Porsche Cayman S: a delightful and wearable sportscar
Published Thursday December 4th, 2008
he's great mid-engine racers of the past, the sound of the Cayman S's centrally-located powerplant starting up cold seems a bit out of place. It makes a strange, lumpy, erratic and hoarse noise until warmed up.
Any good singer needs a moment to warm their vocal cords before a performance though- and the sweet song that ensues is well worth the wait for operating temperature.
Like the engine sound, Cayman's finer details start presenting themselves after a moment. Look, and you'll notice slotted brakes, air ducting, expressive lines, and the adjustable spoiler- not to mention the bulging rear fenders that visually glue everything to the road. It's one of the all-time sleekest side-profiles on the road, and you could stare at it for hours.
Inside, designers have created a focused atmosphere that's simple to adapt to and free of much clutter. The tester's interior was finished in grey, broken up with aluminum trim, and dotted with storage compartments, cupholders and easy-to-reach controls. A cargo-net keeps belongings secure just behind occupants at shoulder level, on top of the engine cover.
There's a shallow trunk in the rear and a deep one in front- meaning generous room for a two-person weekend getaway. The cabin isn't what most would call spacious, though it isn't cramped either. It fits like a leather glove- just not a tight one.
Instruments are clean and easy to read, even if they use the same font you'd find in a high-school girl's loveletter. Everything but the outboard-mounted key falls into place where it should be, and though visibility is limited out the Caymans backside, the wide mirrors more than compensate.
No complaints arose from the interior's operation, though one might expect a few more features given the price. Heated memory seats, a CD-changer, steering-wheel audio controls and active xenon lights have become standard on considerably less expensive models, though all were absent from the $81,000 tester.
With 295 horsepower in the "S" designated model, Cayman's no slouch is the performance department. That it doesn't break the 300 horsepower mark is irrelevant- as it feels nearly weightless when acceleration is requested.
A furious and intoxicating howl reinforces the explosive high-RPM pull, though the flexible, Vario-Cam equipped engine packs plenty of punch anywhere from about 2200 revs. Downshifts are always optional for passing, and a satisfying response follows every prod of the throttle.
Mileage dropped frequently below 10L / 100km on the highway. End of the week, Cayman's potent power and very reasonable fuel economy were much appreciated. Too bad there's no way to show the engine to your friends- as it's buried between the rear wheels with no access from the top other than a small cover for fluid top-offs.
The 3.4 liter mill is joined to the rear wheels by a six-speed manual transmission with a heavy but rewarding clutch and a slick, six-speed shifter. Heel-and-toeing comes instinctively, and you'll wind up finding all the reasons you can to change gears.
Get carried away in the process, and a set of massive cross-drilled brakes stand ready to bring velocities back to a reasonable level in a heartbeat. Pedal feel falls short of what you'll find in an Audi TTS or Mercedes SLK 350, but their track-ready clamping force and fade-free operation is undeniable.
Porsche's Active Suspension Management system (PASM) was on board-featuring a push-button sport-setting that instantly stiffens and lowers the suspension to a track-ready level. This gets the car biting down hard while undulating tightly over imperfections in the road.
Switching between the suspension modes, one can actually feel the car tensing up, or relaxing into a more comfortable state. It's a night and day difference that's engaged in just milliseconds. Very cool.
Combined with large wheels and tires, a very precise steering system, and the unique mid-engine handling dynamic, Porsche has created a thrilling driving experience on any road. Few cars with an engine atop their front wheels feel this effortlessly responsive when pushed.
Ultimately, Cayman S is a beautiful car in most every respect- though it's certainly not one for every budget. The exotic and potent engine, razor sharp handling and gawk-encouraging looks point it directly towards the enthusiast buyer after a collectable and very drivable piece of motoring history more so than a mass-produced toy.
If exclusivity, style and thrills rank high on your list, be sure to check one out at www.porsche.ca.
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