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In the past three years, we've seen wild new versions of Porsche's 911, 718 Boxster and Cayman, and even the Macan crossover. But what about the mid-range models? In 2015, Porsche launched a pair of new entry-level 718 sports car variants. It was one with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and another with a six-cylinder. With the Macan now offering V6 engines and its large hybrid options, it made sense for Porsche to endow the smaller 718 models with similar powerplants. The resulting performance variants of each car proved so popular that a few years ago, both were re-released in updated S forms. These latest editions are lighter, faster, and more refined than their predecessors; they're now the fastest Porsches ever made. Let's dive into everything you need to know...

Porsche 718 Cayman

The Cayman is the larger of the 718 twins. It's also the more sporting of the pair. It's named after the original Cayman, a limited-edition Boxster coupe from 2005 stripped out for track use. The new model is a more dedicated sports car than the standard 718 Boxster, but it isn't quite as extreme as the stripped-out, purely-for-driving 718 Spyder. The Cayman's engine is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged six-cylinder unit. It's a larger motor than the base 718's 2.0-liter four, and it's mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard. There's also an optional PDK dual-clutch unit that significantly shortens the car's zero-to-60 time. The Cayman S also features a limited-slip differential that can be switched to an 'active' mode to improve cornering. The Cayman S also gets an electronically controlled suspension that can be switched between normal, sport, and track modes.

Porsche 718 Boxster

The standard 718 Boxster is the entry-level variant of Porsche's mid-engined sports cars. Unlike the Cayman, the Boxster's engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo. This motor is less powerful than the Cayman's, but it's still more than enough to make the 718 Boxster a fun car to drive. The Boxster S is the fastest 718 variant. This is thanks to its combination of a limited-slip differential and the car's standard Porsche Active Suspension Management system. Compared to the standard 718 Boxster, the Cayman S's engine is 20kg lighter, which reduces its inertia and improves throttle response. There's also a Sports Exhaust system exclusive to the S model.

Differences Between the 718 Cayman and Boxster

The 718 Boxster is the entry-level variant of the 718 sports cars. It's powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the 718 Cayman is powered by a larger 2.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder. Both the 718 Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman are mid-engined, 2-door sports cars. However, the Cayman is a larger and more athletic car than the Boxster, thanks to its bigger engine and lower center of gravity. Also, the Porsche 718 Cayman's larger engine enables it to go faster than the 718 Boxster. The Cayman S's engine is also 20kg lighter than the Boxster S's, which reduces both cars' inertia and increases throttle response.

Performance Differences Between the New & Old Models

The new 718 Cayman and Boxster are significantly more powerful than their predecessors, thanks to their powerful engines and weight reductions. The new 718 Cayman's engine produces 365 horsepower, significantly increased over the previous model's 325 hp figure. The new 718 Boxster's 415 horsepower engine is an even bigger increase over its predecessor's 350 hp engine. The new 718 Cayman and Boxster are also significantly lighter than their predecessors. The 718 Cayman loses 110 pounds, while the 718 Boxster loses 122 pounds. This is thanks to the lighter six-cylinder engines and the use of aluminum in both cars' chassis.

Conclusion

If you want to put your car on a track or want the most driver-focused Porsche, go for the 718 Cayman S. If you want something a bit more comfortable to drive on the road. If you don't want to break the bank, go for the 718 Boxster S. The latter car is still a great sports car, but it's a bit more relaxed and accessible than the Cayman. If you want a stylish daily driver with a bit of extra grunt and performance, then the standard 718 Boxster is the model for you. The Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster S are the most powerful mid-engined Porsches ever made and the lightest. They really are something special. If you want the ultimate mid-engine Porsche experience, then the new 718 models are the ones for you.