Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981 and 718)

The 981 Boxster of 2012 and Cayman of 2013 were new from the ground up, with a longer wheelbase, a lighter body and electric power steering. The engines were 2.7- and 3.4-litre flat-sixes. In 2015 the GT department produced the Cayman GT4, with a 385 PS 3.8-litre engine from the 911 Carrera S, front suspension parts from the GT3 and a manual gearbox only.

For 2016 the cars were renamed 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman, after the four-cylinder racing car of the late 1950s, and the flat-six was replaced by turbocharged flat-fours of 2.0 and 2.5 litres. They are quicker and more economical than the engines they replaced, though not everyone warmed to the sound.

The six came back in 2019 as a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre in the 718 Cayman GT4 and Spyder, and then in the GTS 4.0. The Cayman GT4 RS and Spyder RS use the 500 PS engine from the 911 GT3. Porsche has said that the next generation will be electric, and has been winding down production of the combustion cars, so check the current position if you are buying new.

Variants

Variant	Years	Notes
Boxster / Cayman (981)	2012–2016	2.7 with 265 to 275 PS; S 3.4 with 315 to 325 PS; GTS.
Cayman GT4 / Boxster Spyder (981)	2015–2016	3.8 litres, 385 and 375 PS, manual.
718 Boxster / Cayman, S, GTS	2016–2025	Turbo flat-four: 300, 350 and 365 PS.
718 GTS 4.0	2020–2025	4.0 flat-six, 400 PS, manual or PDK.
718 Cayman GT4 / 718 Spyder	2019–2024	4.0 flat-six, 420 PS.
718 Cayman GT4 RS / Spyder RS	2021–2025	500 PS GT3 engine, PDK only.

On a road trip

For most alpine passes this is the best car Porsche makes. It is about five centimetres narrower than a current 911, the mid-engined balance is easy to trust, and the front and rear boots take two people's luggage. The turbo four-cylinder cars are the strongest at altitude; the 4.0 is the one you will remember. GT4 gearing is long, so second gear covers most hairpin roads.