Core summary
Two-seat mid-engine fastback sports coupe
The Porsche 718 Cayman is a two-seat, fixed-roof sports coupé built around a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The final 982 generation combined a practical fastback body with a broad performance range: the base Cayman used a 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four, while the Cayman S used a 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four. Higher variants added naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engines, including the GTS 4.0, Cayman GT4 and Cayman GT4 RS. Porsche’s U.S. model listing identified the final range as gasoline-powered and offered both manual and automatic configurations, depending on variant. Production of the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman ended in October 2025, so the 982 is the latest and final production generation of the nameplate at this review date.
History & generations
The Cayman name entered Porsche production in 2005 with the 987 generation, positioned as a fixed-roof companion to the Boxster roadster. Porsche later introduced the 981 generation, which brought a new lightweight body and comprehensively revised chassis. In 2016, Porsche introduced the 718 Cayman as the third generation of the mid-engine coupé. The 718 designation connected the road cars with Porsche’s historic four-cylinder 718 racing cars. The initial 718 Cayman and Cayman S adopted turbocharged flat-four engines, while later derivatives restored naturally aspirated six-cylinder power to the upper range. The Cayman GT4 arrived with a high-output flat-six, followed by the GTS 4.0 and the track-oriented GT4 RS. Porsche reported that 718 production ended at the Osnabrück plant at the end of October 2025.
Porsche Cayman (987)
First Cayman generation, introduced as a fixed-roof mid-engine sports coupé.
Porsche Cayman (981)
Second generation with a lighter body, revised chassis and naturally aspirated flat-six engines.
Porsche 718 Cayman (982)
Third Cayman generation, later combining turbocharged flat-fours with naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-sixes.
Body, platform & design
The 718 Cayman uses a low, wide coupé form with short overhangs, a steeply sloping roofline and a mid-engine silhouette. Porsche describes the design as being defined by pronounced edges, clear shapes and accentuated air intakes. The rear treatment includes a broad visual band between the tail lamps with integrated Porsche lettering, giving the tail a wider appearance. Unlike the Boxster, the Cayman has a fixed roof and a large rear hatch, which contributes to its fastback practicality. Across the range, details vary with the trim: standard models use more restrained aerodynamic treatment, while the GTS, GT4 and GT4 RS introduce darker trim, larger wheels, additional cooling openings and more pronounced spoilers. The GT4 RS adds substantial track-focused aerodynamic hardware, including a large rear wing and front aerodynamic elements.
Engine & drivetrain
The final 718 Cayman family used several distinct Porsche powertrains. The standard Cayman used a 1,988-cm³ turbocharged flat-four producing 300 hp in the U.S. specification. The Cayman S used a 2,497-cm³ turbocharged flat-four producing 350 hp, with variable turbine geometry turbocharging. The GTS 4.0 used a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six with 394 hp in the U.S. model listing. The Cayman GT4 used a related naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six, while the GT4 RS used a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six producing 493 hp in Porsche’s U.S. presentation and 500 PS in European technical material. Transmission availability depended on the model: the regular Cayman and Cayman S were offered with a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK, while the GT4 RS used PDK as standard.
Trim differences
The final U.S. Porsche listing showed the 718 Cayman, Cayman Style Edition, Cayman S, Cayman GTS 4.0 and Cayman GT4 RS. The base Cayman and Style Edition shared the 300-hp 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four, while the Cayman S used the 350-hp 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four. The GTS 4.0 moved to a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine and a more performance-focused chassis specification. The GT4 RS occupied the range summit with a 493-hp naturally aspirated flat-six, standard PDK and extensive track-derived hardware. Porsche’s broader 718 materials also identify Cayman T, Cayman GT4 and other market-specific configurations. Availability was not uniform: the U.S. configurator and model-range pages presented one regional range, while European and other markets used different equipment, emissions cycles and sometimes different derivatives. Trim names therefore apply to the relevant market and model year rather than to one universal global list.
Interior & seating
The 718 Cayman has a two-seat cockpit with a low driving position, a central tachometer and a dashboard designed around the driver. Porsche’s 718 launch material identified the Porsche Communication Management system, mobile-phone preparation, audio interfaces and Sound Package Plus among the equipment introduced with the model. Final-year cars could combine the standard interior with extensive personalization, including sport seats, adaptive sport seats, carbon-fibre elements, leather or Race-Tex-style finishes and optional technology packages, depending on market and trim. The fixed roof improves cabin isolation compared with the open Boxster, while the rear hatch gives access to a luggage area behind the seats. A separate front luggage compartment creates two storage zones, an unusual practical advantage among compact mid-engine sports cars. GT derivatives replace some comfort emphasis with lighter materials, bolstered seats and track-oriented trim.
Efficiency & range
Official consumption figures vary by engine, transmission, wheel choice, market and test cycle. Porsche’s European technical information lists the 718 Cayman at 9.7–8.9 l/100 km under WLTP and the Cayman S at 10.3–9.6 l/100 km. The GTS 4.0 is listed at 10.9–10.1 l/100 km, while the GT4 RS is listed at 13.0 l/100 km. These WLTP values should not be compared directly with older NEDC figures or U.S. EPA results. Porsche’s U.S. vehicle data identify regular gasoline for the base Cayman and a 14.3-gallon fuel tank, with an optional extended-range tank listed by the Porsche retailer specification. Performance-oriented versions use more fuel because of their larger naturally aspirated engines, wider tires and chassis equipment.
Safety & equipment
The 718 Cayman uses Porsche Stability Management, four-piston aluminum monobloc fixed-caliper brakes and electronically managed braking and stability systems in its core specification. Porsche’s 718 technical material lists internally ventilated and cross-drilled brake discs, electromechanical steering and a vehicle stability system. Higher-performance variants receive upgraded braking, suspension and aerodynamic systems, with ceramic-composite brakes available or fitted according to version and market. Driver-assistance equipment is configuration-dependent rather than identical across the range. Porsche documentation also warns that systems such as active lane-keeping functions can be affected by road, weather and lane-marking conditions. U.S. equipment, European equipment and optional packages can differ, so the vehicle’s exact safety and assistance content depends on its build sheet.
Strengths
The Cayman’s defining strength is its mid-engine balance combined with a rigid fixed-roof body. The layout places the engine between the axles and supports a compact, two-seat shape with separate front and rear luggage areas. The range also offered unusually broad mechanical choice: turbocharged flat-fours suited the regular models, while naturally aspirated flat-sixes served the GTS 4.0, GT4 and GT4 RS. Manual transmission availability on regular versions added a traditional driver-control option, while PDK delivered rapid automated shifting. The GT4 RS extended the platform into serious track territory with a high-revving engine, racing-derived chassis development and extensive aerodynamic work. The combination of daily usability, storage capacity and focused derivatives made the 718 Cayman a varied model family rather than a single narrowly defined sports car.
A compact mid-engine Porsche whose final generation spans daily-use and GT track variants
Considerations
The 718 Cayman is a two-seat sports car, so rear passenger capacity is absent and cabin storage remains limited despite the two luggage compartments. Engine character differs substantially between versions: the turbocharged four-cylinder models and naturally aspirated six-cylinder models deliver distinct responses and sound profiles. GT4 and GT4 RS specifications prioritize circuit performance over ride comfort, ground clearance and everyday convenience. Equipment, safety systems, fuel-economy figures and available trims vary by region and model year. Porsche’s U.S. pages list the final gasoline range, while European technical pages use WLTP measurements and may show different derivatives or equipment. Production ended in October 2025, meaning later availability concerns remaining inventory and used vehicles rather than a continuing factory order program for new combustion-powered 718 Cayman cars.
Recommended use
The regular 718 Cayman is best aligned with buyers seeking a compact two-seat sports car that can handle commuting, touring and occasional performance driving. Its fixed roof, rear hatch and front luggage compartment give it more carrying flexibility than many similarly focused coupes. The Cayman S adds stronger acceleration through its larger turbocharged engine, while the GTS 4.0 is aimed at drivers who prefer a naturally aspirated flat-six and a more focused chassis. The GT4 is suited to road users who also spend significant time on circuits, and the GT4 RS is the most specialized road-legal track variant in the range. Because the model is no longer in production, purchase decisions now center on remaining new stock, certified vehicles and the used market, with specification condition and service history especially important.
FAQ
Q: Is the Porsche 718 Cayman still in production? A: Porsche reported that 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman production ended in October 2025.
Q: What generation is the 718 Cayman? A: The 718 Cayman is the 982 generation, introduced in 2016 as the third Cayman generation.
Q: Is the 718 Cayman rear-wheel drive? A: Yes. Porsche technical data describe the 718 Cayman drivetrain as mid-engine and rear-wheel drive.
Q: Which 718 Cayman has the most powerful road-car engine? A: The Cayman GT4 RS uses a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six with 493 hp in U.S. materials.
Q: Does every 718 Cayman use a four-cylinder engine? A: No. Regular Cayman and Cayman S models use turbocharged flat-fours, while GTS 4.0 and GT variants use flat-sixes.
What makes the Porsche 718 Cayman different?
A compact mid-engine Porsche whose final generation spans daily-use and GT track variants
Who should consider it?
Road driving, touring and track-focused performance
Sources & updates
Reviewed August 29, 2026. Source hierarchy: Porsche official model pages and configurator data were used for the final U.S. range, body description and headline specifications; Porsche Newsroom press releases and technical PDFs were used for generation history, engines, chassis and performance variants; Porsche corporate reporting was used to establish the October 2025 production end; Porsche heritage material was used for the Cayman and 718 lineage; European Porsche technical data were used to explain WLTP and regional specification differences. Government-regulator data were considered for U.S. safety and efficiency context, but no regulator rating was used as a headline fact where Porsche’s official model documentation provided the relevant vehicle information. Specifications can vary by market, model year, transmission, wheels and options.
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Last editorial review: August 23, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.