Progress Report: Porsche Cayman 2.7 (2013) vs Porsche 718 GT4 RS (2022)

Cor, the Cayman’s come a long way…

Indeed – these two cars actually share a basic bodyshell, doors and a bootlid. The 981-gen Cayman (basically the better looking Mk2 version of Porsche’s mid-engined sports car) was first revealed in late 2012, and over a decade on, it’s still on sale – in facelifted, rebranded ‘718’ form. It’s had turbocharged engine transplants, and been evolved into the spectacularly raw GT4 RS. How’s that for longevity?

The early car certainly looks a bit meek next to the RS?

Would we say ‘meek’? Why not ‘perfect’ or ‘surefire appreciating future classic’? I only ask as this particular 2013 Cayman 2.7 is, um, mine. Bought in the summer of 2022 because a naturally aspirated flat-six and a manual gearbox is more fun than a house deposit. And because the next Cayman won’t have either, as it’s certain to go all-electric in 2025. But it looks positively lofty compared to the slammed, stripped, aero-hung RS, which ditches a pop-up rear wing for a swan-neck item you could detach and surf on.

But cars aren’t necessarily better just because they get faster, right?

True, and the 44,000-mile old-timer does expose where the RS takes things a little too seriously. For a start, it retains ‘suspension’. The RS doesn’t get along with a road, it attacks it. You have to stop to collect pieces of undertray more often than you need to fill it with petrol. And as a result, ye olde 2.7 is a nicer road car. Slower, yes. And less of a head-turner. But not as much of a back-breaker. And it’s that useablity that’s at the heart of what’s made the Cayman such a stellar all-rounder.

Blah-blah two boots, nice dashboard buttons. Bet yours doesn’t rev to 9,000rpm sunshine.

About 7,500rpm, actually. Sounds pleasant too, but the RS gaps it like my car’s whiny handbrake is stuck on (I checked – it isn’t) and the noise isn’t pleasant backing music: it’s an all-pervading brain-tingler that’ll be ringing in your ears at 3am making you grin, while you hold the ice-pack on your kidneys.

Any DNA shared between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

Both have that trademark Cayman ‘pivot’ turn-in: a combo of snake-low centre of gravity and just-so steering speed that feels as though the chassis is hinged around your hips. Both have surprisingly well-trimmed cabins. In the decade leading up to the RS Porsche’s made a much better fist of wringing proper feedback from electric power steering, though, and after experiencing the RS’s ceramics the 2.7’s milk bottle top brakes feel a bit, ahem, underwhelming. Must get those seen to. Anyone got an Allen key handy? I fancy some carbon bucket seats as well, and I’ve just spotted a very convenient spares donor…