Latest Cayman joins 718 sibling in Malaysia. Price starts from RM530,000

The 718 Cayman is now in Malaysia, after Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) officially launched it just a moment ago at their latest Porsche Centre in Penang. The car’s introduction also means that we will have to properly reorient ourselves with the nameplate's product positioning, which puts the Cayman below that of the Boxster, unlike before.

This partly explains why the latter came into the Malaysian market much earlier than the Cayman, although there are other factors that influenced this. Additionally, starting at a price of RM530,000 and RM700,000 for the 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S respectively, it is lower than the Boxster’s launch price of RM480,000 and RM680,000. The reason for this is the current batch of 718 Boxster in stock with SDAP was imported under previous RM-Euro forex rate.

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There is a large possibility that the next batch of 718 Boxster will be priced higher (due to forex) and in-line with Porsche AG’s product hierarchy that puts the 718 Boxster above the 718 Cayman. Thus, if your plan is to get a foldable-roofed 718, this is the time.

Not to say the 718 Cayman has lost any of its previous performance mojo. The 718 Cayman still retains that turbocharged 4-cyl 2.0-litre engine that’s good for 300hp and 380Nm. The 718 Cayman S and its 4-cyl 2.5-litre, meanwhile, has 350hp and 420Nm. With the 7-speed PDK gearbox, the cars can go to 100kph from standstill in 4.7 and 4.2 seconds respectively (Sport Chrono included, of course).

[Click here to read the UK test drive report of the 718 Cayman S]

Fuel consumption (urban and extra urban, combined) is claimed to be 6.9L/100km and 7.3L/100km. Available as an option is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with a ten-millimetre lower ride height.

The interior of the 718 Cayman (and Cayman S) now sports the new sports steering from the 918 Spyder. The cluster of three round instruments, with the rev counter positioned in the centre and flanked by a 4.6-inch colour screen, remains a characteristic feature of the familiar Porsche environment.

The latest generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a 7-inch multi-touchscreen is now included as standard, offering a variety of options for individualisation, including optional Connect, Navigation, and Connect Plus modules.

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