Porsche 718 Cayman T

Touring spec Cayman sits between standard and S model

Introduction

Porsche’s latest Cayman slots neatly into the space between the standard Cayman with its 300PS turbo 2.0-litre flat four and the full-spec Cayman S with a 350PS 2.5-litre engine, combining the engine from the former with the sports chassis and setup of the latter. It’s a purist’s Cayman, coming as standard without any in-car entertainment other than what’s provided by that light, agile chassis and synapse-fast handling.

718 Cayman Range​

Safety

Porsche has pared down the Cayman T to offer a pure driving experience but that doesn’t include skimping on safety. Full-size driver and passenger airbags come as standard. The Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP comprises side impact protection elements in the doors and two airbags on each side. There’s an integral thorax airbag in each seat side bolster, while the door panels each contain an upwards-inflating head airbag.

Design

It’s not easy to spot the external changes, but the new Cayman T’s most distinguishing features are 20-inch Titanium Grey alloy wheels and grey door mirror shells. At the rear, you’ll find the central, twin exhaust tailpipe is finished in black and the Cayman T logo is finished in Agate Grey. Overall, the look is pared-back, purposeful, enhanced by the lower ride height of the S. ​

The same ethos continues inside, with a shortened gearshift, high-gloss black trim strips and Porsche’s Sports Seats plus. Door pulls are in minimalist nylon, and there’s a simple storage compartment where the infotainment goes in other models (though this is available as an option).​​

Performance

With the 300PS 2.0-litre flat four from the 718 model Cayman sitting low and in the vehicle’s centre of gravity, you’re assured of an entertaining drive. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds though if you opt for the PDK transmission and Launch Control you can cut this to 4.7s. Thanks to the turbo, the peak torque of 380Nm starts at just 1,950 and continues unabated up to 4,500rpm. Top speed is 170mph. ​

Porsche’s Sport Chrono Pack is standard on the Cayman T, offering a choice of Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes. The chassis features the lower ride height and stiffer springs of the S, there’s torque vectoring with a mechanical rear diff lock, and new dynamic gearbox mounts, the latter claimed by Porsche to improve precision and stability. ​​

Technology

The Cayman T has plenty of high-tech systems to enhance grip, handling and stability but inside the cockpit has a storage space where the infotainment system goes on other models. This is all part of the purist intent for this model and helps to bring the all-up weight down to 1350kg. If you can’t live without built-in audio and sat-nav then the Connect Plus module is available, with Porsche Car Connect and Apple® CarPlay, LTE telephone module with SIM card reader, wireless internet access, online navigation and Porsche Connect services.​

Verdict

Like its twin, the Boxster T, the new Cayman offers the ultimate in Porsche mid-engined driving enjoyment in a pure and uncluttered package. It’s only fractions slower than the larger-capacity S model but in all other respects its equal on a twisting country road. Choose the infotainment if you want, but we suspect that many owners will keep it pure and simple (and use their smartphones for navigation). A classic of tomorrow, ready for you to enjoy today. ​​

Technical Specification​