Porsche Cayman

Porsche Cayman at a glance

The Cayman took the Boxster's mid-engine layout and added a fixed roof and a rear hatch, which made the body stiffer and gave it two luggage areas. Porsche positioned it between the Boxster and the 911, and for most of its life the coupé had slightly more power than the equivalent roadster. Cars were built in Germany and, until 2012, also at Valmet in Uusikaupunki, Finland; from 2012 production moved to Osnabrück. The brand's wider story is in Porsche's history.

First generation 987 (2005–2012)

The Cayman S made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005 and went on sale late that year with a 3.4-litre flat-six of 217 kW (295 PS). The base Cayman with a 2.7-litre engine of 180 kW (245 PS) followed in July 2006. Porsche quoted 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h, 260 km/h and a kerb weight of about 1,340 kg. The 2009 facelift (987.2) brought a 2.9-litre engine with 195 kW (265 PS) for the base car and a direct-injection 3.4 with 235 kW (320 PS) for the S. The seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox replaced the old Tiptronic automatic.

The limited Cayman R of 2011 was about 55 kg lighter than the Cayman S, with a lower suspension and 243 kW (330 PS). It reached 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds with PDK and Sport Chrono and had a top speed of 282 km/h with the manual gearbox.

Second generation 981 (2013–2016)

The 981 Cayman went on sale in spring 2013 as a 2014 model. It used a body that was 40% stiffer in torsion than before and made more use of aluminium, and Porsche claimed up to 15% lower fuel consumption. The base 2.7 gained 10 PS over its predecessor, reaching 202 kW (275 PS), while the 3.4-litre Cayman S produced 239 kW (325 PS). The old 1cars text adds that the new car was about 30 kg lighter and lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under eight minutes.

The GTS of 2014 added 11 kW, for 250 kW (340 PS). In 2015 the Cayman GT4 took a slightly detuned 3.8-litre flat-six from the 911 Carrera S, turned through 180 degrees, with 283 kW (385 PS) and 420 Nm. It came only with a six-speed manual, reached 295 km/h, and 2,500 were built in 2015–2016.

Third generation: the 718 Cayman (2016–2025)

For the 2017 model year Porsche renamed the car 718 Cayman, a reference to the 718 racing car of the late 1950s, and replaced the flat-six with turbocharged flat-four engines. The base 2.0-litre produced 220 kW (300 PS) and the 2.5-litre 718 Cayman S 257 kW (350 PS), with 0–97 km/h in 3.9 seconds for the S. The GTS of October 2017 raised the 2.5 to 272 kW (370 PS).

Critics missed the sound of the six, and in 2020 Porsche brought it back. The GTS 4.0 has a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six with 294 kW (400 PS) and 420 Nm, and the GT4 uses the same engine with 309 kW (420 PS). The 2021 Cayman GT4 RS took a 4.0-litre unit with 368 kW (500 PS) and 450 Nm. It reached 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and lapped the Nordschleife 23 seconds faster than the GT4.

Practicality, cabin and safety

Two boots make the Cayman more practical than its looks suggest. According to the old 1cars data, there are 150 litres at the front and 275 litres under the rear hatch, 425 litres in total. The cabin seats two, with a low driving position, a three-dial instrument cluster and a centre screen. All versions have Porsche Stability Management and the airbags of the Porsche Side Impact Protection System. Brakes use four-piston aluminium monobloc callipers, with six-piston front callipers on the more powerful models. Options included LED headlights with dynamic main beam, adaptive cruise control and ventilated seats.

Rivals and common problems

Compared with an Alpine A110 S, the 718 Cayman S has about 36 kW more but weighs more. Set any two of these against each other in the 1cars comparison tool, or see where the GT4 RS ranks among the quickest coupés.

On 987 cars, look for signs of the intermediate-shaft bearing and bore-scoring problems known on M97 flat-six engines, and for oil leaks from the rear main seal. On all generations, check the coolant pipes and the radiators, which collect debris in the front intakes. Cars used on track need a close look at brakes and clutch. A specialist pre-purchase inspection with a reading of the engine's over-rev records is worth paying for.