2017 PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN | WP0AB2A87HS285634

Body Styles

The Porsche Cayman designated as the 718 Cayman — is offered exclusively as a two-door fastback coupé, maintaining its identity as the hardtop sibling to the 718 Boxster roadster. It features a sleek, mid-engine layout with a fixed roof, a sharply sloped rear window, and a compact footprint designed for agility and balance.

Unlike other Porsche models like the 911, the Cayman has no convertible or Targa variants. The open-top counterpart is the 718 Boxster, which shares its chassis, engine options, and most styling elements but features a fully retractable soft top.

Throughout the generation, various trims — from the base Cayman and T to the S, GTS, GT4, and GT4 RS — have retained the same fundamental coupé body type, with differences focused on aerodynamic elements, spoilers, and air intakes rather than structural design. The Cayman’s consistent fastback coupé profile reflects its mission: a focused, mid-engine sports car designed for pure driving engagement.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "718" designation honors Porsche’s successful 718 race cars from the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for their lightweight construction and competitive performance despite smaller displacement engines. "Cayman" refers to a small but fierce species of crocodilian, suggesting agility, precision, and power in a compact package, perfectly aligning with the car’s dynamic character.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

The number "718" and the name "Cayman" are internationally recognizable and require no translation, reinforcing Porsche’s global heritage of motorsport success and engineering excellence. The Cayman name effectively communicates the idea of nimble strength and compact ferocity across all markets.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Porsche 718 Cayman is offered in a wide variety of expressive colors that cater to both traditionalists and performance enthusiasts. Timeless options like Carrara White Metallic, Jet Black Metallic, and Agate Grey emphasize understated elegance, while bold shades such as Racing Yellow, Guards Red, and Shark Blue highlight the car’s youthful, dynamic spirit. Porsche’s extensive Paint-to-Sample program also allows for near-limitless customization for discerning buyers seeking truly unique finishes.

Inside, the Cayman blends minimalist design with impeccable material quality. Standard interiors feature partial leather in Black or Agate Grey, while optional upgrades include full leather, extended leather, or Race-Tex suede-like materials across seating surfaces, dashboards, and door panels. Higher trims like GTS and GT4 versions introduce sportier accents such as red deviated stitching, carbon fiber inlays, and lightweight bucket seats. The layout is clean and focused, with a classic three-gauge instrument cluster, an intuitive 7-inch or 10.9-inch touchscreen for PCM (Porsche Communication Management), and optional features like the Sport Chrono Package adding extra performance telemetry. Practical touches such as two luggage compartments (front and rear) underline the Cayman’s everyday usability without compromising its sports car soul.

Wheel choices range from lightweight 18-inch five-spoke alloys on base models to 20-inch center-lock wheels for GT4 RS versions. Designs prioritize aerodynamic efficiency and reduced unsprung mass, with options for painted finishes, satin platinum, or high-gloss black depending on the desired aesthetic.

Top Expensive Options

• Sport Chrono Package (Dynamic Engine Mounts, Sport Plus Mode, Lap Timer): ~$2,400
• Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) (Available for S, GTS, GT4, GT4 RS): ~$8,000
• Full Bucket Seats in Carbon Fiber (GT4/GT4 RS): ~$5,900
• Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-Way Power Adjustment): ~$3,500
• Porsche Torque Vectoring with Mechanical Limited Slip Differential: ~$1,320
• LED Matrix Headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+): ~$2,200
• Lightweight Carbon Fiber Roof (GT4 RS): ~$4,500
• BOSE Surround Sound System: ~$1,100
• Extended Leather Interior Package: ~$2,100
• Front Axle Lift System (GT4, GT4 RS): ~$3,800

vs Competitors

The Porsche 718 Cayman battles directly with the Alpine A110, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C8), and BMW M2 in the compact performance coupe segment. While the Corvette delivers raw V8 muscle and dramatic styling, and the BMW M2 offers brutal turbocharged power with rear-seat practicality, the Cayman remains the purest expression of driving dynamics, offering exquisite mid-engine balance, scalpel-sharp steering, and a sense of mechanical precision unmatched by its rivals. The Alpine A110 is lighter and arguably more playful at lower speeds, but the Cayman offers broader everyday usability, greater interior quality, and the prestige of the Porsche badge. Among enthusiasts, the 718 Cayman is considered one of the finest handling sports cars available at any price point.

Fun Fact

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS is the first Cayman ever to be fitted with a version of the 911 GT3’s 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-6 engine, enabling it to rev to an astonishing 9,000 rpm. This special model effectively blurs the line between road car and race car, setting Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times just seconds off the pace of far more expensive and powerful supercars.