Porsche 718 Cayman, Cayman S make Malaysian debut at new Porsche Centre Penang, from RM530k

Porsche 718 Cayman, Cayman S make Malaysian debut at new Porsche Centre Penang, from RM530k

The Porsche 718 range in Malaysia has a pair of new arrivals – enter the 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S, which made their global debuts last year. Now with numbers to its name, the Cayman – along with its soft-top sibling, the Boxster – is placed in a more clearly demarcated step in the hierarchy of series production Porsche sports cars, below the iconic 911.

As with the 718 Boxster which has already arrived on our shores, Stuttgart’s latest mid-engined coupe comes in two guises. The base 718 Cayman powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged flat-four engine, producing 300 hp and 380 Nm of torque from 1,950 rpm to 4,500 rpm.

Its bigger brother, the 718 Cayman S, is endowed with a 2.5 litre turbocharged flat-four powerplant which produces 350 hp at 6,500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque from 1,900 rpm to 4,500 rpm. These output figures represent gains of 25 hp and 90 Nm over the outgoing Cayman, with advantages of 25 hp and 50 Nm over the outgoing Cayman S.

Porsche 718 Cayman, Cayman S make Malaysian debut at new Porsche Centre Penang, from RM530k

Both models employ a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission which send drive to the rear wheels, where a mechanical limited slip differential and Porsche Torque Vectoring can be specified optionally as part of the Sport Chrono pack. Thus equipped, the Cayman does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 275 km/h, while the Cayman S attains the same benchmark in 4.2 seconds, topping off at 285 km/h.

In the chassis department, stiffer spring rates and thicker anti-roll bars feature in the 718 Cayman models; rebound buffer springs are also installed in the suspension setup in order to reduce front end lift under acceleration, as well as to reduce roll whilst cornering. Steering is now courtesy of a 10% quicker rack from the 911 Turbo for more direct responses.

Braking duties are handled by 330 mm discs in front and 299 mm at the rear for both models (the base Cayman previously employed smaller brake discs). The Cayman S gains four-piston calipers adopted from the 911 Carrera, with discs that are 6 mm thicker in front.

Porsche 718 Cayman, Cayman S make Malaysian debut at new Porsche Centre Penang, from RM530k

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) can also be specified, which lowers ride height by 10 mm on the 718 Cayman and by 20 mm on the 718 Cayman S. Meanwhile, the Sport Chrono pack is also optionally available, which offers an additional Individual driving mode on top of the three standard settings – Normal, Sport and Sport Plus.

When the Sport Chrono package is specified, the Porsche Stability Management programme gains an additional mode, PSM Sport. This essentially gives the driver a longer leash to play with when exploiting the 718 Cayman’s chassis reserves, while remaining active in the background should intervention be required.

All of these are clothed in an exterior revised from the 981 Cayman, giving the new car a wider look overall, with larger air intakes in front. Its headlamps too are new, here being full-LED units with four-point DRLs. The rear of the Cayman has been redesigned as well, now with Porsche badging placed in line with the tail lights. Above that is a spoiler which deploys above 120 km/h for additional downforce.

Inside, the most apparent update is the adoption of a 918 Spyder-inspired steering wheel measuring 360 mm in diameter with a drive mode rotary switch. The Porsche Communication Management infotainment system with smartphone intgration and audio interface is now standard, as is the Sound Package Plus with 150 W powering eight speakers.

The Porsche 718 Cayman is priced at RM530,000 while the 718 Cayman S is listed at RM700,000; these are base prices including duties, without registration fee, road tax and insurance.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Learn more:

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • The Saint on Mar 17, 2017 at 9:27 am

    When the 718 Boxster was launched in Malaysia last year, it was mentioned that the 718 Cayman would be less costly than its equivalent Boxster, as in most global markets.

    Guess the pricing of the Cayman now is very much due to the strength of the MYR…….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • seancorr (Member) on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Yeah it was supposed to be cheaper than the Boxster but the price hike is too much

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Swapping on Mar 17, 2017 at 10:29 am

    hmm, maybe can swap a porsche 718 engine into a toyota GT86….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 17
  • SpongeWai on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:43 am

    seriously base sport car 2.0 & 2.5 liter in flat-4 engine is ridiculous expensive price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
    • Mikey on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:42 pm

      Agree with U that it is expensive for a 4-cylinders sport car. The reason is bcos of out tax structure.

      Having said that, even if its a small displacement, it does churn out impressive figures of 300 H/P & 380 nm for the 2 liter.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Mar 17, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    actually why does the cayman costs more than the boxster? the new cayman is supposed to be cheaper than the boxster

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
    • Mikey on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:34 pm

      A boxster is an entry level to the sports car world. A Caymen is an upgrade from a boxster hence it’s more expensive. I think U already know that.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 17
      • The 718 Boxster is supposed to be the higher end version compared to the 718 Cayman, it was mentioned in all articles regarding the cars, didn’t you know that? LOL

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
        • Mikey on Mar 17, 2017 at 10:13 pm

          My apology to U & Semi. The 3rd generation(718) Boxster & Caymen actually have the same spec. One is with a hard top(Cayman) & the Boxster(soft top).

          When I said the Boxster is an entry level, I was referring to the 1st(986) & 2nd(987) generation that has the NA 6-cylinder boxer engine. Back then, the Boxster is the cheaper of the 2. Again, thanks for the update. Shalom & Cheers…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • i thought that the convertible roof requires extra engineering and moving parts thus boxster would be more expensive ?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Mar 17, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    and any option for a manual?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • That awkward moment when boxster is cheaper

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Passer by A on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Only people who could not afford it makes the loudest complaint about the price…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 13
  • Primus on Mar 17, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    In the UK, the cayman starting price is about the same as the A45, at £40k. In Malaysia decently specced A45 is RM350k and this cayman starts at RM530k. So big difference. Our tax structure is really crazy…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
 

Add a comment

required

required