[Porsche 718 News]

One of the main complaints with the new 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S is the sound. Switching from a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine to 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four will not only change the vehicle’s power output, but the sound as well and Car And Driver thinks the trade is worth it.

On paper, the 718 Cayman S is already better than its predecessor by generating 309 lb-ft of torque and 350 horsepower, which is 25 ponies more than what the old 3.4-liter six could produce.

There’s no turbo lag thanks to a variable-vane turbocharger and another benefit is the engine’s linear power and torque delivery. As shown by the dyno chart below, the S engine’s turbo is flat from 1900 to 4500 rpm, meaning drivers won’t have to drop a gear or wait for the tach needle before making a pass. In comparison, the 2.0-liter engine’s torque output has a point where it sags before steeply increasing.

Similarly, the 2017 Cayman S has a more linear power curve compared to the 2014–2016 Cayman S where you see a slight dip in power before the variable intake-valve system kicks in at around 4000 rpm. Some may like the feel of that power increase and the resulting exhaust note may have won over fans, but it doesn’t come as close to an ideal power curve as the new Cayman S.

With a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, the new 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S can be just as fun to drive and it’ll come with a whole list of new features.

 

[dave22]

haha like the prior car was the greatest sounding thing ever?
what a joke. Who are these people who think a flat 6 sounds awesome?

this sounds awesome
never bought a car for how it sounds
Dave doesnt get it

 

[4802]

haha like the prior car was the greatest sounding thing ever?
what a joke. Who are these people who think a flat 6 sounds awesome?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arrELslh57U
this sounds awesome
never bought a car for how it sounds
Dave doesnt get it

Personally even though I now own a 718/982, I've always thought the flat sixes when at very high revs were one of the best sounding engines around. I loved the howl they made. I don't buy a car purely for the sound either & the 982 overall is a big improvement on the 981 that preceded it. However that monstrosity above sounds horrible to my ears, looks even worse & is just about as far from awesome as imaginable. I accept that by pretty much any standards it produces an enormous amount of power, but to my eyes & ears that's as far as it goes. Sorry, but I think it's absolutely hideous.

 

[dave22]

Howl? so glad my 718 doesnt howl

 

[ZuffenHouseRules]

Note to Porsche718News bot (or AutoGuide.com flunky): please stop posting these dated early 718 'news' pieces -- they just re-hash the same tired cliched narratives without contributing anything new to our knowledge base here.

We're doing just fine without your prodding...

 

[4802]

Howl? so glad my 718 doesnt howl

We don't all have the same tastes & I see that a good thing, or a very boring world it would be. You don't like the sound of the flat sixes & you'd already made that clear, but even though I now own a 718 it still doesn't alter the fact that I found the sound of the old flat sixes extremely agreeable. In much the same way I really don't get what's awesome about the sound of the vehicle in the video. To my ears it produces an altogether unpleasant sound. You asked a question & I gave you my honest answer.

 

[dave22]

We don't all have the same tastes & I see that a good thing, or a very boring world it would be. You don't like the sound of the flat sixes & you'd already made that clear, but even though I now own a 718 it still doesn't alter the fact that I found the sound of the old flat sixes extremely agreeable. In much the same way I really don't get what's awesome about the sound of the vehicle in the video. To my ears it produces an altogether unpleasant sound. You asked a question & I gave you my honest answer.

oh was kiddin, should have put a after that statement

and I'm going to stuff that Nelson engine in my 718 when it dies

 

[4802]

oh was kiddin, should have put a after that statement

and I'm going to stuff that Nelson engine in my 718 when it dies

With the narrow, twisting, undulating & often off camber roads where I live, a totally unmolested 718 of any description would absolutely leave that car for dead. Despite its huge power, the only race it's driver could possibly win against a 718 would be to accident & emergency or the local morgue. Seriously, the roads are so twisty & narrow (with stone hedging either side & blind bends) that anything wider gets immediately ruled out & that would also hamper many a supercar as well. One of relatively few cars a 718 would really struggle against would be something like a Lotus Exige (Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious) & that's mainly because it's much lighter & even more nimble. Power alone simply doesn't work here.

 

[GregW]

While I love the sound of a big V8, or a flat 4 (or a VTwin), that engine didn't really do much for me.
Besides, I couldn't drive it like he did. I don't like jail, and I can't afford the tyres.

 

[nineball]

i think the sound is just fine, no complaints from me. sure it sounds different that a 6, and much different than my 93 targa with a set of SSIs and an M&K 2/2 but they are different animals and each has it's own merits.

 

[Porsche North]

I just picked up my new to me Cayman S manual yesterday.
The sound discussion is curious; as I am very happy with the sound compared to my 981.

The new platform and power delivery make this a whole different experience in my opinion; and the power coming in below 2000 rpm's is very much welcome to me. The sound is awesome in Sport mode.

Don't get me wrong. The 981 2.7L i drove previously sounds beautiful also, and if you like revving higher up the range thats ok .

At the end of the day I find the Porsche brand very satisfying after owning a 981 and now 718.

 

[Señor]

I gauge cars by performance not sound....Well, I need some sound, not quiet like a tesla.

 

[steven.collins71]

haha like the prior car was the greatest sounding thing ever?
what a joke. Who are these people who think a flat 6 sounds awesome?

this sounds awesome
never bought a car for how it sounds
Dave doesnt get it

Agree. 100%