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Cayman Model In Depth

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Porsche 718 Cayman 982 (4th Gen)

Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition (2024 – Present)

Fresh colours and harmonious contrast packages characterise the new Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition and 718 Cayman Style Edition sports cars. Available on the base model, this is a sweet package for the buyer looking to jazz up their base Cayman or Boxster and make them really special. Underlining Porsche’s commitment to ever more creative and vibrant bespoke finishes, the new models are characterized by special colors and matching contrasting elements. This is evident with the new color Ruby Star Neo, a modern interpretation of the color used on the 964 Carrera RS.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport (2022 – Present)

The most significant change is the 4.0 litre six-cylinder boxer engine. This high-revving powerplant has been taken directly from the 911 GT3 Cup race car and develops 500 PS in the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport – 75 PS more than the previous GT4 Clubsport model. In addition to many upgraded details, the focus in developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport was on further improving overall performance. The standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) fitted to the car now uses all seven forward gears, rather than six.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS (2022 – Present)

New for 2022 is the most exciting Cayman ever, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The GT4 RS is equipped with the same scintillating flat-six engine that powers the 911 GT3. It's a 4.0-liter unit that makes 493 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque in the GT4 RS. Porschephiles will notice that those figures are not quite as high as in the 911 GT3, which packs 502 hp and 346 lb-ft. Big numbers for a small, lightweight car. It is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch to optimize lap times further. Nobody has driven it yet from the motoring public, but we eagerly await that day and will report back here.

Porsche 718 Cayman 982 (4th Gen)

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (2021 – Present)

The 2021 Cayman GTS 4.0 is the perfect car. The old GTS used a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4, and while it was a perfectly strong engine with lots of low-end torque, it lacked the personality and linear power delivery of a free-breathing flat-six. It didn't sound half as good, either. The GTS 4.0 was built to offer more performance and more grunt as well as a more aggressive design and all the good options included as standard. The new 4.0-liter engine is borrowed from the 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4, detuned to produce 394 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual is standard.

Cayman GT4 Rallye Concept (2018)

For testing purposes Porsche Motorsport built a few tarmac rally cars based on the Cayman 981 GT4 racing version. The Cayman rally car was the course car for the WRC (World Rally Championship) 2018 ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The FIA R-GT Cup was contested on tarmac rounds of the ERC and WRC, like the German WRC event. For Porsche, the entry of a concept study based on the near-production GT circuit race car was a critical test under real conditions.

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport (2015 - 2016)

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport (2015 – 2016)

In 2015, Porsche announced the car we all thought Porsche would never build. It has been a few years since it has been released and the excitement It was the first time Porsche introduced lets the motorsports guys in Weissach sprinkle their magic on a Cayman. With components sourced from the 911 GT3, an engine carried over from a Carrera S and a tweaked and tuned chassis, brakes and aerodynamics, Porsche’s engineers did their best to produce the perfect mid-engine sports car for road and track use.

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition (2012)

The Limited Edition Cayman S Black combines many of the high performance benefits found only in the 2012 Cayman R with many other desirable options off the list, options that when combined create a distinct personality for this special car. After the R hit the scene, many potential buyers complained of the inability to order one with many of the highly desirable street options, particularly PASM. The Cayman S Black Edition gets the 330 BHP engine found in the R but without all of the other performance focus.

Porsche Cayman R (2012)

On November 17th - 2010, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller unveiled the 2012 Cayman R to an excited audience at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Porsche pretty much threw the kitchen sink at this one, applying all they know and have available without actually redesigning the car. Every performance option on the list, and then some that weren't on the list have found their way into the Cayman R. A weight savings of 121 lbs. (55 kg) was achieved and it transformed the Cayman. We are going out on a limb here, but we think the Cayman R may be one of the best Porsche cars ever made.

Porsche Cayman S Sport (2009)

In late 2008, Porsche introduced the limited edition Cayman S Sport. The Sport was a Cayman S packaged with many sport options to create an edgy/sporty Cayman S. Beyond sport options, the Cayman S Sport received new DME software maps created to work with the Porsche Sport Exhaust and a unique Twin Chamber Dual Output Tailpipe that supply the Cayman S Sport with 303 horsepower at 6,250 RPM, making it the first Cayman to break the 300 horsepower ceiling.

Porsche Cayman S Design Edition 1 (2008)

In the middle of 2008, Porsche introduced the limited edition Cayman Design Edition 1. The Design Edition 1, also know as the DE1, was a Cayman S packaged with many exclusive cosmetic options intended to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Porsche Design. This car was clearly designed for the Porsche enthusiasts who wanted to own a very special Cayman. Buyers of the DE1 received a special briefcase that contained some pretty cool Porsche Design merchandise, including a Design Edition Chronograph Wrist Watch, Sun Glasses, Ballpoint Pen, Pocket Knife, Key Chain and the key to the DE1.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 (2020 – Present)

The 718 Porsche Cayman GT4 is everything you could possibly want in a sports car. The sublime combination of a legendary chassis and naturally aspirated 6-cylinder Porsche engine is accentuated by the emphasis that less is more when done right - and nobody does this better than Porsche’s GT division. No one will make the argument that these are objectively inexpensive cars, but for those in the market for an introductory dose of supercar sensory-overload, the GT4 checks all the boxes, and then some. Need a track car and daily driver in one package? Then the 718 Cayman GT4 may be the car for you. An absolute blast.

Porsche 718 Cayman T (2020 – Present)

Similar to the 911 T, the 718 Cayman T is not the fastest, most luxurious or even the cheapest of all the 718 variants. However, the car is a unique combination of features and nuances that add up to more than the sum of its parts. The T-wins are the perfect car for somebody who knows exactly what they want, and wants nothing more than that - the purist’s car. The Cayman T is equipped with the base-model 718’s mid-mounted 2.0L flat-four turbocharged engine, which produces 296 bhp @ 6500 rpm and 280 ft lbs of torque. The Sport Chrono package is included as standard.

Porsche Cayman 987 (2nd Gen)

Porsche Cayman (2009 – 2012)

Four years after the introduction of the Cayman S, and three after the regular Cayman, the mid-engine sport-coupe from Porsche received an important update. The facelifted version of the Cayman offered a completely enhanced package. From the exterior to the interior, from the engine to the gearbox and suspension, it was reworked. It might be mistaken with a new model if the Porsche internal coding system wouldn't be the same as on the 2006 Cayman (987C). The engine displacement was increased from 2.7 to 2.9-liter and received direct fuel injection.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (2019 – Present)

On 3 January 2019 the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport was unveiled in two variants, Competition and Trackday, with first customer cars delivered to customer teams ahead of the 2019 Roar Before the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona International Speedway. The race car is powered by a 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine producing 425 PS (419 bhp; 313 kW) at 7,500 rpm and 425 N⋅m (313 lb⋅ft) at 6,600 rpm connected to a 6-speed PDK gearbox. The kerb weight is 1,320 kg (2,910 lb). Both variants feature a welded-in roll cage, a six-point harness and race bucket seat, a selection of body parts made of natural-fibre composite materials and race suspension from the 911 GT3 Cup.

Porsche 718 Cayman 982 (4th Gen)

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (2018 – 2022)

Porsche expanded its mid-engine range with the new two-seater Porsche 718 Boxster GTS and Porsche 718 Cayman GTS. The vehicles' power has now been increased to 269 kw (365 hp) thanks to a newly developed intake duct and an optimised turbocharger for the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder boxer engine. With these improvements, the engine delivers 11 kW (15 hp) more power than the 718 S model and up to 26 kW (35 hp) more power than its GTS predecessor models with naturally aspirated engines. The new mid-engine sports cars are available with manual six-speed transmission or optional PDK

Porsche Cayman S (2009 – 2012)

Four years after the introduction of the Cayman S, the sportier version of the mid-engine sports coupe Porsche was refreshed. It was even faster and could carry more cornering speed. The facelifted version of the Cayman S offered a completely enhanced package. From the exterior to the interior, from the engine to the gearbox and suspension, it was reworked. The engine was kept at 3.4-liter displacement, but due to its new direct-fuel injection system, the power was increased by 25 hp over its non-facelifted version.

Porsche Cayman GT4 (2015 – 2016)

In 2015, Porsche announced the car we all thought Porsche would never build. It has been a few years since it has been released and the excitement It was the first time Porsche introduced lets the motorsports guys in Weissach sprinkle their magic on a Cayman. With components sourced from the 911 GT3, an engine carried over from a Carrera S and a tweaked and tuned chassis, brakes and aerodynamics, Porsche’s engineers did their best to produce the perfect mid-engine sports car for road and track use. Compared with the standard Cayman, the GT4’s chassis was lowered by 30mm and bigger brakes were added, with many aspects of its suspension carried over from the 911 GT3. Some serious motorsport kit. One of the best ever.

Porsche Cayman GTS (2014 – 2016)

The Cayman GTS arrived a s 2014 model year car and boy was it special. It featured a marginally more powerful engine, a new body kit, new 20-inch Carrera S wheels, new Bi-Xenon headlights, and a new sports exhaust system. The Cayman GTS is longer than the Cayman and the Cayman S by 30.5 mm (1.2 in) due to its bumpers. The new, optional passive sport suspension allows the Cayman GTS to have a 20 mm lower ride height compared to the Cayman equipped with standard passive suspension or 10 mm lower compared to one with the standard-equipped PASM. Power was 330 bhp @ 6700 rpm and 0 - 60 mph was a brisk 4.1 seconds.

Porsche Cayman 987 (2nd Gen)

Porsche Cayman (2007 – 2008)

A year after the Cayman S and the second generation of the Boxster were unveiled, Porsche released the non-S version of its mid-engine sport-coupe vehicle. The “regular” Cayman was still a sports car that could top a 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in 6.1 seconds so it couldn't be called a “slow” car. It was slower than its brother S, but it was still a daily-driver sports-car. The Cayman was built to be not only a fast and nimble car but a practical vehicle as well.

Porsche 718 Cayman 982 (4th Gen)

Porsche 718 Cayman S (2017 – Present)

Searching for more muscle? The 718 Cayman S got a new 2.5L turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder. Power comes in at 345 bhp @ 6500 rpm and torque is a really strong 310 ft lbs @ 1900 rpm. For reference, the outgoing 981 Cayman S had 311 bhp and 265 ft lbs of torque. While we hate the drone of the turbo four cylinder, there is absolutely no doubt that is much more powerful and that performance numbers are much stronger. 0 – 60 mph is over in just 4.0 seconds and the quarter mile is finished in 11.9 seconds flat. Much faster than the outgoing model. But is it as engaging? No.

Porsche 718 Cayman 982 (4th Gen)

Porsche 718 Cayman (2017 – Present)

With the 982-generation Boxster/Cayman platform, Porsche went back in time to pull out the 718 name, a reminder that the sports car maker has been doing the small sports car thing for a long time. The 718 of course, is diminutive race car that won the Targa Florio race in 1959 and 1960. The marketing stunt was meant to evoke these past Porsche racing successes with light cars like the 718 that outmaneuvered competitors with larger and more powerful engines. The reason? Porsche got rid of the naturally aspirated flat-6 engines and instead would now have flat-4 turbocharged engines.

Porsche Cayman S (2013 – 2016)

For 2013, Porsche gave us the new 981 generation Cayman. The Cayman S engine displacement is unchanged at 3.4 liters. Power is increased by 5 horsepower to 325, shooting the S from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds while delivering as much as 30 miles per gallon (PDK & Sport Chrono+). There are two transmissions choices available in the 2013 Caymans, both carrying over from 2012. The Cayman S come standard with the 6 speed manual gearbox and 7 speed PDK was available as an option. The 981 Cayman S is arguably the best all around sports car that Porsche offers, the right balance between being fun and usable daily.

Porsche Cayman S (2006 – 2008)

After the initial announcement that Porsche was going to release a small mid-engine coupe, we were all excited. In 2005 we finally got the Cayman S. A fast, mid-engine coupe in the Porsche lineup, starting with the S version as a 2006 model year car (the base model came a year later). The 2006 Porsche Cayman S was based on the Boxster series, the two-seat coupe incorporated dramatic new styling, a powerful 295 hp (SAE) engine, and features and options made popular by Porsche's current range of sports cars.

Porsche Cayman (2013 – 2016)

The 2013 model year saw the introduction of an all new platform, the new 981 Cayman. The differences between the 981 and 987 were significant, but not unexpected as many of the new technologies were already introduced in the new 991 and 981 Boxster. This is a big year with lots of changes in many areas. The base engine for the Cayman was a 2.7-liter flat-six unit that boosted out 236 hp and it was mated to a standard 5-speed gearbox. A 5-speed Tiptronic sequential gearbox was available as an option.