Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman (982)

The Porsche 982 is the internal designation of the fourth generation Boxster/Cayman made by German automobile manufacturer Porsche. With the switch to a new turbocharged flat-four engine the marketing name for the models was changed to Porsche 718, in reference to the 718, which won the Targa Florio race in 1959 and 1960. The name is meant to evoke Porsche's past racing successes with light cars like the 718 that outmaneuvered competitors with larger and more powerful engines.

718 Boxster and Cayman

718 Boxster and Cayman / 718 Boxster and Cayman S

The 718 Boxster was introduced in January 2016, and premiered at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The 718 Cayman joined the range in April at the Beijing Motor Show. The 718 featured two new horizontally opposed flat-4 turbocharged engines at 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre displacement with increased torque and horsepower with lower fuel consumption. The S model turbocharger utilizes Variable Turbine Geometry technology.

718 Boxster and Cayman T

The 718 T models were released for the 2020 model year as more sport-oriented versions of the base 718 models. As such, the T features the same 2.0-litre flat-4 engine as the base 718 but adds performance-oriented options such as Porsche's 20mm drop sport suspension system, the Sport Chrono package with dynamic drivetrain mounts, a limited-slip differential, GT4 short shifter from the GT4, and sports exhaust with black tips, along with cosmetic differences including special decals along the lower doors, a smaller-diameter sport steering wheel, door pull straps in place of standard door handles, wheels from the Porsche 992 Carrera S in special Titanium Grey color, and Titanium Grey rear badging. It also includes Titanium Grey mirror caps, black headlight washers, black interior trim, Sports-Tex Cloth and Leather Sports-plus seats.

718 Boxster and Cayman GTS

Later in October 2017, the GTS models were announced with their 2.5-litre engines rated at. The Boxster could accelerate to from a standstill in 4.1 seconds, and the Cayman in 3.9 seconds.

718 Boxster and Cayman GTS 4.0

Since 2020, the GTS 4.0 model has been offered for both 718 models. The new model features the 4.0-litre flat-6 from the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder, however de-tuned to. Both GTS 4.0 models can accelerate to from a standstill in 4.3 seconds. By late 2020, the PDK gearbox was available as an option for 718 GTS 4.0. The acceleration time of has been reduced to 3.9 seconds.

Styling

The exterior of the 718 Boxster and Cayman is very similar to the third generation, more of an evolution than a redesign. The most notable changes are to the rear of the car, which now has a long black-trim bar across the rear connecting the two taillights. The headlights and bumper are also heavily reworked. On the sides, the mirrors have been redesigned, taking hue from the SportDesign mirrors on the GT3.
The interior remains very similar to the 981 Cayman / Boxster and the 991.2 generation of the Porsche 911. The main change is the new PCM 4.0 infotainment system, which replaces the PCM 3.1. If the optional Sport Chrono package is present, the steering wheel comes with a mode selector switch that includes a selection of Sports and Sports Plus driving modes, resulting in snappier throttle response at the cost of fuel efficiency. Overall, the most prominent design features of the 981 Cayman / Boxster remain, including large air induction ports on the side, and the prominent horizontal aluminium piece used for adding oil and coolant in the trunk.

Reception

Despite the loss of two cylinders, the 718 Cayman / Boxster was assessed to be mechanically superior to the 981 model with improved acceleration and steering, while the new 4 cylinder engine "cheapens the experience". The 718 Cayman was declared Motor Trend's 2nd best Drivers car in 2017, which praised the car's handling and throttle response. Giving the award, Miguel Cortina noted, "The suspension is just what you want to feel in a car like this—stiff, sporty, rigid. You get a very good sense of what is happening on the road."
By far, the most contentious reaction to the 718 Cayman was the sound of the engine - which received nearly universal criticism by the automotive press. Car and Driver called it a "raspy, uncouth sound that strikes some drivers as unpleasant and grating." Top Gear noted that the sound, "fundamentally cheapens the Porsche experience," and makes the car, "less upmarket, less cultured and sophisticated than it did before." However, Motor Trend's Ignition tested the 718 Cayman against the 981 Cayman GT4, and found that the performance gains were so strong the car had the capability to outmaneuver the GT4 at a much lower price. They concluded that the tradeoff was probably worth it.
The 718 GTS variant of the Cayman and Boxster received generally positive reviews. Visually, the front headlight and rear taillights were smokey black, and an aggressive front sports fascia was added. Performance upgrades included Porsche Sports Exhaust, a Sports Chrono Package, Porsche Stability Management were all added as standard features. By expanding the air intake, the 718 GTS has an additional 15-horsepower and even more torque than the 718 S. In addition, carmine red was added as a color as a $2580 option. Used in most of Porsche advertising with the GTS, the color is darker than Porsche Guards Red, and very similar to the Italian racing color used by Ferrari, Rosso Corsa.
Many reviewers, including New York Times contributor Tom Voelk, noted that the 718 GTS had a much more pleasing sound than the base 718 and the 718 S. "One of the biggest complaints of the 718 is that its turbo 4 engine doesn't have the distinctive sound that the outgoing 6 cylinder had," said Voelk. "But the 718 GTS sounds much better. It has different intakes and a larger turbo." The sound of the 718 GTS engine has much more prominent bass frequencies, which contrast with a strong treble pitch of the turbocharger.
However, Evo magazine argues that, while "capable of challenging the 911 as a true sports car", the "718 version of the GTS doesn't really achieve anything more than the Cayman GTS it replaces" and "with its more desirable engine, it's the previous model that feels more exotic and like a much higher quality product." It describes the GTS' engine as "a nasty sounding motor", the noise from the turbo four-cylinder in the cabin as "dreadful" and "tuneless drivel" and contests that "the only redeeming feature of the 718 GTS sonically is that this is probably the quietest iteration of this motor".
These criticisms were blunted in the 2020 model year when the turbo four cylinder was upgraded to the naturally aspirated 4.0 liter six cylinder for the GTS models.

718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder

The 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder were revealed in June 2019. Both are differentiated from less powerful models by more aggressive bodywork, including a lower stance, new front bumper, a large new diffuser, and exhaust pipes that are spaced farther apart. The GT4 also features larger side intakes and an adjustable wing, the latter of which helps it generate up to of downforce, 50 percent more than its predecessor. Both have a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-6 derived from the 992's 3.0-litre 9A2EVO engine, which is rated at at 7,600 rpm and of torque at 5,000–6,800 rpm. The engine has cylinder deactivation, a first for Porsche. Porsche claims a top speed of for the GT4, and for the Spyder. The front suspension and brakes are borrowed from the 911 GT3, and the adaptive dampers, ABS and stability-control programming are borrowed from the 911 GT3 RS. The anti-roll bar end links, camber and toe can be manually adjusted, but the ride height– lower than a standard 718–is fixed. Both are around 15 kg heavier than the GTS models. Sales commenced in the spring of 2020.
For the 2021 model year, the GT4 and Spyder became available with the 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission as an option. It reduces the 0- acceleration time from 4.3 seconds to 3.7 seconds.
In March of 2023, Porsche announced that 718 GT4 and Spyder Models would cease production as of the 2024 model year, however it was later extended through the 2025 model year with production ending October 2025.

718 Cayman GT4 RS

In 2021, Porsche unveiled the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the first Cayman to receive the RS treatment which is usually reserved for the 911 models. With a 4.0 L naturally aspirated flat-six derived from the 911 GT3, it produces and with a redline of 9,000 rpm, which allows it to accelerate from in 3.4 seconds. It generates 25% more downforce than the GT4 variant, through a swan-neck attachment fixed rear wing. The GT4 RS lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife 23 seconds faster than the GT4.

Specifications

Year	Models	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission	0–	0–	Top speed
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster	turbocharged flat-4			PDK	5.6 seconds	5.4 seconds		174 g/km
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster	turbocharged flat-4			PDK Sport Chrono	5.4 seconds	5.2 seconds		174 g/km
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster	turbocharged flat-4			Manual	5.1 seconds	4.9 seconds		168 g/km
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster	turbocharged flat-4			PDK	4.9 seconds	4.7 seconds		158 g/km
2020–Present	Cayman / Boxster T	turbocharged flat-4			PDK Sport Chrono	4.7 seconds	4.5 seconds		158 g/km
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster S	turbocharged flat-4			Manual	4.6 seconds	4.4 seconds		184 g/km
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster S	turbocharged flat-4			PDK	4.4 seconds	4.2 seconds		167 g/km
2016–Present	Cayman / Boxster S	turbocharged flat-4			PDK Sport Chrono	4.2 seconds	4.0 seconds		167 g/km
2017–2019	Cayman / Boxster GTS	turbocharged flat-4			Manual	4.6 seconds	4.4 seconds		205 g/km
2017–2019	Cayman / Boxster GTS	turbocharged flat-4			PDK	4.3 seconds	4.1 seconds		186 g/km
2017–2019	Cayman / Boxster GTS	turbocharged flat-4			PDK Sport Chrono	4.1 seconds	3.9 seconds		186 g/km
2020–Present	Cayman / Boxster GTS 4.0	flat-6			Manual	4.5 seconds	4.3 seconds		246 g/km
2020–Present	Cayman / Boxster GTS 4.0	flat-6			PDK	4.0 seconds	3.8 seconds		230 g/km
2019–2023	Cayman GT4 / Spyder	flat-6			Manual	4.4 seconds	4.2 seconds		251 g/km
2020–2023	Cayman GT4 / Spyder	flat-6			PDK	3.9 seconds	3.7 seconds		242 g/km
2022–Present	Cayman GT4 RS / Spyder RS	flat-6			PDK	3.4 seconds	3.2 seconds		299 g/km