Recently, my husband had the opportunity to test drive the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, and he wrote down his impressions. Please take a look if you’re interested.

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 Test Drive

The other day, when we went to the dealer for an oil change on the GT3, we were told there was a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 test drive car available. Although it was a short drive, he got behind the wheel and I’d like to share a brief review.

Until now, the 718 lineup only had turbocharged 4-cylinder models, but this time, starting with the Spyder and GT4, the GTS also got a naturally aspirated 6-cylinder model, the GTS 4.0.

This 4.0-liter naturally aspirated engine shares bore and stroke dimensions with the 4.0-liter NA engine in the GT3, but its lineage is different. It appears to be based on the 9A2 Evo engine found in the 911 (992 generation). To meet recent environmental standards, it also features cylinder deactivation and, although the current Japanese spec doesn’t have a GPF filter, it’s an engine that’s environmentally and fuel-economy friendly.

The test car was a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 painted in Aventurine Green. It was the first time I’d seen Aventurine Green on a 718 body, and it looked really sharp. The optional Satin Aurum wheels matched the body color perfectly.

The driver’s area is the familiar 718 interior, continuing the lineage from the 991 and 981. There was no discomfort in operation. When starting the engine, it roared with a deep bass “Vroom!” As expected from a 4.0-liter, the exhaust note is lower than the 981 generation GTS and slightly higher pitched than the 4-cylinder turbo 718 GTS.

The clutch weight was neither heavy nor light, just right. Slightly lighter than the 981, but a bit heavier than the 991 GT3. The clutch engagement is very clear and easy. When you slowly release the clutch, the car automatically raises the idle speed, so even beginners in manual transmission should stall much less.

The torque from a standstill is much stronger than the 981 GTS or 991 GT3. This makes driving very easy and comfortable. It’s so effortless that it feels like driving an automatic, allowing you to navigate city streets with ease.

Especially in 1st and 2nd gear, even if you suddenly lift off the accelerator, you hardly feel engine braking or back torque. Situations that can be jerky in a GT3 manual are very smooth here. This would also make the passenger’s ride more comfortable.

718 Cayman GTS 4.0: Sport Mode and More

After driving in Normal mode for a while, the cylinder deactivation is almost unnoticeable. Like with the Panamera Turbo, there’s no indicator, so you might guess it’s active when the engine sound changes slightly. Either way, if the driver is focused on driving, they probably won’t notice anything.

Regarding the engine sound, from startup through idle and takeoff, it’s fairly loud and reminds me a lot of the 992. But once driving, the exhaust note doesn’t assert itself much. Instead, when cold, the whirring gear noise is more noticeable inside the cabin.

Between 3000 and 4000 rpm, the engine and exhaust sounds become more prominent, but at the commonly used 2000 rpm range, the exhaust note feels a bit quieter compared to the 981 GTS.

When switching to Sport or Sport Plus and pressing the accelerator hard, the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six awakens with incredibly sharp response. This responsiveness feels 10-20% sharper than the 981 GTS.

The rev counter needle quickly passes through the mid-range and heads toward the high rev zone. The acceleration and G-forces are intense, delivering a very fast sensation. The engine and exhaust sound at this time are fantastic—truly the hallmark of a naturally aspirated flat-six. Many will likely think, “This is it!”

The brake feel is also excellent. You can slow the car smoothly with subtle foot pressure, and downshifts are crisp. The auto-blip in Sport mode feels great. The engine growls and the revs match perfectly. The blipping and backfire sounds are restrained, not as flashy as in the 981 era. Those who prefer a more refined, natural exhaust note will appreciate this.