative of the second-generation Cayman, which served as the Boxster's hardtop equivalent, and even with a new name for a familiar car, it still comes with the similar bits and bobs from the 718 Boxster, now with a roof and better dynamics that can be somewhat called "accessible".
Even though this is the hardtop equivalent of the 718 Boxster, the all-new 718 Cayman is a much trigger-happy choice for discerning car enthusiasts who prefer substance over style, even though it wasn't a key factor for this sportscar. For a closed roof variant of the 718, it still features similar weight and performance figures as the Boxster variant. In the S version, the one with the 2.5L turbo engine in the middle, it produces 350PS of power and 420Nm of torque, and when mated to a 7-speed PDK, it's a similar story. 0 to 100kph in less than 4.2 seconds and onwards to 285kph. Yes, a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox mated on this car sounds very nice if you're gunning for quickness but if you want to enjoy it to the fullest, best to pick with the 6-speed manual gearbox. Be warned though that if you're on city streets, you may find that the 718 Cayman's not a practical car to drive around town and park.
Thanks to its new chassis, the 718 Cayman, although not a quick car to take on a drag race against any car powerful than this, it's a track-honed sportscar that enjoys making a mark through the corners and because this is a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sportscar, it feels well poised and well-balanced like an exotic car but with some manners of a daily driver's car full-stop. It may be smaller than the other guys but its opposition can feel its unpredictability when it comes to handling like every sportscar in the world should be. That's subtlety for you.
Price? The new 718 Cayman starts at 51,623 Euros, which is two grand less than the open-top 718 Boxster, making it a smart buy for a mid-engined sportscar that likes to be a cut among the rest and with the new 718 Cayman, that lack of style makes up with its subtlety as a driver's car that likes to be taken seriously.
