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My new 982 718 Cayman S PDK

Brian_Innes

Member
On the 21st December 2016, following an agonisingly long wait, at times accompanied by bouts of self-doubts attributed to the sometimes disparaging reviews of the 4 pot turbo engine, I at long last became the owner of an individually specced Graphite Blue metallic 718 Cayman S PDK. The DVLA V5c form shows the "Vehicle Type" as a 982, not a 718 as the marketing suits have designated the emissions driven flat 4 turbo model. Whatever moniker you choose to label this new Cayman with, one thing is certain from the outset. This car provides a very different driving experience from my previous 987.2 Cayman R manual. I intend to report in more detail on this topic following the conclusion of my self appointed running-in period of 1000 - 1200 miles.

The spec I have chosen is mainly driver focused with a few comfort and safety options attuned to the purposes for which I intend to use the car. The full option list is as follows;

PDK with Sport Chrono pack, mode switch, and dynamic transmission mounts
Smaller diameter Alcantara GT steering wheel with mode switch
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical differential lock
Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE) with tail pipes in silver
-20mm lowered PASM sports suspension
20" Carrera Sport alloy wheels, front 8.5" wide, rear 10.5" wide
Sports seats plus
Side air intakes painted
Rear apron painted
PCM navigation module
Porsche Connect Plus
Alcantara gear selector and storage bin lid
Electrically folding door mirrors
Park assist front and rear with reversing camera
Lane change assist
Power steering plus
Cruise control
Seatbelts in silver grey
Smokers pack
Aluminium fuel cap
Bi-Xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic light system

So far, I have driven the car only 214 miles, including a trip to Cullen on the Moray Coast on a surprisingly mild Christmas Day, where the attached photo was taken. First impressions are good. Having jumped two generations of Cayman from my previous 987.2 CR manual, to this, the 982, the upgrade in cabin quality and refinement is immediately apparent. Even allowing for my self-imposed 4000 rpm running-in rev limit, the early arrival of prodigious quantities of torque from 2000 rpm upwards, means the considerable poke of the 2.5 litre turbo is all the more accessible and rewarding.

Now, I had better cover the engine in the room.........Firstly, I absolutely loved my CR manual with it's fizzy, tactile steering and the glorious stepped urge as the revs soared through 4000, 5000, and again at 6000 onwards to 7400 rpm, as the variable valve timing and lift kicked in. It was pure shock and awe. The trouble was, this joy could not often be safely enjoyed on the public roads as illegal, licence threatening speeds were attained just as things were becoming fun. The 982 offers a very different power delivery experience with the new flat 4 turbo. It's sound is more of an industrial drone than a banshee wail, with a ECU induced pop, crackle, and bang to break the monotony. At this early stage I have been selecting Sport mode on the steering wheel dial and using the paddles to shift the cogs just as if I were driving a manual car. Picture this, approaching an intercity dual carriageway roundabout in 6th gear at say 70mph, click the left paddle rapid fire style down to 2nd or 3rd gear, throttle blipping pre-programmed in Sport mode, tuck the nose around the roundabout with the new delightfully quicker steering rack, squeeze the throttle on the exit and the car absolutely flies. No lag, no emissions flat spot, just pure and simple get-up-and-go. This car is more easy to drive by way of it's accessible torque delivery than any previous Cayman I have ever owned. I say this having owned 4 Caymans over the previous 8 years and driven over 75,000 miles in total.

I shall leave it there for now, as there are many more aspects of this new 982 to cover as I get used to living with the car. I am sure there will be things that will niggle and annoy, no car is perfect. Those who know me will attest that I am also a track day fan, and I shall be commenting on the 982's performance at Knockhill circuit in Fife, compared to that of my CR in due course. Hopefully on the same sticky track day rubber, in place of the latest evolution P Zeros with which the car was supplied with.

Meantime I am still digesting the owner's manuals and trying to get the hang of the Apple Car Play stuff. Driving I can do reasonably well, when it comes to computer software and smart phone techniques, I am still on a learning curve.

Brian








 
Hi Brian,

I'm really pleased you got your car just in time for the festive break and I enjoyed your early review. I picked up my Cayman PDK a month ago and having drove 600 miles so far am still enjoying learning about the car and how different it is to my last Cayman (2011). My early opinion is it is a great car and know I will have many years of fun and enjoyment. Everyone comments in on how good the car looks so first impressions are I made the right choice; which I'm sure you will agree.

Regards Diane

will post photos soon

 
BJ Innes said:
The DVLA V5c form shows the "Vehicle Type" as a 982, not a 718 as the marketing suits have designated the emissions driven flat 4 turbo model. Whatever moniker you choose to label this new Cayman with, one thing is certain from the outset. This car provides a very different driving experience from my previous 987.2 Cayman R manual. I intend to report in more detail on this topic following the conclusion of my self appointed running-in period of 1000 - 1200 miles.

The model is a 718, the type number is 982.

This is us in line with other Porsche's, the current 911 model being a type 991.2.

Fantastic looking car, and excellent spec. I'm hoping to get my 718 Cayman in Miami Blue in March.

 
fergusor said:
This is us in line with other Porsche's, the current 911 model being a type 991.2.
Not wishing to split hairs but I think you'll find the current 911 is the 991. The ".2" is something added by internet scribes and the like to indicate to the mid-term updated model.

Congratulations to the OP on your new acquisition. [:)]

 
Hi Brian,

Hope you have great deal of enjoyment from the car.

Took delivery of my Graphite Blue 718S about three weeks ago but have only put 250 miles on it so far due to pressure of work. My first Cayman and it's an absolute pleasure to drive, turn in and steering like nothing I have ever driven .When properly run in I am looking forward to opening it up.

Neil

 
The car looks great with that colour/wheel combination Brian. I'm sure you'll have many hours of fun!

 
fergusor said:
BJ Innes said:
The DVLA V5c form shows the "Vehicle Type" as a 982, not a 718 as the marketing suits have designated the emissions driven flat 4 turbo model. Whatever moniker you choose to label this new Cayman with, one thing is certain from the outset. This car provides a very different driving experience from my previous 987.2 Cayman R manual. I intend to report in more detail on this topic following the conclusion of my self appointed running-in period of 1000 - 1200 miles.

The model is a 718, the type number is 982.

This is in line with other Porsche's, the current 911 model being a type 991.2.

Fantastic looking car, and excellent spec. I'm hoping to get my 718 Cayman in Miami Blue in March.

Yes Richard,

But I find it odd that the 991 is badged 911 whereas the Cayman is badged 718. Some inconsistancy there, although I suppose that Porsche needs to preserve the 911's iconic title.

Maybe they're hoping to capitalise on the (4-cylinder) 718's racing heritage and plan to carry the title forward in future generations of the Cayman.

Jeff

 
I agree Jeff.

It's all marketing guff to be honest.

IMO the 718 moniker seemingly chosen by the marketing suits to put the Cayman model firmly in it's place, way behind the "Golden Goose" 911. The manufacturers group emissions regulations providing a convenient excuse. God forbid putting a turbo flat six into the Cayman and making it faster than the sacrosanct 911. That would never do!

When will the the penny drop that the Cayman buyer is a quite separate and distinctive niche. Only a few Cayman owners aspire to owning a 911. The "poor man's Porsche" viewpoint from some journalists and sniffy 911 owners did a great deal of damage in the model's early evolution.

Wish list.........I would like to see Porsche scrap the entry level 911 Carrera and free up some headroom in the model range for a more powerful Cayman range. A flat six turbo for e.g.? I'm sure it's not beyond Porsche engineering to make a flat six turbo fit the Cayman engine bay.

Meantime the 4 pot turbo is where we are now, and I for one am quite happy with it thus far. It grows on you.

Brian

 
BJ Innes said:
.... It's all marketing guff to be honest.

IMO the 718 moniker seemingly chosen by the marketing suits to put the Cayman model firmly in it's place, way behind the "Golden Goose" 911. .....

Do you think that putting the Cayman/Boxster firmly in it's place could be in any way related to the new 911 RSR race car being made mid-engined? Could Porsche have a long term plan to make all 911s mid-engined?

 
darkmatter said:
BJ Innes said:
.... It's all marketing guff to be honest.

IMO the 718 moniker seemingly chosen by the marketing suits to put the Cayman model firmly in it's place, way behind the "Golden Goose" 911. .....

Do you think that putting the Cayman/Boxster firmly in it's place could be in any way related to the new 911 RSR race car being made mid-engined? Could Porsche have a long term plan to make all 911s mid-engined?
You could be onto something here, and let's face it, the +2 seating has always been a joke. I can't recall seeing anyone use the full capacity. Surely anyone who has a young family and can afford a 911 has another vehicle (or two) for family duties.

If all 911s do become mid-engined they could rename the Cayman a Short Wheelbase 911 and charge more for it. You heard it here first! ;-)

 
Paul,

The Cayman can't be a SWB 911:

718 Cayman wheelbase - 2,475 mm

911 Carrera wheelbase - 2,450 mm

But you're right about the 911 not being a 2+2. More like a 2+2 legless dwarfs..! If you want a 4-seater 911 buy a Panamera.

Jeff

 
The 911 RSR mid engined racer for 2017 WEC GT class is a sinister development.

Why did Porsche choose to use a revised 911 platform for the new GT contender rather than the existing GT4 Club Sport racer? It's a normally aspirated class and the GT4 platform would have been the natural choice, apart from one vital element...........It's not a 911! A Cayman winning the GT class at Le Mans would be unthinkable!

Could Porsche be considering making the 911 RSR mid-engined racer a blueprint for future GT3 evolutions? For that matter they could make all 911's mid-engined and leave the Cayman range a long way back from the coat-tails of future 911 models by sticking with the 4 pot engine, thus neutralising any future threat of the Cayman usurping the 911 performance-wise. It's all up in the air as far as the direction of future road sports car model development is going with Porsche. The Cayman could be demoted permanently to an entry level sports coupe fighting it out with Audi TT's, BMW's, Jags etc. That would be a crying shame in my view.

Just my thoughts, but as I said at the beginning, it looks to me to be a sinister development by Porsche to ensure the profit heavy 911 continues for a long while to come.

Brian

 
WEC GTE class regs Normally aspirated engines: 5500 cc maximum


Turbocharged / Supercharged engines: 4000 cc maximum. 
 The 991/2 and 981/2 are aimed at different markets. The non-GT Carerra cars are great tourers with more interior room than the cosy Cayman. Why would any business with high and higher margin products want to dilute the product mix? 
 The GTE (and GT4) class are BoP which is aimed at equalising performance by weight and restrictor size. The GT4 has not exactly covered itself with glory in 2016, losing out to PDK Cayman S versions with tuned 3.4L engines until quite recently. 
 The 982 GT4 Clubsport will be turbo IMHO but we'll see when the Ring opens for testing in the Spring. As we all said 18 months ago, 981's kg/hp is not competitive and torque is useful in race cars... 
 How might this view play to 982 GT4? If I were the Porsche product planner, I'd keep the 3.8L with 400hp and a choice of manual and PDK. A choice of gearbox would take some GTS market share but would expand the GT4 market to a larger extent. 
 The WEC GTE class has gone aero. Ford came in with a diffuser with an attached car and probably sand bagged first half race performances to optimise Le Mans. The 911 engine/gearbox configuration does not lend itself to aero efficiency, hence the new RSR. I don't see the RSR defining future road going 911s, there is no overriding FIA requirement for minimum production equivalents. 


 
Motorhead said:
Paul,

The Cayman can't be a SWB 911:

718 Cayman wheelbase - 2,475 mm

911 Carrera wheelbase - 2,450 mm

Jeff
Must check my facts in future before committing to the tackle! However, the concept still holds good, as all they need do is lie about the dimensions. (Who'll check?). I hear there has been previous evidence of other manufacturers being economical with the truth recently... ;-)

 
Very nice ---- I had a CR and upgrade to a very early GT4 which has now done 8000 miles and is absolutely fantastic -- with the minor exception of a little excessive tyre shoulder wear :)

I'm so pleased that you are enjoying your new 982 ... and would observe only that Porsche are now in slightly uncharted territory.

I do understand that many cannot own more than one very nice car, but accepting that the GT4 is a very good track car, as a daily driver I've defected to an Audi RS3 Sportback -- 4wd, 5 cylinder, and as for any sports car, an astonishing engine.

The 4wd system does have quite a lot of inertia which noticeably affects the dynamics, but for me this is a road car --- in fact, almost an estate car :)

And the new RS3 is a coupe only --- so far.

All I can say is that the torque is lovely, and I hope that you are enjoying your new car as much as I am enjoying mine.

But, nobody can argue that something has not been lost (and gained) in the 981 / 982 transition.

 
Thank you Chris.

Your Audi RS3 Sportback is an excellent choice as a daily driver and to also have a GT4 in the garage seems to me to be the best of both worlds. You're right about the dynamics limitations of the Audi. Any car with the engine ahead of front axle line is compromised in the handling department. But as you say, it's a road car, not a track machine.

I completely agree with you about Porsche being in uncharted territory with the new 982. It has yet to been seen exactly how this new model will evolve within the Cayman model range. I am well aware that I have taken a bit of a gamble here, but I have to say first impressions are encouraging.

Regarding tyre wear, I had the geo all set up from the start, so I'll be keeping an eagle eye on the tyre wear over the next few months. The 982 is no GT4, but still worth checking.

So far, with only a few hundred miles up on my 982 CS PDK, all I can say at this early stage is, something lost perhaps, but the gains are already beginning to make themselves apparent. More will impressions follow..........

Brian

 
Car looks lovely Brian, hope you enjoyed the holiday period & look forward to hearing about your experiences over the coming months.

RS3 is a great car and I was tempted to upgrade my S3 but can't stretch to having 2 cars anymore so I'll have to struggle on with just the 718 ;-)

Will keep you posted on how the 718 performs as a 'one car does all' solution, so far so good, even on the school run this morning!

 

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