The new 718 Cayman – the fourth generation of Porsche’s mid-engined, two-seater sports coupé – is now available with the new four cylinder turbo ‘boxer’ engines fitted to the 718 Boxster.

As a result, coupé and roadster Porsche models offer identical engine outputs for the first time. The Cayman derivative is powered by a 300 hp 2.0-litre engine while the Cayman S gets a 350 hp 2.5. This represents a 25 hp increase compared to the previous models yet Combined NEDC fuel economy has also increased to 34.9 - 40.9 mpg.

The 2.0-litre engine produces up to 380 Nm of torque, generated between 1,950 - 4,500 rpm, while the 2.5- delivers up to 420 Nm between 1,900 and 4,500 rpm, aided by variable turbine geometry (VTG) and the fitment of a wastegate.

This enables the 718 Cayman with PDK and optional Sport Chrono Package to sprint from zero to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds (4.2 for the S) on its way to a flat-out maximum of 170 mph (177 for the S).

Porsche says the chassis has been ‘comprehensively retuned for increased dynamic responsiveness and cornering grip’. There are stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, revised shock absorbers and more direct steering for enhanced agility, while the half-inch wider rear wheels and re-developed tyres deliver increased lateral grip.

To cope with the extra performance, uprated braking systems now use 330 mm discs in front and 299 mm discs at the rear. The 718 Cayman features the system that was previously used in the Cayman S, which in turn uses the four-piston callipers of the 911 Carrera, combined with 6 mm thicker discs.

The Sport Chrono Package and the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) electronically-controlled rear limited slip differential allow the dynamic character of the 718 Cayman to be further custom-tailored to suit individual preferences. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) also offers a lower ride height: -10mm in the Cayman and -20 mm in the Cayman S.

On the styling front, the new 718 Cayman nose has a much sharper profile, reinforced by the ultra-slim front lights above the air intakes, which contain the parking lights and indicators. There are larger cooling air intakes and redesigned Bi-Xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option.

The new rear end also has a much wider appearance, emphasised by a high-gloss black strip with an integrated Porsche badge between the redesigned tail lights, which are distinguished by their three-dimensional styling and four individual brake lights that appear to float freely.

Inside, the upper part of the dash panel including air vents is new, while a sports steering wheel in ‘918 Spyder’ design and Porsche Communication Management (PCM) have been added as standard features along with mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the 150-watt Sound Package Plus.

Available to order now, the 718 Cayman is priced from £39,878 RRP, while the S model costs from £48,834. For the first time, the coupé is priced below the roadster - in a similar way to the 911 models. First deliveries are set to begin in the autumn.