Porsche Taycan vs Porsche Cayman GT4 - Which is the best?
Reader, I have a confession to make... I have not always been a fan of Porsche cars.
Don't get me wrong. It was my dream car growing up. For many years, one day owning one was all I wanted until a couple of devastating events when I turned 18.
First, my parents mocked my obsession by buying me a three-inch Matchbox toy model one for my birthday, just so they could boast to friends they had 'bought me a Porsche' for my 18th. I know. Very funny, ha, ha...
Then, my girlfriend of a year left me for a 27-year-old with a Porsche. It was a double punch. A twist of the knife. Unimaginably cruel. Some say I have never got over it...
Both events sparked an irrational hatred of all things Porsche; the mere sight of one sparked PTSD. Thankfully, the patient and kind people at the manufacturer have won me over in recent years by gently persuading me to get behind the wheel of several models and my love affair has been reignited. With the car.
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What's going on the in heads of most discerning drivers who want to buy a Porsche at the moment - when they are not contemplating stealing other people's girlfriends - is whether to make the jump to go electric or enjoy engine power while they can. Go digital or stick with analogue?
The Taycan looks undoubtedly like a PorcheWhen it comes to high-performance vehicles, Porsche has long been a revered name in the automotive world. The clash between tradition and innovation took centre stage in my head for two weeks in a thrilling duel of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and the Porsche Taycan I was loaned to test side by side. One, a track-focused sports car that roars with a symphony of internal combustion; the other, an electric sedan that silently redefines the boundaries of speed and sustainability.
The Cayman GT4, is one of the most powerful mid-engined sports car Porsche has ever made, and I'm now wondering if may ever. It does 0-60mph in 3.9secs and that rear wing is not for show; the downforce it creates is not just needed, it's appreciated.
It is a visceral experience, a celebration of the pure driving pleasure that comes from a perfectly balanced mid-engine sports car. Slip into the snug bucket seat, grasp the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and the connection between man and machine is instant. The 4.0-litre flat-six engine mounted just behind your shoulders growls to life, a mechanical symphony that resonates through the lightweight chassis.
The interior is undeniably snazzyThe GT4 is bred for the track, and it shows. You can feel the 414 horsepower and 309lb-ft of torque propelling you along the road from behind. The manual transmission, a rare gem in the world of modern sports cars, provides an engaging and tactile driving experience. Every gear change is a deliberate action, an ode to the enthusiast who relishes the connection with the road.
Precision is the name of the game for the Cayman GT4. The chassis dynamics are finely tuned, allowing for exceptional cornering capabilities. The adaptive suspension, sharp steering, and aerodynamic enhancements keep the car glued to the asphalt, instilling confidence in the driver to push the limits on both road and track.
The design is unmistakably Porsche - sleek, aerodynamic, and purposeful. The GT4's low-slung profile and aggressive lines not only contribute to its aesthetic appeal but also enhance its aerodynamic efficiency. The large rear wing not only looks menacing but serves a crucial role in keeping the rear tires firmly planted during high-speed maneuvers.
The issue is the Cayman feels more like a PorscheTo sum it up, Obi-Wan Kenobi would have described the GT4 as a more elegant weapon for a more civilised age. I think it's a modern classic, and it's a damned shame they only made 2,500 of them priced from £81,700.
Enter the Taycan, a departure from tradition and a leap into the future. The Taycan is Porsche's foray into electric performance, and it's no slouch in the speed department.
Beneath the sleek exterior lies an electric powertrain that delivers instant torque. The Taycan Turbo S, the top-tier variant, boasts a mind-boggling 750 horsepower and 774lb-ft of torque. The result is a 0-60 mph sprint in a mere 2.8 seconds - an electric shock to the system that challenges the very definition of sports sedan performance.
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Unlike the Cayman GT4's mechanical symphony, the Taycan provides a different kind of sensory experience. The near-silent acceleration is accompanied only by the whirr of electric motors, creating an otherworldly driving experience. Thanks to the low center of gravity afforded by the floor-mounted battery, the Taycan corners with impressive stability, defying the expectations often associated with electric vehicles.
The Cayman's beauty is undeniableStep inside the Taycan, and you're greeted by a luxurious interior that seamlessly blends modern design with classic Porsche elements. The infotainment system is state-of-the-art, featuring multiple touchscreens and an array of digital displays. The Taycan is not just a performance car; it's a tech-laden luxury sedan that happens to be emissions-free.
If you were making the choice between the two cars then there's a clear winner with the Taycan starting from £79,2000 and the Cayman setting you back a cool £125,499.
But I'm sorry to say that In the clash between the Cayman GT4 and the Taycan, there is no clear winner - only two distinct expressions of Porsche's commitment to performance and innovation. The Cayman GT4 caters to the purists, those who crave the raw connection with the road and the symphony of a high-revving flat-six engine. On the other hand, the Taycan challenges preconceptions, proving that electric power can coexist with speed, luxury, and the unmistakable spirit of a Porsche.
And the lush interior is second to noneIn the end, the choice between the Cayman GT4 and the Taycan boils down to personal preference. Do you yearn for the roar of a traditional engine, the tactile engagement of a manual gearbox, and the visceral thrill of a track-ready sports car? Or are you ready to embrace the silent revolution, where instant electric torque and cutting-edge technology redefine the boundaries of what a Porsche can be? Whichever path you choose, one thing is certain - you're in for a driving experience that only Porsche can deliver.
But if you have read this far, you may think that is something of a cop out. So I am going to tell you bluntly which I would buy. And here's my answer...
The Taycan is easily the classiest EV I've driven to date, I can't compare this to driving the Cayman, they are just the same, but different. The Taycan is like driving a spaceship. And I have always wanted to pilot one of those. But I think, if forced to choose, I would put that dream off for longer, and put all my money on buying a GT4.
The more electric cars I drive, the more I realise I may well look back at this period of my life and think myself extremely fortunate to have had the chance of drive such immense petrol driven cars while I could. There's more personality to them. The throb of the engine makes them feel more powerful. They sound more real. There's more to fall in love with. Porsches, after all some say, can be more reliable than girlfriends...
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