Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 2.5 (A) First Drive Review
16 Jul 2018|13,138 views
What We Like
Looks good
Top-notch cabin
Precise and agile handling
Fantastically balanced chassis
Sharper throttle response
What We Dislike
Doesn't make a great sound
What exactly is a GTS model? Well, it's essentially Porsche looking at its options list, picking the equipment most buyers add on to the S models, and making them standard. Add some slight tweaking to the engine, tint the lights black, add some black trimming and, voila, you have a GTS.
This here is the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, which sits above the Cayman S in the model lineup.
Compared to the Cayman S, the GTS sits 10mm lower to the ground
So what do you get?
You get a lot of equipment on the options list as standard, albeit cheaper than if you were to spec these options individually.
The Sport Chrono Package comes as standard. Porsche Active Suspension Management also comes as standard, which lowers the body of the GTS models by 10mm compared to the S model. There's also a rear limited-slip differential, sports exhaust, sports seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
The cabin is still immaculately classy and well-appointed
So has it added potency to the Cayman?
The GTS formula certainly brings added dynamism to the already potent Cayman. Porsche has redeveloped the intake duct and optimised the turbocharger on the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which has bumped up power by 16bhp to 361bhp. With the PDK gearbox, torque is rated at 430Nm.
The engine is sharper, while upshifts and downshifts are more aggressive. It revs hard and willingly, and throttle response is fantastic. However, as far as actual power goes, you'll be hard pressed to detect a significant difference from the Cayman S.
This here is the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, which sits above the Cayman S in the model lineup.
So what do you get?
You get a lot of equipment on the options list as standard, albeit cheaper than if you were to spec these options individually.
The Sport Chrono Package comes as standard. Porsche Active Suspension Management also comes as standard, which lowers the body of the GTS models by 10mm compared to the S model. There's also a rear limited-slip differential, sports exhaust, sports seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
So has it added potency to the Cayman?
The GTS formula certainly brings added dynamism to the already potent Cayman. Porsche has redeveloped the intake duct and optimised the turbocharger on the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which has bumped up power by 16bhp to 361bhp. With the PDK gearbox, torque is rated at 430Nm.
The engine is sharper, while upshifts and downshifts are more aggressive. It revs hard and willingly, and throttle response is fantastic. However, as far as actual power goes, you'll be hard pressed to detect a significant difference from the Cayman S.
That said, 361bhp and 430Nm of torque in a car weighing just 1,405kg makes for rapid and rampant acceleration. It's also a lively and talkative chassis, with a lovely sense of balance thanks to the mid-engine layout.
Steering is sharp and delectable, with plenty of grip from the tyres. It feels quite like a go-kart - it's eager to turn, yet equally eager to slide if you're not careful. You do have to treat it with respect - it's not as planted as a 911, especially coming out of slow corners.
The Sport Chrono Package includes a mode switch that allows you to toggle between four modes, with Sport Plus delivering the sharpest dynamic experience
Sadly, the big downer is the unremarkable soundtrack. It's not a bad sound per se, but it just can't compare to the way a flat-six engine sings. The sports exhaust just serves to amplify the uninspiring sound from the four-pot engine.
So is this the Cayman to have?
Well, we're not entirely sure. Around a track, the GTS is great fun, and certainly sharper than the Cayman S.
The Cayman GTS is certainly a sharper and more dynamic car around a race track
But is it a better daily sports car? The Cayman S has a more supple chassis, with extra give in the suspension, and is definitely more comfortable on normal roads. The GTS' additional dynamism can only really be felt on a track. So, if you wanted a fast Cayman, the S more than suffices. However, if you're prone to ticking many boxes on the options list, then buying the GTS instead might actually be the more financially prudent choice.
Steering is sharp and delectable, with plenty of grip from the tyres. It feels quite like a go-kart - it's eager to turn, yet equally eager to slide if you're not careful. You do have to treat it with respect - it's not as planted as a 911, especially coming out of slow corners.
Sadly, the big downer is the unremarkable soundtrack. It's not a bad sound per se, but it just can't compare to the way a flat-six engine sings. The sports exhaust just serves to amplify the uninspiring sound from the four-pot engine.
So is this the Cayman to have?
Well, we're not entirely sure. Around a track, the GTS is great fun, and certainly sharper than the Cayman S.
But is it a better daily sports car? The Cayman S has a more supple chassis, with extra give in the suspension, and is definitely more comfortable on normal roads. The GTS' additional dynamism can only really be felt on a track. So, if you wanted a fast Cayman, the S more than suffices. However, if you're prone to ticking many boxes on the options list, then buying the GTS instead might actually be the more financially prudent choice.
What We Like
Looks good
Top-notch cabin
Precise and agile handling
Fantastically balanced chassis
Sharper throttle response
What We Dislike
Doesn't make a great sound
What exactly is a GTS model? Well, it's essentially Porsche looking at its options list, picking the equipment most buyers add on to the S models, and making them standard. Add some slight tweaking to the engine, tint the lights black, add some black trimming and, voila, you have a GTS.
This here is the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, which sits above the Cayman S in the model lineup.
Compared to the Cayman S, the GTS sits 10mm lower to the ground
So what do you get?
You get a lot of equipment on the options list as standard, albeit cheaper than if you were to spec these options individually.
The Sport Chrono Package comes as standard. Porsche Active Suspension Management also comes as standard, which lowers the body of the GTS models by 10mm compared to the S model. There's also a rear limited-slip differential, sports exhaust, sports seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
The cabin is still immaculately classy and well-appointed
So has it added potency to the Cayman?
The GTS formula certainly brings added dynamism to the already potent Cayman. Porsche has redeveloped the intake duct and optimised the turbocharger on the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which has bumped up power by 16bhp to 361bhp. With the PDK gearbox, torque is rated at 430Nm.
The engine is sharper, while upshifts and downshifts are more aggressive. It revs hard and willingly, and throttle response is fantastic. However, as far as actual power goes, you'll be hard pressed to detect a significant difference from the Cayman S.
This here is the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, which sits above the Cayman S in the model lineup.
So what do you get?
You get a lot of equipment on the options list as standard, albeit cheaper than if you were to spec these options individually.
The Sport Chrono Package comes as standard. Porsche Active Suspension Management also comes as standard, which lowers the body of the GTS models by 10mm compared to the S model. There's also a rear limited-slip differential, sports exhaust, sports seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
So has it added potency to the Cayman?
The GTS formula certainly brings added dynamism to the already potent Cayman. Porsche has redeveloped the intake duct and optimised the turbocharger on the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which has bumped up power by 16bhp to 361bhp. With the PDK gearbox, torque is rated at 430Nm.
The engine is sharper, while upshifts and downshifts are more aggressive. It revs hard and willingly, and throttle response is fantastic. However, as far as actual power goes, you'll be hard pressed to detect a significant difference from the Cayman S.
That said, 361bhp and 430Nm of torque in a car weighing just 1,405kg makes for rapid and rampant acceleration. It's also a lively and talkative chassis, with a lovely sense of balance thanks to the mid-engine layout.
Steering is sharp and delectable, with plenty of grip from the tyres. It feels quite like a go-kart - it's eager to turn, yet equally eager to slide if you're not careful. You do have to treat it with respect - it's not as planted as a 911, especially coming out of slow corners.
The Sport Chrono Package includes a mode switch that allows you to toggle between four modes, with Sport Plus delivering the sharpest dynamic experienceSadly, the big downer is the unremarkable soundtrack. It's not a bad sound per se, but it just can't compare to the way a flat-six engine sings. The sports exhaust just serves to amplify the uninspiring sound from the four-pot engine.
So is this the Cayman to have?
Well, we're not entirely sure. Around a track, the GTS is great fun, and certainly sharper than the Cayman S.
The Cayman GTS is certainly a sharper and more dynamic car around a race track But is it a better daily sports car? The Cayman S has a more supple chassis, with extra give in the suspension, and is definitely more comfortable on normal roads. The GTS' additional dynamism can only really be felt on a track. So, if you wanted a fast Cayman, the S more than suffices. However, if you're prone to ticking many boxes on the options list, then buying the GTS instead might actually be the more financially prudent choice.
Steering is sharp and delectable, with plenty of grip from the tyres. It feels quite like a go-kart - it's eager to turn, yet equally eager to slide if you're not careful. You do have to treat it with respect - it's not as planted as a 911, especially coming out of slow corners.
So is this the Cayman to have?
Well, we're not entirely sure. Around a track, the GTS is great fun, and certainly sharper than the Cayman S.
Also read our comparison article on:
Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe 2.0 vs Porsche 718 Cayman PDK 2.0
Car Information
Porsche 718 Cayman
CAT B|Petrol|n/a
Horsepower
269kW (361 bhp)
Torque
-
Acceleration
4.3sec (0-100km /hr)
Thank You For Your Subscription.
