Flat-six power for all
Topping the 718 range is the Porsche 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4, featuring the 420hp version of the naturally aspirated powerplant. Pay to have the PDK automatic in either of those and, thanks to the standard launch control function, the 0-100km/h time drops by a significant half a second to 3.9 seconds. The PDK-equipped cars get higher locking values in traction and over-run modes for their limited slip differentials, too. The dual-clutch gearbox also makes the cars more efficient, with 5g/km and 0.3 litres/100km improvements in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, respectively, to 242g/km and 10.7 litres/100km.
Bigger efficiency gains are found in the Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and 718 Cayman GTS 4.0; their official figures of 230g/km and 10.1 litres/100km represent improvements of 16g/km and 0.7 litres/100km, respectively. Meanwhile, the GTS 4.0 cars also get to 100km/h from rest a half second quicker than their manual counterparts, at four seconds dead.
What it looks like
We've only a single shot of the PDK lever fitted to the 718 Cayman GT4, revealing that it's similar to that used in the outgoing 911 GT3, with what appear to be tactile metal gearchange paddles behind the wheel. The GTS 4.0 cars, with their standard Sport Chrono package, allow the driver to alter the transmission's characteristics through Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual modes. In the Sport modes, the gear shifts are faster, downshifts are done earlier (with automatic throttle blips) and upshifts are later.
The GT department developed 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4 instead get a PDK Sport button on the centre console.
2021 model year tweaks
Elsewhere in the Porsche 718 range, Alcantara trim has been replaced by Race-Tex, apparently based on the covers used for racing seats that is 'a highly breathable structure and offers greater support.' Buyers of the 718 Spyder can now have the 20-inch wheels finished in 'Aurum' (it was only offered on the Cayman GT4 previously) and can swap the standard ultra-high-performance tyres for regular summer tyres at order time. Both it and the Cayman GT4 can also now be had in Python Green.
If there is anything about this story we have not covered, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.