718 Cayman S: Superstar Sportscar

Porsche attempts to fix its unbroken and all-conquering coupé with some style inputs and by introducing a 4-cylinder turbo engine in the 718 Cayman S

So, what's your favourite sports car? Is it a flamboyant red Ferrari, the jaw-dropping yellow Lamborghini or an Aston Martin, the "gentleman's choice"? Whatever your answer, it is without doubt that nothing quite defines the term sports car like the Porsche 911 - both from dynamic and heritage perspectives. For those who couldn't afford it, it was the Boxster/Cayman, which started off as miniatures of the 911. But it was only until recently that the twins gained a pretty form and chassis credentials to challenge the 911. In fact, the last iteration of the Cayman - the 981.1 - was almost flawless.
For 2017, Porsche has given it a mandated reboot. But by keeping up with automotive trends - like, adding a 4-cylinder turbocharger instead of the predecessor's V6 - has Porsche gone too far? We find out!

DESIGN & AESTHETICS
First things first: this 2017 YM Cayman is the product of a revamp - at least from a visual perspective - and not a complete overhaul. And this time, the coupé is priced below the Roadster, similar to the 911 models, unlike when first launched.
Porsche has added the digits 718 to the mix as a tribute to their racecars from half a century ago and to emphasise the Cayman's refocused performance. The car looks pretty much the same as before. This is still the slick, low-slung 2-door coupé with all the right curves that will win over the hearts of many with its crest - which equals to snob value - if not its bodacious body. Up front, besides the new larger intakes, the stacked light arrangements of the ovoid headlamp cluster has been replaced by four-point daytime running lamps that surround the powerful xenon projector units, like on the new 911 and Cayenne. Clear-glass taillights and headlights with twin horizontal elements are the highlight changes in the rear, while the spoiler that cuts into the lamps and the twin exhausts remain. Our test car came equipped with PASM and that drops ride height by 20mm, giving it more of a planted stance.
The test car came in what Porsche calls Graphite Blue, but I think it's more an unorthodox grey! Even in such a peculiar colour, this Porsche sits in traffic like a gem among stones. And although I find it hard to admit, this new Cayman does look gorgeous and the new changes, although subtle, transform the car to some extent.
It has clinical and Germanic interiors, which are evergreen clichés for vehicles from the manufacturer from Stuttgart; everything is ergonomically designed. But I'm not a big fan of the circular flat bottom air vents on the dashboard; they sit like two-dimensional Fabergé eggs on a flat panel. Pilfering the steering wheel, with its many mechanisms, from the 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar was a good idea though! Also, the near flush fitting of the larger infotainment screen is a winning formula, if you ask me: it gives the dashboard a clean look.
While getting more than one friend along is out of the question, this is still a 2-seater and a usable one. The fully electric sports seats with 14-way adjustability and steering column have great adaptability for people of various sizes. Some may find the aggressive bolstering a bit constricting on the shoulders. at least those with a larger build!

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
The fundamental appeal of the Cayman was in the way it drove - and a big part of that has to do with the engine. So has Porsche shot itself in the right foot by taking away the naturally aspirated V6 and giving it a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine with mono turbocharging? Yes, 4 cylinders! Before you know it, 6 is down to 4, then 4 down to 2 and soon we will all be driving electric cars. Jokes apart, this new engine benefits from Direct Injection (staple for any car these days), and that fancy VTG - Variable Turbine Geometry - that was first introduced in the 997 911 Turbo, which alters the vane angles of the turbine to reduce - and hence, improve - drivability.
This new motor makes 350 PS at the crank, 25 more than before, and bucketloads more torque to get the wheels spinning quicker. This Porsche likes to be hurt and is able to ring its way up to a stratospheric 7,500rpm which is fantastic for a force-fed engine. Even on the worst day, where sand grains make the roads slippery and the hot atmospheric air reduces the density to nothing, it will pull hard, eclipsing the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in just 5 seconds. Or find yourself in ideal road conditions and it will do it in 4.2 seconds, like Porsche claims. But make sure you activate launch control and the Sport+ mode.
As for braking, some have verified a 99 ft stop from 100 km/h to a standstill! All we know is when you have internally vented and perforated grey cast iron, disc sized 330mm at the front and 299 mm at the rear, you know you are headed for the metaphorical brick wall when you stomp the brake pedal. As for the super expensive carbon ceramics, we don't see a benefit unless you frequent the track where it can used to counter brake fade, which, in racing terms, is pure evil!
While the 718 Cayman is an all-out performance car, it's not much of a gas guzzler. Porsche claims a fuel economy figure of 7.3L /100 km and C02 emissions of a lowly 167 g/km, much thanks to the auto start/stop and the coasting function that drops revs down to neutral when the foot is off the pedal.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
With a total cargo volume of 334 litres split between the 150 litre frunk - short for front trunk - and the 184L boot, it does present itself as a usable tourer. Albeit, you can't get a full-size suitcase to fit well. But they have done it right with the infotainment system, with its sharp responses, no-nonsense logic and interface. This makes life in cyber space less cumbersome!
The dual-zone air conditioner works hard but efficiently to keep the cabin cool and that is necessary in these parts of the world, but why has Porsche optioned it with a heated steering wheel is still a mystery. No matter how small cars are, nothing feels as good as having simple safety systems like park assist - front and back - and a rear camera like we have on the Cayman S.
The big question for audiophiles: how good is the audio system? Well, if the song of the flat-4 isn't enough, you start off with the 150-watt audio unit, which can be upgraded to a 505-watt 11-speaker Bose, which, in my opinion, is all you need to satisfy your senses. The near Dh15k 821-watt 12-speaker Burmester is simply an overkill!

VERDICT
The 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S has proved itself to be a powerful precision instrument for the road and is worthy of wearing the numbers 718. It begs to be driven hard by a chassis that delivers balance like nothing else. It's the best sports car sensible money can buy, but do watch out for those overpriced options that can turn the bottom line into an expensive affair.

FUN FACT
The Porsche 718 is a storied racing car built by Porsche between 1957 and 1962.

SPECIFICATIONS
Body type: 2-seater; 2-door premium compact high-performance coupe
Engine: Mid-engine; turbocharged 2.5-litre flat 4-cylinder; rear-wheel drive
Transmission: 7-speed PDK (automated manual)
Peak output: 350 PS @ 6,500rpm; 420 Nm @ 1,900 - 4,500rpm
0 to 100km/h: 4.2 seconds w/Sport+ (claimed)
Top speed: 285 km/h (drag limited; claimed)
Price: Starting at Dh236,400

Pros: Snob value; sporty exteriors; new-found power; chassis balance; handling and braking
Cons: 4-cylinder engine chatter not for everyone; no place to keep a full size suitcase; egg-shaped air vents
Author's rating: 8.5/10 stars
wknd@khaleejtimes.com

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