Porsche Cayman 2019 Review

Has it really been over three years since Porsche turfed the six-cylinder engine from its mainstream Cayman and Boxster models in the search of better efficiency and fuel economy numbers? And, more importantly, has the experiment been a success?

It’s been a while since I've driven either of the entry-level Porsche models – the 718 Cayman coupe or 718 Boxster soft-top. The last time for any period (on the road) was motoring.com.au’s Australia's Best Driver’s Car in 2017. Then, the Porsche Cayman S, complete with 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder and all, romped home to victory, according to our judges.

That car resonated with many of our team, especially on Tasmania's glorious roads. Across a range of roads and weather conditions it was impressive -- technically hard to touch or fault. But personally, I still had a lingering doubt about the connection its powertrain made with me.

And so fast forward a few years to the car in my home driveway -- a base grade 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder 718 Cayman, ever so slightly tweaked but very much still the supposed gateway drug to the world of Porsche addiction.

There’s no such thing as a cheap Porsche. The standard 718 Cayman starts at $114,900 and as tested here is priced at $137,840 before you factor in on-road costs.

The $20K or so of options is not, in the main, made up of frivolous items. In fact, even if we were specifying a car for ourselves, we tick most of the same boxes.

Key among them, Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch transmission and the Sports Chrono Package which is effectively a default choice among Australian buyers. The latter is much more than a clock – it adds engine modes, extra equipment and actually delivers performance increments.

Fact is, these two items alone add in excess of $10,000 to the base price.

Active suspension (with sport settings and lowered by 10mm) and a keyless entry and start system is an extra circa $4000 also. If only for resale value, you'll need to tick these boxes as well.

But it’s not all bad news. Although we often criticise Porsche for its option pricing, we would be remiss in not commenting on the fact the brand has increased its standard equipment across Australian delivered models in recent years.

There is now proper infotainment and sat-nav, decent seats, climate control and upholstery fitted across the range, even the entry-level 718 Cayman.

One extra box that we would have also ticked on ‘our’ 718 Cayman also arrived on the test vehicle -- a GT sport steering wheel straight from the likes of the 911 GT2 RS. It’s a work of art and its rim is not too thick in the manner of so many sporting cars these days.

It doesn’t take long to ascertain that, like the Cayman S that did so well at ABDC, it's very hard to fault the dynamic delivery of the 718 Cayman.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged flat four punches out 220kW and a very flat torque curve that peaks (the wrong term perhaps) at 380Nm from 1950-4500rpm.

Combined with the relatively light weight of the entry-level Cayman, this is plenty to deliver good standing-start and especially good in-gear performance.

Porsche claims 0-100km/h in 4.7sec and in true Zuffenhausen style that’s probably conservative.

The dual-clutch transmission is so good you rarely need to overrule its automatic mode.

When you do, it’s more likely to be for entertainment than efficiency. And thanks to the super-fast changes and almost predictive qualities when in Sports Plus mode, both overtaking and point-to-point progress bely the 718’s entry-level status.

This car is genuinely fast on the narrow, winding challenging roads we all love to drive. It's also exquisitely balanced and behaved. There is really very little with which you can find fault, such is the sheer bloody-minded efficiency of it.

But therein lies the rub. And it's a rub that means Porsche is quietly and privately reconsidering its decision to champion efficiency over emotion.

You see, for all the effectiveness of the brilliant Porsche boxer four, there is a level of engagement that is missing. In two words: wrong soundtrack.

As brilliant as the 718 Cayman is, I could never own one. If I wanted the soundtrack of a carefully fettled and powerful Superbug, then I'd buy or build one.

There. I said it… This car for all its pace and proficiency, sounds way too much like that most iconic of curved screen Volkswagens. And apparently I’m not the only one who thinks this way.

The 718 Cayman has been successful for getting new buyers into the Porsche family but considerably less so when it comes to getting existing owners of six-cylinder boxes and Caymans to trade up to newer vehicles.

It's also been relatively unsuccessful in key markets like the USA, where despite all the SUVs it sells, Porsche still translates as ‘flat six’.

The 718 Cayman is without doubt, however, a remarkable sports car. In terms of handling, in terms of straight-line performance, in terms of racetrack and racer road prowess, there is arguably nothing else as effective with the same dollar spend.

The feel and strength of the conventional steel brakes makes a joke of the mega-dollar composite systems fitted to some big-dollar cars.

There is a remarkable connection between the front wheels in the fingertips in this base model Cayman.

The wheel and tyre combination deliver a reasonable level of ride comfort and also just the right amount of grip. When you do finally start running out of traction you're informed every step of the way, and you’re definitely going plenty fast enough.

I didn't get to drive our pretty Guards Red 718 Cayman on the track, but I can only imagine the absolute hoot it would be.

Ultimately, however, in a day and age when you have limited opportunity to drive quickly on the road and track days are too few and far between for many of us, there needs to be more than an efficiency and efficacy quotient to make you happy with the car choice.

Sports cars need to connect with the people who buy them. There is no other reason for them to exist.

I can respect the technical excellence of the four-cylinder 718 Cayman but it doesn't generate the need or the want from me like the last generation of six-cylinder mid-engine Porsches.

With the new six-cylinder Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder commanding price-tags well into the mid-$200K range, perhaps it’s now time to click through to the classifieds before the S and GTS go the way of their 911 stablemates…

How much does the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman cost?
Price: $116,000 (as tested: $137,840 plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder horizontally-opposed turbo-petrol
Output: 220kW/380Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 160g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested