Let’s get one thing straight: a caiman is a type of crocodile whereas a 718 Cayman S is a beautiful sports car with much more bite!
I’ve been fortunate enough to drive many different Porsche models over the years and this classy coupé might just be my new favourite. When I was young, my mum told me never to judge a book by its cover. Well, sorry mum, I couldn’t help it when I laid eyes on this little beauty!
The model I drove had a funky blue paint job that absolutely guaranteed heads turned as I drove by – not that this car needs any help in that department.
The concept behind the 718 Cayman S is simple – it’s a sports car that you can drive every day. It blends elements of the legendary 718 with state-of-the-art modern know-how to create a vehicle that offers the best of both.
At its heart is a turbocharged flat-four 350bhp engine paired with the quintessential Porsche PDK gearbox. Compared with the previous model, the result is a decidedly more striking design, an even sportier chassis set-up and a whole host of performance, comfort and assistance systems. And, there is still more than enough power despite a marked reduction in fuel consumption.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – turbo lag. Some people are totally convinced that a turbocharged engine will fall short when it comes to power and response. A few years back, I may even have agreed, but as Bob Dylan said: “The times they are a’ changin’.” The superstars at Stuttgart have worked tirelessly to create an engine that delivers what you want, when you want it, all the time.
When it comes to the exterior, this is instantly recognisable as a Porsche. Low, sleek and wide dimensions blend seamlessly with classy contours and sporty edges to create an unmistakable model that screams sophistication and style.
The tail lights are slim line, their inner workings fashioned three-dimensionally. Four LED brake spotlights are incorporated into each of the horizontal rear driving lights. Between the two tail lights, an accent trim makes the rear end look even wider.
Inside is equally as impressive. The ascending centre console shortens the reach between the steering wheel and the gear stick, while the clear arrangement of the infotainment system makes everything easy to access.
Blending form and function is no small feat but that’s exactly what Porsche has done with the 718 Cayman S. The driving modes are accessible via a small knob on the steering wheel, which means you never need to take your hands off to switch between them.
The different modes change the way the car handles dramatically, so you can fine-tune your ride to suit your preference. Cornering in this model is an absolute doddle; it sticks to the road like white on rice, which allows for confident handling and smooth driving.
The Sport Response button allows you to achieve maximum acceleration from standstill. Fear not, it’s not nitrous, but it does give you that extra oomph when you need it – an ideal feature for overtaking or if you find a nice open lane and want to test the acceleration.
The only complaint I have is that there are hardly any suitable stretches of highway to really open up the throttle and let this baby loose. Nonetheless, I had a lot of fun putting her through her paces whenever traffic (and speed limits) would allow.
Call Porsche Centre Bahrain on 17 459-911 to book a test drive or for more information.
