New 718 Cayman S lost its charm

[Gazoak]

I spent an afternoon driving the new 718 Cayman S PDK at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone and although it is still a great drivers car, it can't touch its predecessor. It feels fast, I like the appearance of the car particularly at the back although the front end has lost some of its aggression. I don't like the sport and sport plus button location at 4 o'clock as I think that detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the new steering wheel. I found the engine noise very booming in the cockpit and the power delivery instant but not smooth. For anyone who hasn't driven a flat 6, they probably won't notice it but I'm not convinced. I also noticed that once the car was parked the fan continued which I'm guessing is there to cool the turbo. I haven't noticed fan run-on in my car or the new 911 engine with the turbo. Any thoughts?

 

[Brian_Innes]

Interesting.......

I've also a test drive coming soon of a 718 CS PDK. The showroom model I thought looked fabulous, from any angle.

I've already committed to my new 718 CS PDK. Delivery due in December.

I don't mind the mode switch position on the steering wheel. Looks fine to me.

The turbo cooling fan running after switch off is due to the mid-engine configuration. Possibly irksome to a few, but essential for cooling down the engine bay. It gets hot in there so the fan helps vent the cramped engine compartment and dissipate heat soak. The 911 turbo engines have a more open and airy engine bay, being slung out in the breeze at the back.

The engine boomy-ness in the cabin I shall comment on later. My main interest is in the chassis dynamics and A and B road handling. The engine note is of minor concern to me. It's the way the car drives and feels on rural Highland roads that remains my main focus.

In case you are wondering, I'm no stranger to flat six Porsches. I've owned 3 Cayman's, last one a CR manual so I'm hoping for even more grip, handling balance and stability at least as good, if not better than my CR, and an upgrade in cabin quality and comforts. I've specced my new car accordingly with a keen driver's spec.

My impressions on the car will follow in due course.

I embrace change. Things move on, so I'm more than happy to try something new. I also enjoy my driving, and I think the new 718 CS PDK will surprise many when they get on the track next year. I hope to be one of those exploring the new limits of the improved 718 chassis....with track day Spyder alloys and Cup 2's. Coming from my CR I have high expectations. Time will tell.

Brian

 

[Gazoak]

I agree, the car looks great Brian and don't believe there is a competitor that comes close in looks, handling or performance at that price point. I'm only on my first Porsche so lack the experience you have had. I haven't noticed the fan remain on in my 981S after a hard drive, maybe it should. I'm sure you will enjoy it and I don't think Porsche would put a product out there that they weren't happy with. I think their main reason for reducing the number of cylinders from two to four is down to being squeezed on emissions and also to differentiate from the 911. I'm sure you'' enjoy it when it arrives. I attach a photo of the Carmine Red car I spent the day driving together with a Lava Orange 718S looking beautiful in the showroom.

Gary

 

[Gazoak]

Lava Orange 718S PDK

 

[Gazoak]

Lava Orange 718S PDK

 

[Brian_Innes]

Thanks Gary.

Both cars look great, and it had been a very interesting comparison.

The only time I noticed the cooling fan coming on when I had my Cayman R was after a few hot laps at a track day and parking at the paddock and letting the engine idle for a few minutes. You could feel the heat being extracted from the driver's side air vent. I guess I'll get used to the 718 doing this more often.

Can't wait to get my hands on the 718 CS PDK in December.

Brian

 

[Buddy]

Having had a 944 turbo that had a separate cooling circulation after shut down to cool the turbo bearings then expecting an intercooler and such on the Cayman it does make sense with the closed installation to have the fan stay on for a time, it probably has additional cooling on the bearings at the same time operated as it was on the 944 with an electric pump.

I have had the fan come on on my 987.2 several minutes after shut down so it is temperature sensitive to operate the engine bay vent fan.

Enjoy your new Caymans when you get them

 

[John Webber]

Hi all potential 718ers!! I am very new to Porsche brand after owning several New Mercedes, BMW's, Audi, Jaguars and yes even an Aston Martin. I have found in life if you have not owned or driven something how can you miss it!! When I looked into buying a new car I thought lets buy some new technology as well. I started looking and test driving many quality brands in September 2016 and decided in February this year to put a deposit down for the forth coming 718 after many visits comparing models and specifications I have ordered an Agate Grey 718 S PDK with quite a comprehensive specification and with talking to many Porsche owners and enthusiasts the spec I have ordered in their opinion is a very good choice. I have now been told that my new Cayman 718 S should be at the dealership on 11th November and will be their first Cayman delivered. I'm looking forward very much to ownership which I'm sure I will enjoy and if it has not got a thingy with a double whatsit fitted I might perhaps not miss it!! John.

 

[Motorhead]

A refreshingly unbiased approached John..!

Enjoy your car when it arrives next month and keep us posted with your impressions.

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

John, sounds like you will be one of the first, if not the first, UK 718 Cayman customer delivery.

The next few months leading into 2017 should see some interesting owner appraisals on the new model. From my 8 years experience with the Cayman range, culminating in the superb "R", I shall certainly be adding my twopence worth to the mix.

Unfortunately, I was seemingly not high enough in the OPC pecking order to get offered a GT4. Therefore my 718 CS spec is heavily weighted towards driving enjoyment with the intention of matching the agility and balance of my CR. We shall see in due course how it compares for me on both road and track.

I'm counting the days until December.

Brian

 

[AndrewCS]

I spent an afternoon driving the new 718 Cayman S PDK at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone and although it is still a great drivers car, it can't touch its predecessor. It feels fast, I like the appearance of the car particularly at the back although the front end has lost some of its aggression. I don't like the sport and sport plus button location at 4 o'clock as I think that detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the new steering wheel. I found the engine noise very booming in the cockpit and the power delivery instant but not smooth. For anyone who hasn't driven a flat 6, they probably won't notice it but I'm not convinced. I also noticed that once the car was parked the fan continued which I'm guessing is there to cool the turbo. I haven't noticed fan run-on in my car or the new 911 engine with the turbo. Any thoughts?

I had a similar experience when driving the new Boxster, whilst exceptionally competent it lacked the `soul` that I had previously experienced in an older Boxster and air cooled 911`s. The engine felt / sounded similar to the four pot turbo hot hatches that I had recently been testing.

With a test of the pre turbo Boxster planned I jumped into a Cayman R and as the saying goes ... the rest is history []

 

[Brian_Innes]

Well, I'll be coming from 4 years ownership and 30k miles in my CR manual to a 718 Cayman S PDK soon. It's the significant upgrade in chassis dynamics, brakes, cabin quality and electronic technology that appeals to me. The 718 is also the best looking Cayman yet in my opinion, and I've owned 3.

I'm not fazed by the 4 pot turbo bass beat. It's faster, has loads more useable torque, therefore pulls the long gears better. For my driving roads, it'll be perfect.

Given time, the 4 pot will be accepted eventually, and as the Boxster/Cayman evolves into even more powerful GTS variants and beyond, the 6 pot N/A, although always desirable, will fade into history. Small capacity turbo motors allied with electric power plants will surely become a part of the Porsche strategy for sports coupes.

The Boxster/Cayman chassis being a two seater, is infinitely more suited to all electric power when that eventually comes along as it surely will one day.

Where will the 911 be placed then I wonder?

Brian

 

[AndrewCS]

Hope to catch up with you on those roads sometime ...

Are you at the R2 OPC day next Saturday ?

 

[paulseagrave]

I did a test drive today in a 718s and was impressed ,I need a track focused car that i can also take my wife out in and the car met expectations .I have owned a 944 turbo 968 club sport and currently have a 996 Carrera with GT3 aero kit, this car to me is all of these in one. The car was very relaxed and comfortable at slow speeds in traffic, but fantastic with the sports plus on and the turbo boost deployed on open roads[].As for the exhaust it did boom when you accelerated off a roundabout but soon settled down once we moved up the gears i suspect it depends how you apply the throttle.

A thought for the 6 cylinder purists the 944 turbo was as fast as the 911 back in the day and is considered a great car did anyone complain about the exhaust note.

To me this is the Porsche sports car of choice as the 911 is now a big gt car like the 928. I drove a 991 last year and its to wide to overtake with on narrow roads.This car is a considerably cheaper so a performance bargain.

I was unsure about changing the 996 which i love but after today i think will be placing my order sapphire blue PDK ,PASM Sports Chrono ,PTV, Gt steering wheel ,connect plus a Bose surround sound built for speed

Paul

 

[chrishak]

I collected a Boxster 718S courtesy car from Porsche Bournemouth today. A committed flat-six fan, I currently own a Carrera 3.2 and a 986 Boxster S and love them both as they are great examples of 'analogue' Porsches possessing no driver aids beyond an LSD on the 911 and ABS on the Boxster. Later 911's and Boxsters, of which I've driven many, have become increasingly sterile in feel - incredibly capable and shatteringly fast, yes, but somehow lacking in involvement from the driver. Most recently, a drive in a 981 (non-S) Boxster left me feeling cold - it felt heavy, unresponsive and numb and I honestly couldn't wait to get back in my leggy 986 which drives exactly how a real sports car should. As a result and with the addition of the car not possessing the full complement of cylinders, I wasn't expecting great things from the 718, despite the pitch from the service supervisor at the OPC.

How wrong can you be? The car has a feeling of lightness, immediacy and sporting feel so lacking in recent Porsches which feel more like GT's than sports cars. It just feels more alive and I absolutely loved it. It's only the second new Porsche I've driven which would make me even consider selling the Carrera for, the other being a 2014 Cayman S (I'm glad to report that thise thoughts were only fleeting - the 911 is a keeper!).

Still doesn't sound anywhere near as good as a six though...

 

[Brian_Innes]

At last, people are seeing the light!

The new 718 will become an accepted part of the Porsche sports coupe family. It just needs time. Sure the exhaust note is different, but as Paul rightly points out, no one complained about the exhaust note of the 944 and 968 Porsches. I also remember the luddites complaining about the advent of the water cooled flat 6's on the 996 911's.

Things had to change with ever more stringent emission legislation. Porsche had no other option but to go 4 pot turbo on the Boxster/Cayman.

Let's just embrace it for the great car it is. Given time, it'll be fine.

Brian

 

[Dick Dastardly]

I have to agree, when the Boxster was launched the 4 cylinder engine came in for a lot of criticism mainly from auto express and autocar. After having driven the 981 and 718 the 718 is clearly a better car to drive and also has more power and torque. Does it really matter what the cylinder count is? I had a 944 and that had four cylinders but was still an exciting car to drive.

From the introduction of the motor car we have seen a progression of new technologies. The change from N/A to turbo engines is part of that progression and is being embraced by all manufacturers Ferrari,Aston Martin etc. as the demand for higher performance, lower emissions and improved fuel economy has resulted in the change to turbos. Porsche has been turbocharging engines for years and also producing four cylinder engines. More recently on the 919 hybrid.

As more people drive the cars word is getting around how good the Cayman 781S is.

 

[rich mich]

. Does it really matter what the cylinder count is? I had a 944 and that had four cylinders but was still an exciting car to drive.

From the introduction of the motor car we have seen a progression of new technologies. The change from N/A to turbo engines is part of that progression and is being embraced by all manufacturers Ferrari,Aston Martin etc. as the demand for higher performance, lower emissions and improved fuel economy

i work in engine testing dyno lab on electronic systems(we test 4 cylinder turbo and n/a engines,and v6and v8 supercharged and n/a engines) ,i could have bought a new 718 boxster,but i went for a high spec 2013 981 6 cylinder instead,heres why ,smaller engines will make more power when using a turbo,but they are under a lot more stress,higher cylinder pressures,temps etc,more technologies more to go wrong(how long will it last etc),what will a four cylinder turbo engine be like in 10 years time compared to a n/a engine ,that old saying "theres no replacement for displacement"comes to mind.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Your comments are very valid Richard, particularly with your work background in engine testing.

I am also "engine savvy" having an amateur's experience with engine building and tuning on several of my cars over my lifetime.

I have to agree with you regarding increased mechanical stresses, pressures and temperatures of a small capacity turbo engine. Porsche no doubt have done their homework on this through the experience with the V4 turbo engine in the 919 LMP1 Le Mans car.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the complicated 2.5 turbo in my forthcoming 718 Cayman S proves to be a similarly reliable power unit.

Lastly, I have the consolation that at my age I shan't be keeping the car for anything like 10 years.

Brian

 

[MrDemon]

OPC sales seem way way down, one even said to me they had only sold 3 718 boxsters since launch that's 5 months !!!

looks like 718 sale will start slow as people pick up flat 6 cars over them.