2019 Porsche 718 Cayman S Review
The coupe version of the mid-engine 718 Boxster roadster, the 718 Cayman, delivers Porsche-grade thrills for less money than the flagship 911 sports cars. More than closing the top on the Boxster, the Cayman has a sleek and classy look that signals its heritage and track-ready performance. The Cayman always has been about unflappable, scalpel-sharp handling. That hasn鈥檛 changed one bit with the latest 718 Cayman. It remains a superbly balanced, two-seat sports car that's comfortable enough to be driven daily. The biggest downside is that, even though its starting price is on the low side for a Porsche, it鈥檚 considerably more expensive than the average car. And Porsche鈥檚 dizzying level of customization options means the price can skyrocket quickly. We rented a 718 Cayman S from Porsche outfitted with many of those pricey options. Although we probably wouldn鈥檛 check the box on several options, if it was our money, we were able to evaluate the more powerful S version versus the base-engine 718 Boxster we previously tested.
Porsche has launched the 2020 718 T Boxster and Cayman at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Inspired by the iconic 1968 911 T, these cars make many of the performance features typically reserved for the 350-hp 2.5-liter S models available with the base 300-hp 2.0-liter engine. These include 20-inch wheels, the PASM sport chassis that lowers the body by 0.8 inch, the Sport Chrono package, and Porsche Torque Vectoring. Both models can be had with a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK twin-clutch automatic. Additional 718 T spiffs include a shortened gearshift on six-speed models (with the shift pattern painted in red), weight-shaving features like black door pulls and sport seats with black Sport-Tex centers, two-way electric adjustment, and no heating or cooling. Other markets get the infotainment system deleted (saving another 5 pounds or so), but U.S. Sport appearance touches inside include black instrument dials emblazoned with "Boxster T" or "Cayman T" logos in white, gleaming gloss black trim on the center console and instrument panel, red seat belts, and stitching. Outside, the 20-inch wheels are finished in high-gloss titanium gray, the mirror caps are agate gray, and the bodywork is offered in black, Indian Red, Racing Yellow, white, Carrara White, Deep Black, GT Silver, Lava Orange, and Miami Blue. Porsche claims that with everything set to Sport Plus, the 718 T models will accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with the PDK transmission (add about 0.2 second for the manual). Top speed is said to be 171 mph.
鈥?Flying Lizard Motorsports is back for its 16th season of racing with a two-car effort in the SRO鈥檚 Pirelli GT4 America, formally the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class. The six-time sports car racing champions will enter a 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport with returning drivers Michael Dinan and Robby Foley, with the second entry to be announced at a later date. 鈥淲e are looking forward to again be working with Michael Dinan and Robby Foley,鈥?said program manager Darren Law. 鈥淲e had the opportunity to work with both of them at one of our events last year, and we established a great relationship. This is an excellent continuation of our customer racing program. We have been working with young drivers for several years now and have watched them progress onto much success, and we expect the same for Michael and Robby this season. Both Dinan and Foley first competed with Flying Lizard Motorsports in 2018 at the Pirelli World Challenge GTS SprintX doubleheader at Utah Motorsport Campus.
Michael Dinan started club racing in 2018, and began racing in the MX-5 Cup at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. His race weekend with Flying Lizard Motorsports was his first event with the Pirelli World Challenge and the young rookie hit the ground running in his new series. Last year鈥檚 effort at Utah Motorsport Campus was also Robby Foley鈥檚 Pirelli World Challenge GTS debut, however, Foley also came to the team with experience in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship鈥檚 GTD class. 鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to be back with Flying Lizard Motorsports and my good friend Michael Dinan for the 2019 season,鈥?said Foley. 鈥淢ichael has an incredible passion for motorsport and we鈥檙e both very motivated to make the most of this opportunity. It鈥檚 an honor to join such an iconic team with a brand they have a deep history with. I have vivid memories growing up as a kid watching the Flying Lizard RSR鈥檚 at Lime Rock Park and to now be driving a Flying Lizard Porsche is something special. The relationship between Flying Lizard Motorsports and Porsche goes back to the team鈥檚 inception in 2004, and the pair went on to win a combined six team and driver championships in the American Le Mans Series.