C ar S cene I nvestigation: May 2013

*Cayman/caiman: a semiaquatic reptile similar to the alligator but with a heavily armored belly, native to tropical America.

Now in it’s second generation, is the new Cayman merely a coupé version of the Boxster—or is it much more than just that?

· Design & Engineering:

The new Cayman sheds past designs, ridding itself of previous Plain-Jane styling. This means, taking on the new face of the Porsche industry—that of the recently launched 911 and Boxster. From the front, a duo row of headlights on both sides serves as bi-xenon headlamps, as well as daytime running lights. From certain angles however, I find that the new Cayman seems a tad childish in terms of its curvatures and (a bit too) youthful styling. Still, large aerodynamic curves and intakes on the sides make up for signs of masculine weakness displayed on the front. At the rear, the bum comes off that of the Boxster, meaning a completely redesigned, sweeping boot, with an electrical spoiler. Being the base model, a single sport exhaust meets at the mid section of the bum—an inaccurate representation of the sheer ability the Cayman possesses.

· Interior:

After toying around with the new Panamera, 911 and Boxster, the interior of the new Cayman comes off as no surprise. From the driver’s perspective, the cabin is neat, orderly and even a surprisingly inviting place to be in. Neatness comes from the slightly less cluttered Carerra-GT inspired center console (as compared to a 911 or a Panamera), and the sense of invitation is derived from the different types of available interior colours. The test vehicle came with a warm sandy-beige colour, fitted with plastic-chrome inserts, filling the entire cabin from the side panels, steering wheel and dash, to the carpet and headlining. Needless to say, quality and comfort comes standard in the Cayman, adhering to the brand’s reputation and rich heritage. Thanks to a mid-mounted engine and lack of a soft-top, among the Boxster and 911, the Cayman has the most space to offer, with 150 litres of front cargo space and 162 litres of rear cargo space ready at all times. This comes in handy on weekends to the golf course, or to short trips, where duffle bags and light luggage will fit in with ease.

· Ride & Handlings

Despite being the “base” model, the 2.7-litre PDK Cayman still manages to pack a lot of punch for its size. The mid-engine flat six provides more stability and better handling, churning out 275 BHP and 290nm of torque—plenty for the Cayman, considering its shed of 40kg. With a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds, the new Cayman is a definite crowd-pleaser, assuring passenger and driver of its inner capabilities and stunning handling. Indeed, once thrown around curves, the Porsche simply hugs the road with no signs of resistance at all.