I frequently reference the past when writing about a car I'm reviewing. I consider the model's predecessors and the brand's history. I work through timelines of designs, powertrains, and the influence the particular model might have had in a broader market over the years. Not this time, though, because the story that comes with the Cayman GTS 4.0 is more interesting and, dare I say, poignant when we look ahead to the future instead.

The model shape '718' is the last internal combustion-powered variant of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. Following the 718 will be a model powered exclusively by an electric powertrain. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this switch from the characterful flat 4 and flat 6-cylinder engines is causing quite a reaction from Porsche fans globally. 

Porsche was one of the first sports and performance car brands to announce it would produce a full-electric model with its 'Porsche Mission E' project announced in 2015. A few years later, 'Mission E' revealed itself to be the Taycan, an EV performance car that sold well alongside existing I.C.E. equivalents such as the Panamera. But now, the narrative is changing, with future models of the much-loved Cayman and Boxster being destined exclusively for EV powertrains - much to the dismay of the petrol-loving purists. 

The EV sceptics can hold their fire for a little while yet, though, as many manufacturers are producing final edition petrol-powered models with extra-special engines and a 'let's do this while we still can' approach. A prime example of this formula can be found in the form of the Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 I've had on test. Porsche's small, light, and usable sports coupe has been equipped with a very special engine variant, as found in the now iconic Cayman GT4. 

At a glance: Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 | Engine: 4.0L Naturally Aspirated Flat-Six. Power: 394HP / 420Nm. 0-60: 4.5 seconds. Top Speed 182MPH. Drivetrain: Mid-engine, Rear-wheel drive. OTR Price: from £73,300. Price as tested (with options): £81,141.00

There are many things about the Cayman GTS 4.0 that come as no surprise, thanks simply to the badge on the bonnet. In terms of aesthetics, the styling gets an almost unanimous level of appreciation from all. The driving position is sublime, as is the interior layout. I'd go so far as to say that there is a grand total of zero things I would change or complain about in terms of the aesthetics of the Cayman, and the same goes for the way that it drives.  

The Boxster and Cayman models have been renowned and celebrated for their dynamic handling and driver engagement since the first variations came onto the market in 1995 and 2005. The mid-engine rear-wheel drive format is the perfect recipe for a driver's car. As a result, the Cayman and Boxster platform has proven to be one of the most popular models from Porsche, with around 20,000 models being purchased annually for the past 10 years. 

The party trick of the GTS 4.0 is its petrol-beating heart, a variant of the engine found in a car that is unobtainable for most - the Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 is a limited-production model rightfully celebrated and appraised as one of the best driver's cars you can buy. In direct comparison to the GTS 4.0, the GT4 is slightly lighter and has some aerodynamic features, too, but what makes it so unique is the 6-cylinder flat-six engine, which has now been passed on to the GTS 4.0 - albeit slightly down-tuned. 

The engine's positioning in the Cayman is ideal for weight balance and handling; a bonus to its location is the sound it produces. A symphony of induction noise from just behind your head progressively howls when accelerating and working through the gears. On a twisty, flowing and familiar road, the optional Bose sound system becomes utterly pointless, as no music album can replicate the sounds from inside and outside the car. The pedal positioning and the crisp 6-speed manual gearbox allow you to fire through the gears, resulting in a new tone every time you shift up and accelerate. In Sport and Sport+, the engine blips on downshifts, consistently and perfectly matching the gear ratios to engine revs better than 99.9% of humans could dream of achieving. The chassis, engine and gearbox on the GTS 4.0 are a dream combination and are absolutely worthy of celebration separately from the car's overall package. 

It's hardly surprising that the last-hurrah version of the GTS Cayman is worthy of nothing other than celebration. The sheer dynamism of the model's handling and lightweight characteristics, paired with the induction howling high-revving engine, create an exceptional overall package. The beauty of the model also means that when desired, the GTS 4.0 blends stealthily into everyday traffic thanks to its subtle sports styling, something not as easily achieved in the shouty GT4 and GT4RS versions of the same car.

Porsche is a marque known for its performance-meets-practicality mantra. The Cayman GTS 4.0 is a prime example of this formula, with an ample 150-litre front storage compartment under the bonnet and an additional 180-litre at the rear with its hatchback and boot space. 

Porsche's other consistent accolade for sports cars can be narrowed down to one word: simplicity. The simplicity, usability, and quick adjustability of the Cayman GTS 4.0 is refreshing compared to many other sports cars. Driver settings are limited to 4 modes, switchable via a dial on the steering wheel; Normal (labelled 0), Sport, Sport+ and Individual (labelled I). 

Normal mode represents a sedate and predictable driving mode with suspension and throttle feel in a comfortable and soft setting. Sport sharpens the throttle feel, slightly firms the suspension, and rev matches automatically on downshifts. It also opens up a valve in the exhaust system, resulting in a little more noise. Sport+ is a level up from sport with a shaper feel to the steering, a firm chassis, an instantaneous throttle response, a louder exhaust tone and increased engine braking, making for the most dynamic drive. Individual mode allows for a personalised mode with which you can pick preferences from all modes and save the settings for your preferred drives. For additional simplicity and quick adjustments, you can switch on or off certain features in all modes; for example, in Sport+, the suspension can be softened with the touch of a button while enjoying the other performance presets that Sport+ offers.  

As is the norm with Porsche models, gadgets, technology, and optional extras almost all come at an additional cost. The Racing Yellow model I have on test has £7,841.00 worth of optional extras alone, and if I were to change just one thing; the seats, then that price could almost double. The sports seats specified, whilst exceptionally comfortable, don't offer the best hold for fast cornering, so anyone purchasing with the intention to frequently drive on track might want to consider the optional bucket seats, but they don't come cheap. The bucket seats come with a price tag of £4,166.00, and if you wish to add additional padding to suit your shape, the price for seats alone jumps to a staggering £6,250.00.

Another slightly confusing option is the steering wheel. This particular car is specified to have a sports steering wheel. The 'sports' aspect is signified by a 360mm wheel - the alternate choice is a 375mm wheel. However, there is a significant compromise to opting for the sports wheel, in that you have no buttons for audio, telephone or car settings on the wheel itself. This means that quick adjustments to volume and audio track skipping require the pressing of buttons away from the wheel and on the centre console. Strangely, there is no price difference between the 360mm sports wheel (with no buttons) and the 375mm non-sports wheel (with buttons and heating). I like the smaller wheel, but I'd really want to have some button controls, too - sadly, this combination isn't an option. 

Keeping spec and optional extras in mind, the potential spec list for the Cayman GTS 4.0 is near-endless, and as a result, the excellent value sports car at £73,300 can become very expensive at £100,000+ once a substantial selection of optional extras has been ticked.

It would be remiss of me to class any of the points above as negatives because all are optional, and each buyer will have their own list of personal preferences and priorities. A critical point is that what makes the car so excellent is the chassis, the styling, and the engine, which are all obtainable for £73,300, providing you're happy with a stripped-back and simplified sports car. For many, these features are all they might want or need.

The Cayman GTS 4.0 is a sports car that is potentially unrivalled in terms of value, practicality and performance. It's a car that will shout and thrill on a track day but then calmly blend into traffic for a practical, comfortable, predictable, sedate drive home. It's a car that could be a weekend thrill or, for others, very happily an excellent daily driver - for me personally, it would end up being both. If I were adding a Cayman GTS 4.0 to my garage, it would be a car that would most likely stay with me for many years to come. 

If anything, the Cayman GTS 4.0 has left me feeling slightly melancholy, not because there is anything wrong with the model but because of what comes next. Undoubtedly, the engineers at Porsche will be working hard on the following EV Boxster and Cayman models, and I have no doubt that the final products will be nothing other than fantastic. Still, the key ingredient to what makes the GTS 4.0 so exciting is the petrol-powered beating heart, the engine. I certainly don't envy the team tasked with replicating the raw driving thrill, the exhilaration of induction howls and the reward of exhaust rumbles whilst firing through manual gears. 

words: John Marcar
pictures: Henry Faulkner-Smith