2021 Porsche 718 Cayman T review: Sports car purity – CNET

If I had my druthers, there can be a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 in my storage. It is a good automotive to drive with a naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder engine, head-of-the-class dynamics and significantly attractiveness. However that greatness additionally comes with a six-figure price ticket. Ouch. If that is somewhat too wealthy in your blood, however you need a actually rewarding expertise, would possibly I recommend taking a gander on the 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman T?

Optimized base 

The T builds on the bottom 718 Cayman, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine making 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Whereas these aren’t jaw-dropping numbers, they’re greater than serviceable, getting this 3,065-pound coupe to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with the usual six-speed guide transmission. Those that pony up a further $3,730 for Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox can do the 60-mph dash in 4.5 ticks. High velocity for each drivetrain configurations is 170 mph.

So far as energy is anxious, the bottom flat-four gives greater than sufficient. The Cayman T will get off the road properly and the engine delivers stout midrange grunt for capturing out of corners. Energy hardly tapers off when approaching the 7,500-rpm redline and this automotive is a pleasure to command whereas working the slick guide shifter. Throttle response can also be snappy with pedal placement that is best for heel-and-toe rev-matching. If there’s one factor that Porsche followers will knock, nevertheless, it is the engine notice. To me, it is not horrible, particularly with the game exhaust. Nevertheless it admittedly does not maintain a candle to the fantastic noise a correct flat-six sings.

Acceleration occasions and v-max numbers aren’t what the Cayman T is actually about. As an alternative, it is the general expertise. To enhance that, the T will get some commonplace chassis goodies that beforehand weren’t accessible on the entry-level 718, corresponding to Porsche’s sport suspension setup that drops trip peak by 20 millimeters, lively drivetrain mounts, a mechanical limited-slip differential, 20-inch Carrera S wheels and the Sport Chrono bundle.

All of this works to make the Cayman T an enticing specimen, particularly with the Sport Plus drive setting engaged. It activates a dime and the electromechanical steering system gives oodles of suggestions. There’s hardly any dive beneath braking and there is little to no physique lean. The 20-inch staggered Pirelli P Zero tires supply tons of grip, and this balanced dealing with habits has me hankering for observe time to securely discover the 718’s dynamic limits.

When it comes time to simmer down for routine commutes or street journeys, the Cayman T remains to be a lot succesful. Throwing it into Regular mode softens the dampers, offering some trip compliance round city, which is not any straightforward feat on a automotive shod with 35-series tires. Do not count on to unnoticeably float over each street imperfection, however small to medium impacts are principally absorbed and even larger blemishes do not actually jolt the cabin. The Cayman T is comparatively fuel-efficient, too, returning an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 26 mpg on the freeway.

Small visible adjustments

Like every correct sports activities automotive, the T seems the half. It is not all that completely different from the usual 718 Cayman, nevertheless it does not should be. The Cayman’s curvy physique traces and good proportions nonetheless garner consideration, and the one issues that set the T other than the bottom automotive are the Titanium Grey-painted 20-inch wheels, grey mirror caps, black exhaust suggestions and badges. 

Head inside and there is a barely smaller-diameter GT Sport steering wheel, nylon door opener loops rather than conventional handles and woven Sport-Tex material seat inserts. General, the Cayman T has a purposeful and simple inside freed from many frills. The seats are generously bolstered, the driving place is comfortable and there are some storage cubbies within the doorways and middle console, however you are not going to seek out smooth leathers lining each floor or snazzy trim items jazzing issues up — a minimum of not as commonplace. In typical Porsche style, all that sort of stuff is obtainable as extra-cost choices.

That is to not say my Cayman T tester does not have any creature comforts and extras. Twin-zone computerized local weather controls and three-stage heated seats are right here. Dealing with infotainment is the last-generation Porsche Communication Administration system that makes use of a small however crisp and responsive 7-inch touchscreen. Right here it is outfitted with accessible navigation that rapidly calculates routes. A Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay are commonplace, although Android Auto nonetheless is not supported. The motive force-assistant tech menu is restricted to a $700 blind-spot monitoring system and $1,670 adaptive cruise management system, with the latter solely supplied on PDK-equipped automobiles.

How I might spec it

Given the performance-focused mission of the Cayman T — which begins at $70,250, together with $1,350 for vacation spot — I would not go too loopy including choices when constructing my best mannequin. I might throw in a no-cost white paint job on it that’d distinction properly with the black facet strips, grey wheels and mirror caps. As attractive because the $7,410 carbon ceramic brakes can be for observe operating, I might forgo these to maintain price in examine and since the usual metal clampers are greater than ample for spirited avenue driving. Selecting the $140 16.9-gallon gasoline tank as a substitute of the usual 14.2-gallon unit gives extra driving vary and the $700 blind-spot monitoring system provides peace of thoughts. That brings my best automotive to $71,090, which barely undercuts the $72,710 price ticket of the automotive pictured right here.

A pure sports activities automotive

As a lot as I like the Cayman GT4, I by no means as soon as discovered myself tired of the Cayman T. Exterior of the less-than-ideal engine notice, it is tough to seek out one thing to dislike concerning the T from a efficiency standpoint. There’s sufficient energy to maintain issues fascinating throughout spirited drives, the chassis presents supreme steadiness, it seems nice and, most significantly, it is a automotive that is pure, involving and actually a blast to wheel round.

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