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Boxster · Cayman · Type 982 · 718

982

Turbocharged flat-four for the ordinary cars, and a 4.0 flat-six for the people who complained.

Years
2017–2024
Trims
14
Power
300–493 hp
Known issues
6
Lightest
2,944 lb
Quickest 0–60
3.2 s

Overview

The 982 kept the 981’s excellent chassis and replaced its engine with a turbocharged flat-four, reviving the 718 name from the fifties four-cylinder racing cars as justification. On paper it worked: the 2.0 and 2.5 are quicker, more flexible and more efficient than the sixes they replaced, and the S will out-accelerate a 981 Cayman S comfortably.

In practice the reception was the most negative Porsche had faced in years, and it was about sound. The flat-four is gruff where the six was exotic, and on a car bought largely for how it feels rather than how fast it is, that mattered more than the numbers. Porsche eventually conceded the point: from 2021 the GTS 4.0 brought back a naturally aspirated 4.0 L flat-six, and it is the version enthusiasts now recommend without qualification.

Treated as a driver’s chassis the 982 is superb — arguably the best-handling car Porsche sells at any price. Buy the four-cylinder cars on their merits and their considerably lower prices, or stretch to a GTS 4.0 and get the engine the chassis always deserved.

The range

14 Sorted by output
Trim Years Engine Power Torque 0–60 Weight Drive
Roadster
2017–2024 2.0 L T 300 280 4.9 2,944 RWD
Coupe
2017–2024 2.0 L T 300 280 4.9 2,944 RWD
Roadster
2017–2024 2.5 L T 350 309 4.4 3,000 RWD
Coupe
2017–2024 2.5 L T 350 309 4.4 3,000 RWD
Roadster
2018–2020 2.5 L T 365 317 4.3 3,020 RWD
Coupe
2018–2020 2.5 L T 365 317 4.3 3,020 RWD
Roadster
2021–2024 4.0 L 394 309 4.3 3,097 RWD
Coupe
2021–2024 4.0 L 394 309 4.3 3,097 RWD
718 Cayman GT4 HaloManual only
Coupe
2020–2021 4.0 L 414 309 4.2 3,199 RWD
718 Spyder HaloManual only
Roadster
2020–2021 4.0 L 414 309 4.2 3,161 RWD
Coupe
2022–2024 4.0 L 414 309 3.8 3,227 RWD
718 Spyder Halo
Roadster
2022–2024 4.0 L 414 309 3.9 3,189 RWD
718 Cayman GT4 RS HaloPDK only
Coupe
2022–2024 4.0 L 493 331 3.2 3,227 RWD
718 Spyder RS HaloPDK only
Roadster
2024 4.0 L 493 331 3.2 3,212 RWD

Power in hp, torque in lb-ft, 0–60 in seconds, weight in pounds. Hover a badge for what it means.

Year by year

8
  1. 2017

    The 718 name arrives with turbocharged flat-four engines: 2.0 L in the base cars, 2.5 L in the S.

  2. 2018

    GTS added with 365 hp, lowered PASM Sport, Sport Chrono and Sport Exhaust as standard.

  3. 2019

    Carried over.

  4. 2020

    Final year of the four-cylinder GTS. Cayman GT4 and Spyder arrive with a naturally aspirated 4.0 L flat-six and manual gearboxes only.

  5. 2021

    GTS 4.0 arrives with a naturally aspirated 4.0 L flat-six revving to 7,800 rpm — the answer to four years of complaints.

  6. 2022

    GT4 RS arrives with the 992 GT3 engine, 9,000 rpm and PDK only. PDK becomes an option on the GT4 and Spyder.

  7. 2023

    Carried over.

  8. 2024

    Spyder RS sends off the combustion 718. Final model years before the electric replacement.

Known issues

6