Porsche Cayman 981

Porsche Cayman 981
Photo: Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The Porsche Cayman 981 (2013–2016): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 47 versions in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: 981

Dimensions, weights and capacity

SpecificationEuropeNorth AmericaWikipedia
Dimensions
Length4,380–4,440 mm RDW4,350–4,440 mm TC4,374–4,404 mm
Width1,800–1,820 mm RDW1,800–1,820 mm TC1,801 mm
Height1,270–1,280 mm RDW1,270–1,300 mm TC1,273–1,295 mm
Wheelbase2,480 mm RDW2,410–2,480 mm TC2,475 mm
Front track1,450–1,539 mm ASTRA1,480–1,520 mm TC–
Rear track1,456–1,540 mm ASTRA1,500–1,560 mm TC–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight1,295–1,350 kg RDW1,310–1,350 kg TC1,310–1,375 kg
Mass in running order1,395–1,450 kg RDW––
Gross vehicle weight1,640–1,695 kg RDW––
Seats and space
Seats2 RDW––
Doors2 RDW––
Performance
Top speed264–295 km/h RDW––
Torque290–420 Nm ASTRA––

Tyre sizes (most common first): 235/40R19, 265/40R19, 235/35R20, 235/45R18, 265/45R18, 245/35R20, 295/30R20, 265/35R20

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Transport Canada vehicle specifications, Wikipedia, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at testPass rateUK averageTests
6–8 years95.8% (95.3–96.3)86.4%6,025
9–12 years94.1% (93.5–94.6)77.9%6,292

What the MOT finds

AreaThis modelUK average, same ages
Tyres14.4%29.7%
Brakes10.3%24.2%
Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers)3.2%7.5%
Suspension3.1%20.2%
Lights and electrics1.7%13.0%
Body, chassis and structure1.3%5.3%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

11 complaints for model years 2014–2015.

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 47 versions of the Porsche Cayman 981

Show all 47 versions

European Union 10 versions

New cars registered in the EU (plus Norway and Iceland), from the European Environment Agency. Figures on the NEDC procedure until 2020 and on WLTP from 2021; versions are grouped by engine and power, with their number of registrations.

Years and versionEnginePowerFuelCO₂EU registrations
2015–20163.8 L283 kW (385 PS)Petrol237–238 g/km5,052
2013–20162.7 L202 kW (275 PS)Petrol184–186 g/km10,278
2014–20163.4 L250 kW (340 PS)Petrol195–196 g/km3,590
2013–20163.4 L239 kW (325 PS)Petrol191–195 g/km5,730
20162.5 L257 kW (349 PS)Petrol173 g/km108
20162.0 L220 kW (299 PS)Petrol179 g/km88
2013–20162.7 L155 kW (211 PS)Petrol183–189 g/km106
20132.7 L–Other fuel186 g/km62
20133.4 L–Other fuel214 g/km46
20133.4 L243 kW (330 PS)Petrol222 g/km22

United Kingdom 16 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2014–20162.7 Euro 6 · Black Edition2.7 LPetrol6-speed manual8.4 L/100 km NEDC195 g/km
2014–20162.7 PDK Euro 6 · Black Edition PDK2.7 LPetrol7-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC183 g/km
2014–2016GTS PDK · S PDK Euro 63.4 LPetrol7-speed automatic8.2 L/100 km NEDC190 g/km
2014–2016S Euro 6 · GTS3.4 LPetrol6-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC211 g/km
2015–2016GT43.8 LPetrol6-speed manual10.3 L/100 km NEDC238 g/km
2013–20142.7 (981) · 2.72.7 LPetrolManual8.2 L/100 km NEDC192 g/km
2013–20142.7 PDK (981) · 2.7 PDK2.7 LPetrolAutomatic7.7 L/100 km NEDC180 g/km
2013–20143.4 (981) · S3.4 LPetrolManual8.8 L/100 km NEDC206 g/km
2013–20143.4 PDK (981) · S PDK3.4 LPetrolAutomatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2014GTS3.4 LPetrolManual9.0 L/100 km NEDC211 g/km
20132.92.9 LPetrolManual9.4 L/100 km NEDC221 g/km
20132.9 PDK2.9 LPetrolAutomatic9.1 L/100 km NEDC214 g/km
2013Manual3.4 LPetrolManual9.4 L/100 km NEDC221 g/km
2013PDK3.4 LPetrolAutomatic9.3 L/100 km NEDC218 g/km
20133.43.4 LPetrolManual9.5 L/100 km NEDC223 g/km
20133.4 PDK3.4 LPetrolAutomatic9.4 L/100 km NEDC221 g/km

France 11 versions

New cars on sale in France, from ADEME Car Labelling. NEDC figures until 2015, WLTP figures in the current catalogue.

Years and versionEnginePowerFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2013–2015CAYMAN–202 kW (275 PS)Petrol6-speed manual8.2 L/100 km NEDC192 g/km
2014–2015CAYMAN PDK–202 kW (275 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic7.7 L/100 km NEDC180 g/km
2015CAYMAN (EURO6)–202 kW (275 PS)Petrol6-speed manual8.4 L/100 km NEDC195 g/km
2015CAYMAN PDK (EURO6)–202 kW (275 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC183 g/km
2013–2015CAYMAN S–239 kW (325 PS)Petrol6-speed manual8.8–9.0 L/100 km NEDC206–211 g/km
2015CAYMAN S PDK (EURO6)–239 kW (325 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic8.2 L/100 km NEDC190 g/km
2015CAYMAN GTS–250 kW (340 PS)Petrol6-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC211 g/km
2015CAYMAN GTS PDK–250 kW (340 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic8.2 L/100 km NEDC190 g/km
2014CAYMAN S PDK–239 kW (325 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2013CAYMAN BOITE AUTOMATIQUE–202 kW (275 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic7.7 L/100 km NEDC180 g/km
2013CAYMAN S BOITE AUTOMATIQUE–239 kW (325 PS)Petrol7-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km

United States 5 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxDriveConsumption (combined)CO₂
2014–2016SIDI2.7 LPetrol6-speed manualRear-wheel drive24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA234 g/km
2014–2016SIDI2.7 LPetrol7-speed automated manualRear-wheel drive25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA219 g/km
2014–2016SIDI3.4 LPetrol6-speed manualRear-wheel drive22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA247–251 g/km
2014–2016SIDI3.4 LPetrol7-speed automated manualRear-wheel drive24–25 MPG (9.4–9.8 L/100 km) EPA223–231 g/km
2016SIDI3.8 LPetrol6-speed manualRear-wheel drive20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA277 g/km

Canada 5 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2014–2016Two-seater2.7 LPetrol7-speed automated manual9.2 L/100 km 5-cycle212–217 g/km
2014–2016Two-seater2.7 LPetrol6-speed manual9.9 L/100 km 5-cycle228–232 g/km
2014–2016Two-seater3.4 LPetrol7-speed automated manual9.5–9.8 L/100 km 5-cycle218–230 g/km
2014–2016Two-seater3.4 LPetrol6-speed manual10.4–10.7 L/100 km 5-cycle239–250 g/km
2016Two-seater3.8 LPetrol6-speed manual11.8 L/100 km 5-cycle277 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.