The Last of the Naturally Aspiring Flat‑Sixes—A Legend Concluded
The 2016 Cayman S belongs to the 981 generation (2012–2016), the final series to feature naturally aspirated flat‑six engines—a hallmark of Porsche’s heritage—before the switch to turbocharged flat‑fours in the 718 lineup.
carmagazine.co.uk+7yourcar360.com+7reddit.com+7.
Indeed, enthusiasts confirm: “The 981 Cayman S is the last gen NA flat 6 Cayman” reddit.com.
This makes the 2016 Cayman S not just a sports car, but the swan song of a beloved engine layout.
⚙️ Power, Performance & Precision
Powered by a 3.4 L MA1‑series flat‑six, outputting 325 hp and 273 lb‑ft of torqueen.wikipedia.org+1porscheclubgb.com+1.
Acceleration: 0–60 mph in as quick as 4.5 s (PDK) or ~4.6 with manualen.wikipedia.org+15yourcar360.com+15caymanoc.com+15.
Fuel efficiency remains strong for its category—around 24 mpg combined—while still delivering thrilling performance the-sun.com+3edmunds.com+3edmunds.com+3.
Its mid‑engine design delivers near‑perfect balance and razor‑sharp handling, achieving 47/53 front/rear weight distribution yourcar360.com.
🧩 Chassis & Dynamics
The 981 series introduced a significantly stiffer and lighter chassis—40% more torsionally rigid, longer wheelbase (+60 mm), wider track (+40 mm front, +18 mm rear), and ~35 kg weight reductiontopgear.com+15supercars.net+15en.wikipedia.org+15.
Equipped with electro‑mechanical steering finely tuned to deliver precise feedback .
Option packages such as PASM (adaptive suspension), Sport Chrono, and high-end brakes (911‑sourced discs) further refine poise and control en.wikipedia.org+12yourcar360.com+12porscheclubgb.com+12.
🎧 The Sensory Experience
The naturally aspirated flat‑six revs smoothly to 7,400 rpm, offering a visceral, linear power delivery that is “thrilling” and “exotic” carmagazine.co.uk+2yourcar360.com+2supercars.net+2.
Many owners cite the soundtrack and feel of this engine as a major draw—“particularly so if you enjoy exhaust sounds and revving engines” reddit.com.
This auditory and tactile resonance is lost in the newer turbo‑four engines, underlining why the 981 reigns as the purist favorite .
🧠 Reliability & Value Proposition
The 981’s 3.4 L flat‑six (9A1 engine) is praised for reliability, avoiding issues common in earlier M96 engines (e.g. IMS failure, bore scoring) carmagazine.co.uk+15pistonheads.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15.
As prices of newer 718 turbo models lag, 981 S values have held steady, making these cars “depreciation-proof” and financially attractive en.wikipedia.org+6carmagazine.co.uk+6reddit.com+6.
Enthusiast forums reinforce that the Cayman S remains an excellent daily driver, with reasonable maintenance costs and enduring driver joy pistonheads.com+12reddit.com+12yourcar360.com+12.
🥇 Why It's One of the Best Ever
Engine Legacy: A climactic farewell to high‑revving, naturally aspirated flat‑six engines.
Driving Purity: Near 50/50 balance, agile chassis, and precise steering make it a driver's benchmarkyourcar360.com.
Thrilling Sensation: Engaging gearbox options and stunning engine acoustics elevate the visceral connection.
Collector Appeal: Multiple editorials, such as Car Magazine and Porsche Club guides, hail the 981 as “a benchmark,” “almost the pinnacle of Porsche's Cayman development”cars.com+5carmagazine.co.uk+5porscheclubgb.com+5.
Market Resilience: Strong residuals and consistent pricing trends reward long‑term ownership .
🏁 Final Word
The 2016 Porsche Cayman S isn’t just good—it’s a defining piece of modern automotive artistry. Its blend of a last‑of‑its‑kind flat‑six, razor‑sharp dynamics, and emotional resonance elevates it above the rest. In retrospect, the 981 Cayman S stands as the swan song of analog Porsche excellence—an icon for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
📚 Sources
Porsche Cayman S specs, engine and performance data
Chassis, dynamics, and market insights from automotive reviews & forums
Reliability context from PistonHeads, CaymanOC, and owner experiences pistonheads.com+1caymanoc.com+1
