Four cylinder 718s are excellent cars
Discussion
Nine months into ownership, I’ve come around on the 718 Cayman S, and specifically on the engine everyone loves to hate.
Journalists trashed the four-cylinder’s sound and that shaped how the car got remembered. But I think they judged it against the flat-six they wanted Porsche to keep building, not against what Porsche was actually trying to do.
Porsche’s brief was brutal: beat the old car on every metric, meet tightening emissions rules, and don’t outshine the 911. A turbo four solved all three at once, more power, more torque, better economy, lower emissions, and a clean point of difference from the 911 despite a near-match on horsepower and a better chassis. Once committed, Porsche’s engineers didn’t cut corners. The engine (350hp, 309 lb-ft, VarioCam Plus, dry-sump lubrication, variable turbine geometry borrowed from the 911 Turbo) is genuinely serious engineering.
The tell is a quote from Stefan Weckbach, then head of the Boxster/Cayman line: “a four-cylinder must sound like a four-cylinder.” Porsche’s own materials admit the four’s natural voice is rough, and describe deliberately shaping that character rather than hiding it, through exhaust design, resonance chambers, and valve strategy. They didn’t sand off the rough edges. They built the car’s identity around them.
So I don’t see the 718 S as a compromised Cayman. I see it as a different, honestly-engineered Cayman that Porsche executed brilliantly, and that most people judged against the wrong yardstick.
Journalists trashed the four-cylinder’s sound and that shaped how the car got remembered. But I think they judged it against the flat-six they wanted Porsche to keep building, not against what Porsche was actually trying to do.
Porsche’s brief was brutal: beat the old car on every metric, meet tightening emissions rules, and don’t outshine the 911. A turbo four solved all three at once, more power, more torque, better economy, lower emissions, and a clean point of difference from the 911 despite a near-match on horsepower and a better chassis. Once committed, Porsche’s engineers didn’t cut corners. The engine (350hp, 309 lb-ft, VarioCam Plus, dry-sump lubrication, variable turbine geometry borrowed from the 911 Turbo) is genuinely serious engineering.
The tell is a quote from Stefan Weckbach, then head of the Boxster/Cayman line: “a four-cylinder must sound like a four-cylinder.” Porsche’s own materials admit the four’s natural voice is rough, and describe deliberately shaping that character rather than hiding it, through exhaust design, resonance chambers, and valve strategy. They didn’t sand off the rough edges. They built the car’s identity around them.
So I don’t see the 718 S as a compromised Cayman. I see it as a different, honestly-engineered Cayman that Porsche executed brilliantly, and that most people judged against the wrong yardstick.
Completely agree, base here, I bought new back in 2016 when they came out having driven various cars including the 981s but just thought that the 718 was better. Steering in the 981 was very vague and they are now quite an old car. I managed to buy just before GPFs became mandatory in 2018 and I have to say I do quite enjoy the sound. Stock exhaust but will still backfire in sports mode if you want to regress and it’s loud. Driven so much stuff since then but ten years on I still have it. Pdk pairs so well with the 2.0T and for the money I’ve yet to find better.
At the time I was quite taken aback at the level of forum vitriol levelled at the four cylinder, as expected written by people who’d never driven the car, and the usual internet trolls from their parents’ basements.
That said for an early airport run in normal mode it’s civilised enough. The muted 4.0 I test drove recently just so disappointing, same classis which is great but mine sounded better.
YMMV of course, no doubt viewpoints will differ.
At the time I was quite taken aback at the level of forum vitriol levelled at the four cylinder, as expected written by people who’d never driven the car, and the usual internet trolls from their parents’ basements.
That said for an early airport run in normal mode it’s civilised enough. The muted 4.0 I test drove recently just so disappointing, same classis which is great but mine sounded better.
YMMV of course, no doubt viewpoints will differ.
You are absolutely right the 718 is an excellent car, it looks great, handles beautifully and its all you could want in a two seater sports car...I am of course talking about the GTS 4.0L which has the flat-6 engine.
The flat four was a big mistake by Porsche who completely miss judged the customer base who love the sound of the six cylinder engine...so much so that they reengineered the 718 to take the flat-6 and add the 4.0L to the range.
The flat four was a big mistake by Porsche who completely miss judged the customer base who love the sound of the six cylinder engine...so much so that they reengineered the 718 to take the flat-6 and add the 4.0L to the range.
Unfortunately you'll never convince those that champion the exhaust note as their primary reason for not liking the 4 pot 718s despite the undeniable capabilities and that on every other metric it was a significant step up from previous generations. But we like what we like and sometimes that's just enough.
Edited by Voodoo Blue on Monday 7th September 10:42
I've driven both 4 and 6, and owned a 6. Know that opinions vary, which is surely a good thing. No particular issue with the noise from my perspective - but I just don't like any form of turbo lag
Sure one can keep it on the boil most of the time, but there will always be moments when it'll occur
Sure one can keep it on the boil most of the time, but there will always be moments when it'll occur
I ve owned a 981S and a 718 base. I preferred the 718. Not only was it a better car, it turned more heads, and engaged more people, with the sound.
On song, the 981 (which had PSE) sounded better above 5K revs. The problem was that you could seldom get it above 5K at legal speeds.
The 718 sounds fantastic throughout the rev range.
It was a genuinely fantastic vehicle.
On song, the 981 (which had PSE) sounded better above 5K revs. The problem was that you could seldom get it above 5K at legal speeds.
The 718 sounds fantastic throughout the rev range.
It was a genuinely fantastic vehicle.
Most new cars are muted these days in the noise department especially those that were built after 2018 with GPF. Have heard a few 718 of all flavours drive by and there really isn’t much in it at normal drive by speeds.
People slate the flat4 but that’s how Porsche started out with the 356
People slate the flat4 but that’s how Porsche started out with the 356
Personally they may be excellent cars but I want a sports Porsche to have a flat 6.
I am happy to have a 4 in an MX5 though, so go figure.
Also I don't want a turbo in a sports car but I am happy to have one in a daily, but for me a 4 and a turbo is a step too far in one of these.
Everyone's different - and inconsistent...
I am happy to have a 4 in an MX5 though, so go figure.
Also I don't want a turbo in a sports car but I am happy to have one in a daily, but for me a 4 and a turbo is a step too far in one of these.
Everyone's different - and inconsistent...
GT4P said:
Most new cars are muted these days in the noise department especially those that were built after 2018 with GPF. Have heard a few 718 of all flavours drive by and there really isn t much in it at normal drive by speeds.
People slate the flat4 but that s how Porsche started out with the 356
Quite. I CBA to work it out but I'd bet that there are more model lines in Porsche history that started with a four than there are with a six.People slate the flat4 but that s how Porsche started out with the 356
No experience to contribute to the debate but the four is a historically logical entry model.
Voodoo Blue said:
Unfortunately you'll never convince those that champion the exhaust note as their primary reason for not liking the 4 pot 718s despite the undeniable capabilities and that on every other metric it was a significant step up from previous generations. But we like what we like and sometimes that's just enough.
I think you may be underestimating just how important noise is to what I suspect is the large majority of enthusiast sports car drivers.I've no doubt the 718 is a superior package dynamically, after all, Porsche would have failed in their "brutal" brief if it wasn't...
For some individuals the 4 pot engine's turbocharged torque allied to a PDK transmission, both of which have been carefully optimised to maximise acceleration, will provide all the entertainment they want, and with the minimum of effort required from the driver.
But for many, the whole point of a sports car IS the noise and the theatre it contributes to the driving experience. But also the need to wring ann engine's neck and use a manual transmission to extract the power from said engine.
For those individuals the newer car's improved 0-60 times, in gear acceleration times and top speeds, are merely statistics trotted out in pub discussions.
I've quoted the following on many occasions on PH.
I'd like to be able to say they're my words, alas I can't take the credit as they were written by a more skilled wordsmith than I :
"To me, as an averagely talented road car driver it's that very 'analogue', unfiltered feedback from the controls that gives me the warm glow of satisfaction that comes with handling something so obviously mechanical, a machine rather than a slick consumer product.
Like all the nuances in the soundtrack of a truly great engine and the way you can almost feel the cogs separating and engaging in a good manual shift gearbox, all the tiny movements of the steering wheel in your hands, telegraphing what's going on between tyres and road surface beyond a simple message of 'grip/no grip' that enrichen and enliven the experience.
It's why classics and some low-volume specials can get under ones skin so much more easily than arguably vastly superior machinery.
It doesn't make me any faster. It doesn't make me any more confident (given the constraints of road driving, either is probably A Good Thing). But it does make me happier"
Amen to that.
If you think driving around in a Porsche that sounds like it's got a flat six engine under the engine cover, but one that has two, if not three faulty coil packs, sounds better than the 981's six pot, I salute you.
But let's not try to kid anyone that a 4 pot 718 is in any way sonorous or indeed mellifluous, but if you beg to differ, you probably think the Hoover you have at at home sounds good ? and that these two sound clips are the very essence of motorsport :
Meanwhile for the 981 flat six aficionados, they can enjoy what they consider to be the sound great engines/cars make :
And compare it with noise made by the dynamically "superior" car .... :
jimbo761 said:
Completely agree, base here, I bought new back in 2016 when they came out having driven various cars including the 981s but just thought that the 718 was better. Steering in the 981 was very vague and they are now quite an old car. I managed to buy just before GPFs became mandatory in 2018 and I have to say I do quite enjoy the sound. Stock exhaust but will still backfire in sports mode if you want to regress and it s loud. Driven so much stuff since then but ten years on I still have it. Pdk pairs so well with the 2.0T and for the money I ve yet to find better.
At the time I was quite taken aback at the level of forum vitriol levelled at the four cylinder, as expected written by people who d never driven the car, and the usual internet trolls from their parents basements.
That said for an early airport run in normal mode it s civilised enough. The muted 4.0 I test drove recently just so disappointing, same classis which is great but mine sounded better.
YMMV of course, no doubt viewpoints will differ.
So far I've had, in order, base 718 2.0 Cayman (2017), 981 GT4 (2016), base 718 2.0 Cayman (again! 2021), Cayman GTS 4.0 (2023), Cayman GT4 RS (2024), and 911 GT3 Touring (2026). I bought them all new apart from the GT4, because those weren't available to buy new either in 981 or 982 (718) form at the time. Years in brackets are years of manufacture rather than when I bought them. I've generally owned 2 at a time since 2021, because they are all attractive for different reasons. They've all had manual gearboxes apart from the GT4 RS, but only because a third pedal wasn't an option for that one.At the time I was quite taken aback at the level of forum vitriol levelled at the four cylinder, as expected written by people who d never driven the car, and the usual internet trolls from their parents basements.
That said for an early airport run in normal mode it s civilised enough. The muted 4.0 I test drove recently just so disappointing, same classis which is great but mine sounded better.
YMMV of course, no doubt viewpoints will differ.
The best of all of them, objectively as a car to own, and as a daily drive, was the first 2.0 718 Cayman. The most emotive, and the one I'll always miss, was the 981 GT4.
Going back to the OP, four cylinder 718s are more than excellent in my mind, they are among the best cars Porsche have produced in recent years. I hummed and hawed over 2.0 vs. 2.5, but the 2.0 was more fun to make work for a living with a manual box. Truly loved both variants with either manual or PDK, and drove all 4 back when I was deciding.
This morning I set out early for Manchester in my wife's BMW 330e Touring, because I'm waiting for a puncture repair on my Skoda Yeti. All very well owning a GT4 RS and a GT3 Touring, but if I still owned a base 2.0 Cayman I'd likely have been enjoying the traffic in it. They really are a "do anything, go anywhere" kind of a car.
I could give more of a s
t about the 6 cylinder soundtrack if the 4RS was a little less obnoxious in high rev volume, or the GT3 Touring transmitted just a little less tyre noise. Not saying I don't love it in it's place, but I miss the dulcid and understated tones of the 2017 base 2.0 when commuting. Truly excellent cars.Liam
Edited by LiamH66 on Tuesday 8th September 00:55
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