Many of the world’s premier sports cars are designed with their engines behind the seats (mid-engine). The reason for this layout is to achieve a near-even weight distribution that will optimize handling and performance. On road vehicles, it also provides a more invigorating driving experience because you can hear and feel the engine working hard right behind you.
Thankfully, you don’t need to spend Lamborghini or Ferrari money (unless you want to) if you’re looking a competent, premium mid-engine sports car, because there is the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, one of the best on the market at a relatively reasonable cost.
Painted in a unique colour Porsche calls Python Green, our conspicuous test vehicle turned heads everywhere. The Cayman’s shape is similar to the Porsche 911, but more proportioned, and it looks like it’s ready to race from every angle.
Bright red calipers with cross-drilled brake rotors pair well with the Python Green, and the 20-inch thick-spoke wheels are simple in design yet stylish.
Lively Performance
Turn the key, and the engine fires up aggressively before settling into a snarly idle, evoking power and confidence that extends to the driver. The naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-6 engine is paired with a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that delivers strong, smooth, linear power.
It rides stiffly as expected of a true sports car, but otherwise performs civilly when driven normally. Yet when you want to drive spiritedly, you’ll first hear a torrent of induction noise as the engine sucks in air. As you keep revving past 4,000 rpms, the sound transitions to a fierce, all-out howl right to its 7,800 rpm redline. Oh my, the sounds. Even once you let off the throttle to decelerate, the acoustic pleasures continue with a smooth turbine-like sound that reminds you you’re operating something special and highly-advanced.
Roadholding Royalty
With the mid-engine layout, Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) and a torque-vectoring limited-slip rear differential, taking turns and curvy on-ramps at higher speeds were child’s play. The steering, braking and frame are all so dialed in and cohesive that you never feel like you’ll lose grip because the car remains stable even when pushed.
Interior
The interior is well-finished with premium materials and fine stitching. Our test vehicle was equipped with optional sporty interior touches like red seatbelts, red stitching on the dash and lightweight carbon fibre sport bucket seats. These seats look great, but they don’t recline, so unless you’re a dedicated track driver, we highly recommend choosing either the available 14-way or 18-way power seats for enhanced comfort.
With the mid-engine layout, there are both front and rear cargo compartments that provide greater versatility. We wished there was more interior centre console storage space and steering wheel buttons to control the infotainment, but we did appreciate the ample interior LED lighting and the surprisingly strong, crisp audio system.
A Worthy Buy
Note that this current Cayman is the last-call for a naturally-aspirated, gas-powered, mid-engine Porsche, because future Caymans will be all-electric. Electric vehicles can be thrilling, but they lack the emotion, excitement and drama of a roaring, vibrating gas engine that cars like the Cayman GTS 4.0 offer.
| 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 | |
| Canadian Price | From $112,042 |
| Engine | 4.0L flat-6 naturally aspirated |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Horsepower (hp) | 394 @ 7,000 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 317 @ 5,000 rpm |
| Fuel consumption (L/100km)
(City, highway, city/highway combined) |
14.0, 10.0, 12.0 |
| 0 to 100 km/h Acceleration (seconds) | 4.5 |
| Top speed (km/h) | 288 |
