Porsche 718 Cayman

Which Porsche 718 Cayman Version Should You Buy?

The best Porsche 718 Cayman version depends on whether you prioritize economy, acceleration, or a naturally aspirated engine. Among the versions listed, the 718 Cayman 2.0 PDK is the economical all-round choice, combining 300 hp with 8.1 l/100 km and 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The best Porsche 718 Cayman version depends on whether you prioritize economy, acceleration, or a naturally aspirated engine. Among the versions listed, the 718 Cayman 2.0 PDK is the economical all-round choice, combining 300 hp with 8.1 l/100 km and 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The 718 Cayman S 2.5 PDK cuts that time to 4.4 seconds with 350 hp, while the 718 Cayman GTS 2.5 PDK reaches 4.3 seconds and 290 km/h. For maximum listed power, choose either 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 MT or 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK, both with 400 hp; the PDK is the quickest version here at 4.0 seconds, while the manual reaches the higher top speed at 293 km/h.

Porsche 718 Cayman generations and versions

The catalogue contains four production phases but three underlying generations because the restyled first generation belongs within the first generation rather than standing alone.

The first generation ran from September 2004 through January 2009 as a Coupe with six versions. Its 2,687 cc and 3,386–3,387 cc Gasoline engines produced 245–303 hp. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with either a 6-speed Manual or 5-speed Automatic gearbox.

The first-generation restyling ran from February 2009 through March 2013, also as a Coupe, and added six versions. Outputs ranged from 265 hp in 2.9 MT and 2.9 PDK to 330 hp in R 3.4 MT and R 3.4 PDK. This phase introduced 7-speed Robotic alternatives alongside 6-speed Manual versions.

The second generation ran from April 2013 through April 2016. Its nine Coupe versions covered 211–385 hp, 2,706–3,800 cc engines, and Manual or Robotic gearboxes. The GT4 3.8 MT is the most powerful version in this generation, although the supplied acceleration figure does not make it the quickest: it records 5.0 seconds to 100 km/h, while S 3.4 PDK records 4.9 seconds.

The third generation began in May 2016 and has ten listed Coupe versions. It introduced 1,988 cc and 2,497 cc Turbo engines with 300–365 hp, while 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 MT and 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK use 3,995 cc engines with six cylinders, an Opposite layout, and no boost. Every listed third-generation version is RWD.

Porsche 718 Cayman engine specs

The third-generation Turbo engines deliver the greatest calculated power per litre. The 300 hp, 1,988 cc versions produce about 151 hp per litre, while the 365 hp, 2,497 cc GTS versions produce about 146 hp per litre. The 400 hp, 3,995 cc GTS versions produce about 100 hp per litre. For comparison, the second-generation GT4 3.8 MT produces about 101 hp per litre.

Porsche 718 Cayman performance and fuel economy

For the same 300 hp, the 718 Cayman 2.0 PDK accelerates 0.2 seconds quicker than 718 Cayman 2.0 MT and uses 0.6 l/100 km less fuel on the combined cycle. The same 0.2-second advantage applies to 718 Cayman S 2.5 PDK over 718 Cayman S 2.5 MT, while its combined consumption is 0.8 l/100 km lower.

Choosing 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK instead of 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 MT saves 0.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 1.2 l/100 km combined. The manual is 5 km/h faster at maximum speed.

Porsche 718 Cayman weight, clearance and wheel specs

The strongest calculated weight-to-power result belongs to 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 MT at about 3.51 kg per hp. 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK follows at about 3.59 kg per hp, while the earlier GT4 3.8 MT delivers about 3.48 kg per hp and is therefore marginally better by this calculation. Among the 300 hp third-generation cars, 718 Cayman 2.0 MT is lightest at 1,335 kg, or 4.45 kg per hp.

Which Porsche 718 Cayman version should you choose?

Choose 718 Cayman 2.0 PDK for the strongest balance of acceleration and consumption in the third-generation range. It matches the manual’s 300 hp and 380 Nm, but its 4.9-second acceleration is quicker and its 8.1 l/100 km combined consumption is lower.

Choose 718 Cayman S 2.5 PDK when 350 hp is enough and you want a clear step beyond the base car. Compared with 718 Cayman 2.0 PDK, it adds 50 hp and 40 Nm, reduces the 0–100 km/h time by 0.5 seconds, and raises top speed by 10 km/h. Combined consumption increases by 0.7 l/100 km.

Choose 718 Cayman GTS 2.5 PDK when acceleration and Turbo torque matter most. It has 365 hp and 430 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, and uses 8.2 l/100 km combined. Compared with 718 Cayman S 2.5 PDK, it adds 15 hp and 10 Nm, gains 5 km/h at the top end, and cuts 0.1 second from the acceleration time while using 0.6 l/100 km less combined.

Choose 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK for the quickest listed acceleration and 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 MT for the highest listed speed. Both provide 400 hp and 420 Nm from 3,995 cc, with six cylinders in an Opposite layout and no boost. Their combined consumption is 9.6 and 10.8 l/100 km respectively.

For an earlier car, S 3.4 PDK is the second-generation performance-and-economy compromise: 325 hp, 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h, 281 km/h, and 8.0 l/100 km combined. GT4 3.8 MT adds 60 hp and 50 Nm, but its supplied acceleration time is 0.1 second slower and combined consumption rises by 2.3 l/100 km.

Within the restyled first generation, R 3.4 PDK offers the quickest acceleration at 4.9 seconds, while R 3.4 MT is 2 km/h faster and 25 kg lighter. For the original first generation, the 303 hp 3.4 MT is the performance choice: it reaches 100 km/h 0.7 seconds sooner than the 303 hp 3.4 AT and has an 8 km/h higher top speed. Its consumption figures, however, are not measured in the supplied data.