· The Cayman has long been regarded to be a poor-man’s Porsche—an underclassman to its big sister, the 911. Now that the Cayman has been ‘souped-up’, we come to see if it has grown up…
· Design & Engineering:
As one absorbs the Boxster like nose, the new LED strips, HID fog lamps, and Panamera like headlamps, seem to arouse your senses. Clearly, Porsche has used some of their best parts from the shared bins—telling us how much thought has been inserted into revamping the Cayman. As you move around to the sides, the same 911 ‘sweeping rear’ (C-pillar) is clearly visible, though shorter by a bit; it emphasizes what the sports car can do. Optional ceramic brakes are available, though unnecessary. The rear. As we can see, it becomes a love it or hate it situation. Personally, to me, it’s a no-go, as it exudes one word—boring. The only stimulating item happens to be the embossed ‘S’, which differentiates the 3.4-liter, flat-six Cayman S, from its 2.7-liter Tiptronic ‘lesser-siblings’.
· Interior
My goodness—definitely an improvement. The pre-facelift Cayman featured a relatively ‘bleak’ interior, with no such entertainment, interest, or stimulation at all. The post-facelift Cayman, along with new Porsches, has gotten rid of the Tiptronic shifters on the steering wheel, and now sports rocker switches, used to manually change gears. The standard Cayman (and Cayman S) will feature a CDR30 audio system, which has a decent colour screen. If one opts to select PCM (Porsche Management System, then a full colour, touch-screen is given—similar to the one provided in the 911 models. Once again, an optional BOSE premium sound system is available. Thanks to the revised center console and use of Alcantara, the entire interior feels much classier, and sporty to the touch.
· Ride & Handling
On the revised Cayman S, acceleration is remarkable—especially with Porsche’s PDK, 7-speed, dual-clutch system, taken directly off a 911. With the launch control (available only when the optional Sport Chrono package is selected), acceleration from 0 ---> 100km/h, takes 4.9 seconds (0.2 seconds faster than without launch control)—exactly the same as an entry level 911. Most Cayman consumers buy the car for the superb handling—the best in its class. Throw the car in any tight bend, slick corner, or intense roads; it will always handle predictably and consistently. On B-roads, the Cayman will easily surpass its older sister—the 911. There is a Sport button available on the Cayman, which firms up the suspension, alters the characteristics of the engine, gearbox, throttle, and steering for a sportier drive. A Sport Plus button is readily available, but is recommended for smooth tarmac.
· Verdict
Revised for the better—though, the rear needs some change. Avoid the optional ceramic brakes, unless you’re a hard-core kind of person. Tick the optional BOSE sound system, as it provides enhanced enjoyment throughout your ride. In short, the Cayman meets the status quo of a 911—almost.
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