Porsche launches the 718 Cayman at the Beijing Auto Show

The Cayman still carries the same proportions of its predecessors with a few minor touch-ups. The taut proportions are decorated with prominent air intakes, the nose has a much sharper profile gives the Cayman a wider and more masculine appearance, the ultra slim front lights further reinforces this impression. The larger cooling air intakes and the new bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights while LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights comes as an option. You get an overall more muscular look for the new 718 Cayman, even the interior was made to match. A new sport steering wheel in the 918 Spyder design as well as the extensive connectivity options now come standard in the 718 Cayman along with Porsche Communication Management (PCM).

Just like the 718 Boxster, the Cayman utilises the new four-cylinder flat turbo-charged engine. The entry-level Cayman 2.0-litre turbocharged version produces 300bhp and 380Nm between 1950rpm and 4500rpm while the 2.5-litre S version produces 50bhp more at 350bhp and 420Nm between 1900rpm to 4500rpm. This is a 25bhp increase from the predecessor models with fuel consumption numbers of 8.1 to 5.7-litres per 100km. The 718 Cayman S’s 2.5-litre is also equipped with a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) which was previously only installed in the 911 Turbo. The VTG charger in the 718 Cayman also comes with a wastegate for the first time giving the driver even better torque at all engine speed ranges. Now the 718 Cayman can manage the century sprint in 4.7 seconds and will continue going all the way to a top speed of 275kph. The Cayman S shaves five seconds off by sprinting to a century in 4.2 seconds and to a top speed of 285kph.

Porsche has completely retuned the chassis of the 718 Cayman, the springs and stabilisers have been designed to be firmer and the shock absorbers has been retuned and revised. The steering has been configured to be ten per cent more direct to give drivers enhanced agility and driving fun. The rear wheels are also one-half inch wider to give the car greater cornering stability. Optional accessories include driving dynamics such as the Sport Chrono Package and Porsche Torque Vectoring allows drivers to further customise their Caymans to their preference. Another optional accessory is the PASM which allows the car to be lowered by 10mm for the Cayman while the Cayman S’s PASM sports suspension can be lowered by 20mm.

The 718 Cayman is estimated to arrive on our shores end of 2016 and we have yet to meet its acquaintance. But we have met the 718 Boxster, our Editor has even driven it! Watch out for our June issue to read all about his experience with the new Boxster!