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Home Performance

Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition review: an under-rated star

The German brand has introduced a retro-inspired version of 'other' sports car.

Stephen Ottley by Stephen Ottley
9 April 2024
in REVIEWS
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition

What is it?

On the surface this is a limited edition special designed to keep an aging model fresh and appealing to new buyers. But in reality, this is just another excuse to appreciate the Porsche 718 Cayman for what it is – an exceptional and criminally under-rated sports car.

Its big brother, the 911, may get all the accolades and attention (and not without good reason, it’s a fantastic car) but anyone who dismisses the 718 Cayman as the ‘lesser’ Porsche is fooling themself.

READ MORE: Porsche adds retro style to 718 range

The Style Edition adds some additional ‘bling’ to give the now eight-year-old model a fresh look. These enhancements include 20-inch 718 Spyder alloy wheels finished in high-gloss black, Porsche-badged wheel hub covers, ‘Porsche’ lettering in high-gloss silver and exhaust tips in black. Additionally, and for no extra charge, Porsche is offering two ‘718 Style Edition contrast packages’ in either white or black. These add a stripe down the bonnet, ‘Porsche’ lettering on the doors and high-gloss finish for the wheels (in either white or black).

Does it have any racing pedigree?

Porsche GT4 e-Performance at its Goodwood Festival of Speed launch

Part of the reason the Cayman lives in the shadow of the 911 is that the latter is Porsche’s primary racing car. The 911 is used on Carrera Cup, GT3 and other racing categories as the flagship sports car for the German brand.

TRACK TEST: Porsche 718 GT4 RS review

That means the 718 Cayman hasn’t done any official racing, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t benefited from lessons Porsche has learnt on the racetrack over the years.

In the future this could change, with Porsche making no secret of its plans to introduce an electric 718 Cayman and then take it racing in a new one-make series that will sit alongside Carrera Cup. This has already been previewed in the Mission R concept and technology is being tested in the GT4 e-Performance prototype.

What’s under the bonnet?

Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition

The Style Edition is based on the standard, entry-grade Cayman, which means a 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four engine making 220kW of power and 380Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual as standard, but with the seven-speed dual-clutch ‘PDK’ an option.

VIDEO: Porsche 718 GT4 RS laps the Nurburgring

While there are undoubtedly still some Porsche purists out there decrying the switched to turbocharged engines, especially a four-cylinder, it’s hard to argue this 2.0-litre ‘boxer’ doesn’t punch above its weight.

It perfectly suits the compact, dynamic nature of the 718 Cayman, offering more than enough grunt but without going overboard so you can still enjoy yourself on the road without worrying the authorities.

How does it handle?

Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition

In short – like a dream. Even in this most humble specification the 718 Cayman is a pleasure to drive. In an age when sports cars, and even some hot hatches, are pushing the limits in terms of power, torque and technology, the simplicity of this mid-engine, compact sports coupe is what makes it so special.

Everything about the 718 is perfectly balanced – power, steering, brakes, suspension and even the size of the car itself, just feels right sized. It means the Cayman is as enjoyable to drive as any sports car on the market today, maybe not the fastest or absolutely sharpest at the limit, but a fantastic all-rounder that rewards the driver every time.

Where would you most like to drive it?

Anywhere and everywhere. The 718 Cayman is a sports car you could live with. Sure, it’s not a family car (as it’s strictly a two-seater) but there’s respectable luggage space both under the front bonnet and behind the cabin, under the rear hatch.

READ MORE: Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 review

What’s the interior like?

Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition

It’s starting to show its age in places, especially compared to newer Porsche models, but overall it’s still a smart-looking premium model. This is perhaps its biggest flaw, but it’s hardly a deal-breaker.

It’s still comfortable and all the key elements are there and fall easily to hand. Of course, it’s strictly a two-seater, although even the most die-hard 911 fans will admit the rear seats in that are not an enjoyable place to be.

Notably, the 718 is a surprisingly practical car, thanks to its mid-engine layout there’s a rear hatch with storage behind the seats, plus there’s under bonnet storage (which was there before Tesla’s much-hyped ‘frunk’).

How much does the Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition cost?

Starting at $136,700 (plus on-road costs), the Style Edition is only a $4200 premium over the entry-level Cayman.

Would I buy one?

Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman Style Edition

Definitely. As impressive as the 718 Cayman gets higher up in the range, the GT4 and GT4 RS are both utterly brilliant, there’s something about the simplicity of the entry-level model that just makes it so appealing.

It doesn’t need neck-snapping power, hi-tech gizmos or elaborate aerodynamics – it’s just a quick, great-handling, well-packaged sports car that’s a pleasure to drive every time you get behind the wheel.

Stephen Ottley

Stephen Ottley

Senior Contributor
Stephen Ottley is an award-winning journalist who has written about cars and motor racing for all of Australia’s leading publications.

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