For the first time the Porsche Cayman is cheaper than the Boxster thanks to the release of the four-cylinder 718 series and a repositioning strategy of the compact coupe and roadster range.

Following the 718 Boxster unveiled three months ago and priced locally from $113,100 (plus on-road costs), this week the virtually identical 718 Cayman lobs priced from $110,300 (plus orc).

Comparing the S versions, the roadster asks from $143,400 (plus orc) versus $140,600 (plus orc) for its just-released hardtop sibling.

Porsche 718 Cayman rear driving

Likewise the 718 Boxster S and 718 Cayman S utilise a 2.5-litre turbo flat four-cylinder making 257kW and 420Nm, and in PDK/SportChrono guise claim 0-100km/h in 4.2sec.

Choosing a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission adds $4990 to the S, or just $1333 in the case of the base model because it pays a reduced amount of Luxury Car Tax (LCT) thanks to official fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km.

Porsche 718 Cayman interior

In pre-facelift guise the Cayman S was up to $9000 more expensive than the Boxster S and scored an extra 9kW/10Nm from its 3.4-litre flat six-cylinder engine. For the first time since the hardtop joined the roadster a decade ago, the pair are no longer separated to the same degree.

Porsche 718 Cayman models

Deliveries will begin in Australia late this year.