9:02 am, May 2, 2013
The new Porsche Cayman promises to be the best yet. Leon Poultney has driven it
What is it?
An updated and overhauled version of Porsche’s mid-engined, tin-top road racer that nicely plugs the gap between the entry-level Boxster and the fiery 911. The Cayman has always held a special place in the hearts of petrolheads thanks to its superb chassis, high-revving engine and attractive price tag. However, the latest iteration is up £1,134 on the Cayman S model and £487 on the standard 2.7-litre iteration.
What’s under the bonnet?
Engine choice should really be decided by buyers’ driving styles. The entry-level 2.7 flat-six is an absolute screamer of a power plant, requiring the driver to firmly plant their right foot and max out the revs through every gear. The Cayman S with its 3.4-litre unit is far more punchy in third and fourth gears, offering an extra 80Nm of torque over the 2.7 and shaving 0.6 seconds off the 0-60mph sprint time.
What’s the spec like?
Standard equipment is slightly improved over the previous model with the German firm now offering luxuries such as a seven-inch touch-screen display, automatic headlight activation and an auxiliary slot in the glovebox but it is in no way lavished with goodies. The interior of the S receives partial leather upholstery and the cabin in both models feels fairly special. Prices are £39,694 for the Cayman while the S is £48,783.
What’s it like to drive?
In one word: Astonishing. Enter a bend with the ham-fisted scrappiness of a complete novice and it somehow propels you out of the other side cleaner than a pair of boiled pants. It’s the perfect – albeit expensive – cure for manic depression.
What do the press think of it?
The Telegraph said: ‘The Cayman wasn’t a bad car before, but this one is a world-beater.’
What do we think of it?
The Cayman is a superb machine that manages to include all of the endearing characteristics of the previous model but offer another level of refinement and practicality that enables it to be used every day. Options are still extremely expensive but a barebones Cayman at £39,694 on the road is a very attractive proposition for performance-minded customers.
