{"id":37566,"date":"2020-11-26T06:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T21:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37566"},"modified":"2021-06-01T23:26:47","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T14:26:47","slug":"718-cayman-gts-4-0-testrive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/718-cayman-gts-4-0-testrive\/","title":{"rendered":"718 Cayman GTS 4.0 Review: A 981 Boxster GTS and 991 GT3 Owner\u2019s Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

The other day, my husband had the opportunity to test-drive a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and wrote up his impressions. We hope you enjoy reading them.<\/p>\n

Test-Driving the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0<\/h3>\n

The other day, I took my GT3 to the dealership for an oil change and was told they had a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 available for a test drive<\/strong>. I jumped at the chance. My drive was brief, but here are my first impressions.<\/p>\n

Until now, the 718 lineup had consisted exclusively of turbocharged four-cylinder models. Now, following the launch of the Spyder and GT4, the GTS has also gained a naturally aspirated six-cylinder model: the GTS 4.0<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This 4.0-liter naturally aspirated engine shares its bore and stroke with the 4.0-liter NA engine in the GT3, but the two appear to come from different lineages. The GTS 4.0 unit is reportedly based on the 9A2 Evo engine used in the 911 (992 generation). It also features cylinder deactivation to meet recent emissions standards. The Japanese-market version does not currently have a GPF, but the engine is still designed to deliver better emissions and fuel efficiency.<\/p>\n

The test car was a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 finished in Aventurine Green.<\/strong> It was my first time seeing that color on a 718, and it looks fantastic. The optional Satin Aurum wheels also complement the body color beautifully.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

\"Porsche<\/p>\n

The cockpit felt familiar, with the same interior lineage as the 991 and 981. Everything was easy to operate, with no awkward surprises. When I started the engine, it gave a deep, throaty \u201cvroom.\u201d With four liters of displacement, it has a lower exhaust note than the 981-generation GTS, but a slightly higher pitch than the four-cylinder turbo 718 GTS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The clutch felt just right\u2014not too heavy, not too light. It\u2019s a little lighter than the 981\u2019s, but slightly heavier than the 991 GT3\u2019s. The bite point is easy to read, making it simple to operate.<\/strong> Ease the clutch up slowly, and the car automatically raises the idle speed to help you pull away. Even new manual-transmission drivers should find it much easier to avoid stalling.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

Pulling away, the GTS 4.0 has far more low-end torque than either the 981 GTS or the 991 GT3.<\/strong> That makes it incredibly easy to drive. It\u2019s so effortless that it almost feels like driving an automatic, letting you flow freely through the city.<\/p>\n

Even if you suddenly lift off the throttle in first or second gear, there\u2019s little noticeable engine braking or driveline backlash. Situations that can make a manual GT3 feel jerky are handled smoothly here. Passengers should find the ride more comfortable, too.<\/p>\n

718 Cayman GTS 4.0: Sport Mode and More<\/h3>\n

I spent some time driving in Normal mode, and the cylinder deactivation was almost impossible to detect.<\/strong> It was much the same in the Panamera Turbo. There\u2019s no specific indicator, so you might suspect the system is working when the engine note changes slightly. Either way, I doubt drivers will notice anything as they go about their drive.<\/p>\n

As for the engine sound, it\u2019s fairly loud at startup and idle, and reminds me a lot of the 992<\/strong>. Once you\u2019re moving, though, the exhaust note becomes less prominent. When the engine is cold, the whine of the gears is more noticeable in the cabin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Around 3,000 to 4,000 rpm, the engine and exhaust make their presence felt. But in the 2,000-rpm range\u2014where you\u2019re likely to spend much of your time\u2014the exhaust sounds a little subdued compared with the 981 GTS.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

Switch to Sport or Sport Plus and give the throttle a good push, and the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six wakes up with razor-sharp response. I\u2019d say it feels 10 to 20 percent sharper than the 981 GTS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The rev-counter needle quickly sweeps through the midrange and charges toward the redline. The acceleration and the G-forces are substantial, delivering a seriously fast, thrilling surge. The engine and exhaust sound fantastic at this point\u2014just what you\u2019d expect from a naturally aspirated flat-six. \u201cThis is what it\u2019s all about!<\/strong>\u201d will surely be the reaction for many drivers.<\/p>\n

The brakes feel excellent, too.<\/strong> A little pressure on the pedal smoothly sheds speed, setting you up for a downshift. The automatic rev-matching in Sport mode is a joy: the engine gives a quick \u201cvroom\u201d and the revs line up beautifully. The rev-matching blips and afterfire sounds are restrained, without the dramatic theatrics of the 981 generation.<\/strong> Drivers who prefer a more refined, natural exhaust note are likely to appreciate that character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next page \u2192 718 Cayman GTS 4.0: Engine, ride comfort, and final thoughts\u2026<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

718 Cayman GTS 4.0: Engine Character and Ride Comfort<\/h3>\n

A quick comparison of the engine: how does the GTS 4.0 feel compared with the GT3\u2019s naturally aspirated 4.0-liter engine, which shares the same bore and stroke? The short answer: they feel very different.<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, the GTS 4.0 has more muscle at low revs. It\u2019s far easier to drive and manage around town. The GT3\u2019s engine has a strong mechanical edge, with a powerful, crisp sound that seems to burst out with a \u201cka-pow.\u201d By contrast, the GTS 4.0\u2019s sound is more exhaust-led than mechanical, with a touch of rhythm to it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The biggest difference is at high rpm.<\/strong> The GTS 4.0 engine revs freely\u2014extremely freely, in fact\u2014but the GT3\u2019s revs climb faster and faster as the needle rises. It can even feel a little intimidating.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where the GT3 really shows what it can do.<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t get much of a chance to explore the handling, but it felt broadly in keeping with the other 718 models.<\/strong> As with those cars, it has a more planted feel than the 981, especially at the rear, which feels reassuringly settled.<\/p>\n

One other thing worth mentioning: the GTS 4.0\u2019s ride comfort is remarkably good.<\/strong> From the moment you set off, the ride feels supple yet composed, with none of the fidgetiness you might expect around town.<\/p>\n

Of the Porsches I\u2019ve driven recently, this may have one of the best rides\u2014easily among the top two.<\/strong> The suspension is certainly firm, but it feels as though the car is riding on high-quality rubber bushings. Yet there\u2019s no excessive softness or float, so it never feels unsettled. The suspension is excellent.<\/p>\n

The GTS badge might lead you to expect a harder, more aggressive setup, but the previous-generation 981 GTS was also surprisingly comfortable.<\/strong> Add in the approachable engine and transmission, and in terms of its overall character, a name like \u201cS Plus\u201d might describe this GTS 4.0 better than \u201cGTS.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"718<\/p>\n

After driving the GTS 4.0, my biggest takeaway was this: if you\u2019re buying a Porsche for the first time, I\u2019d wholeheartedly recommend it. It brings together so many of the best things about today\u2019s Porsches in one package.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Think of it as a special seasonal menu at a high-end restaurant: made with plenty of popular ingredients and balanced to appeal to a wide range of tastes.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re after something with a little more spice, there\u2019s always the Spyder and GT4.<\/p>\n

Porsche has delivered exactly what so many drivers have been asking for: a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine, a mid-engine layout, plenty of power, a captivating sound, predictable handling, and everyday usability. The GTS 4.0 has it all\u2014and I think it\u2019s a terrific car.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The other day, my husband had the opportunity to test-drive a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and wrote up his impressions. We hope you enjoy reading them. Test-Driving the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 The other day, I took my GT3 to the dealership for an oil change and was told they had a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 available for a test drive. I jumped at the chance. My drive was brief, but here are my...","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":20655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=20452","footnotes":""},"categories":[72,60],"tags":[183,186,195,197,201,219],"class_list":["post-37566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-testdrive","category-aboutcayman","tag-porsche-911","tag-porsche-cayman","tag-porsche-report","tag-gts","tag-porsche-gt3","tag-219","en-US"],"yoast_head":"718 Cayman GTS 4.0 Review: A 981 Boxster GTS and 991 GT3 Owner\u2019s Perspective - \u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f - \u30aa\u30fc\u30ca\u30fc\u30ba\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Considering Porsche ownership? 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