The high-end sports car tested

More concentrated and grosser than its counterparts in the Cayman Islands and Cayman, the lower, more powerful and faster GTSs also increase the cost of entry. It starts at $ 172,700 or almost $ 210,000, as tested here, before the roads.

It would be a sacrilege to search the 269-kW two-seater in traffic or to go to the shops. This pair of critics had a baptism of fire on the closed roads of tropical North Queensland as part of the Porsche Tour at the Great Barrier Reef Targa.

First impressions

Iain: We were smuggled into the intoxicating world of Porsche enthusiasts, who actually use their cars as the manufacturer wanted.

Jules: We will get there. I brought my Tag Heuer watch and you talked to them about GT2, GT3, rear steering and all these interesting things.

Iain: I'm ready to melt into the game. The 718 Cayman GTS is a weapon of choice for a Targa Rally. It is flatter than normal Caymans and has aggressive 20-inch black rims, details and light hues.

Jules: A correct motor sport color too.

IainIt's called Carmine Red, an option that adds $ 5,000 to the bill. It is darker than the guard red of the Porsche, and is no different from the Ferrari of Rosso Corsa. Racy.

Jules: The shape of the Porsche 911 is the timeless elegance of the sports car, but the smaller Cayman runs as close as possible. These flared back arches, these subtle fins, these side air intakes and this front end are so pure.

Iain: Unlike many modern sports cars, it retains the curves rather than resorting to endless edges and novel tips in the pursuit of aerodynamics.

The living space

Jules: Great, only two places, no kids allowed.

Iain: And blessed without bling on the inside. The Cayman GTS shows nothing exceptional, favoring wall-to-wall alcantara for seats, steering wheel, doors, glove box, windshield pillars and roof trims. A subtle racy and perfect proportions.

Jules: The red seams, the seat belts and the rev counter are less subtle, but without them, it's black.

Iain: All of these options are expensive. Like the decorative inserts in carbon fiber. The backup camera in ours is also paying off, which is unforgivable.

Jules: I know that toys add weight, but Apple CarPlay, optional
The 18-way electric heated seats, heated steering wheel and parking sensors make the GTS convenient to use every day. The bucket seats are firm but infinitely adjustable to get a comfortable position for long journeys.

Iain: Key orders are at your fingertips. A button on the center console adjusts the firmness of the suspension, the rotary knob on the steering wheel changes from a sporty driving mode to another and a small button allows bi-modal exhaust.

Jules: This is the fun button. The engine sounds a lot louder with it.

Iain: It can not compete with Porsche's flat six-cylinder ticket, but having a mid-engine behind you is an extraordinary experience.

The stages of the tour

Jules: There are few cars I would trust on Targa roads closed at such a speed, but the Cayman GTS is almost impossible to believe. So planted in the corners. How's it going?

Iain: The unrecognized talent of the driver, mainly.

Jules: Last point, I checked if Porsche had not offered you a road to the factory, so leave some in the car.

Iain: That's enough. There is serious material here. Porsche torque vectorization and a mechanically locked rear differential are synonymous with incredible agility and stability. The brakes are massive with 330mm discs at the front and the big 20 inch wheels are rubber-lined Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Being mid-engine, the balance is practically perfect and the moments output are controlled effortlessly.

Jules: Good, as I hate the oversteer. It seemed so sure. I do not know why you want to go faster. I can not believe the speed you get from a four cylinder.

Iain: The GTS has a refitted intake duct and turbocharger and, from rest, it reaches 100 km / h in 4.1 seconds in Sport Plus mode with this dual-clutch car . It is a howler and the exchange of gables by pallets is very fast.

Jules: These small exhaust gases come out when you take off … the climb and the noise when you ride in the high revs … delicious.

Iain: We are surrounded by six cylinders on this Targa. I must say that in the GTS, the rating of the four-cylinder turbo is a small gap. I do not forget that because I drove some cars in attack mode that proved so agile, responsive, communicative and indulgent. You can stage it with your right foot and your fingers, all with a massive smile on your face.

Driving home

Jules: Thank you for letting me do the Targa transport steps, with what brakes and tires you left.

Iain: Hard. Incredibly, there was only a little extra brake pedal stroke after a 12 km descent.

Jules: No overheating, no squeaking. Put it back in comfort mode and the GTS is a pretty cool cruiser.

Iain: There was sometimes a disturbing nod from the back of the cabin, but a good return for flogging this car.

Jules: His personality changes when you adjust the driving style and suspension. My complaint would be so difficult to stay within speed limits, but it's so tempting to go into sport mode. A head-up display would be convenient.

Verdict

Iain: No need to have a Cayman GTS unless you use it like that, taking advantage of low torque moments, lightening direction and gear changes with an exhilarating chassis balance. A fabulous sports coupe with the appearance, speed and technical talent needed for the ordinary driver to feel extraordinary.

Jules: Over 200 km of closed road stages at full tilt and the car never complained except about all the stone chips and the cracked windshield you managed. In a way, it gives a value of $ 200,000.

Porsche Cayman GTS Vitals

Price: $ 208,890 as tested

Warranty / Maintenance 3 years / unlimited mileage; annual oil service $ 695, inspection $ 1068

Engine: 2.5 liters 4-cylinder turbo, 269kW / 430Nm

Security:

Not tested, 6 airbags, sufficient driver assistance

The thirst: 8.2L / 100km

Spare: Repair kit

Start-up: 275L rear, 150L front