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Porsche Cayman 2009 Review

No matter what Porsche would like to think, the new Cayman is becoming a serious threat to the 911. While the 911 will always be the icon, the Cayman simply offers too much bang for the buck to be ignored.

It looks hot, handles well and has more than enough sting to satisfy most of us.

With new engines and suspension set-up, cosmetic improvements, better economy and the option of Porsche’s twin-clutch transmission, there’s little to dislike about the car.

Drivetrains

The base model Cayman we tested gets a 195kW/300Nm 2.9-litre boxer engine (up 200cc and 15kW). Mated to the six-speed manual, this gives a 0-100 speed of 5.8 seconds, which is shaved by 0.1 if you option the PDK box that was on the test car – the downside being 2km/h also being shaved off the manual’s top speed of 265km/h due to weight gain. But while the manual uses 9.2L of fuel per 100km, the new transmission manages 8.9 – an improvement of 11 per cent on the outgoing model with its sequential Tiptronic.

Step up to the Cayman S and you get a direct fuel-injected 3.4-litre unit that develops 235kW (up 18kW). The six-speed manual gives you a 0-100 speed of 5.2 seconds, but getting the PDK here gets you down to 5.1 – and with the optional Sports Chrono Pack drops down to a blistering 4.9 — but again cuts 2km/h off the manual’s top speed of 277km/h. And again the PDK offers fuel savings on the previous Cayman S, using 16 per cent less at 9.2L/100km, while the base model comes in at 9.6L/100km.

Appearance and equipment

There has been little change to the body styling of the Cayman, but it has been freshened at nose and tail with light clusters featuring twin tube halogens at the front and LED strips at the back that accentuate the swelling curves of the haunches, a new wind deflector plate and foglights. To dress up further, there’s an optional lighting pack with bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights.

The interior gets some facelifted touches, the main one being a revised centre control stack with larger screen for nav, info and entertainment. And ventilation has been added to the heating for the perforated-leather covered seats. And you could almost claim it’s practical too, with a 410-litre luggage capacity, although there’s little in the way of cabin storage to augment that for smaller items, and the cupholders that spring out of the dash are a nightmare.

Underpinnings

The base Cayman has new 17” wheels — 12mm wider than the previous version – and the larger 318mm front and 299mm rear brakes of the S variant, plus the chance to option its 18” wheels. The S itself can upgrade to 19” and also option an awesome 350mm ceramic brake package.

Meanwhile, new mapping has given the steering a sharper response, while the suspension has been adjusted to account for the engines’ extra power.

Porsche’s electronically controlled Active Suspension management is available for both models, lowering the body by 10mm over the standard suspension. It has been enhanced with brake assistance that includes a pre-loading function that comes into play if you lift off the accelerator quickly – even before your foot touches the brake pedal.

The Sports Chrono Package adds a Sport Plus function that further sharpens steering, quickens gearchanges and throttle response and hardens the suspension. And if you’ve got the PDK box, the Chrono addition tosses in a Launch Start function as well as a handy auto kick-down if you stab the accelerator.

Driving

Helm the Cayman in city traffic and you’ll need to treat the throttle gingerly. This is a car with a top speed of over 200km/h and you’ll feel that it wants to do exactly that. Once you’ve realised that only gentle pressure is needed, the Cayman is remarkably well-mannered and easy to drive.

There is plenty of torque at low revs, and the PDK gearbox is so slick that you’ll barely notice as it changes. A small indicator next to the tachometer shows which gear the car has chosen but it never gets it wrong, and you quickly learn that around town you are best served by leaving it to do its own thing.

On a country road away and away from traffic, this car comes into its own. With a clear path ahead the Cayman can be driven a little more exuberantly and it becomes enormous fun. The 2.9-litre engine just wants to keep revving and the steering is positive and direct.

Whether you leave the gearbox in auto mode, or change gear yourself using either the stick or the paddles on the steering wheel, the car responds to the throttle, and feels tight and firm on the road. If you push it, you’re rewarded with a healthy snarl from the exhaust, and a tacho that might be doing duty as a wiper. Driving a car like this won’t make you a better driver, but it will certainly make you feel like one.

If you had to pick something to mark down with this car, it is the amount of wind and road noise that makes its way to the cabin, especially over the rougher surfaces of secondary roads outside the city. Conversation at highway speed is difficult, and on a long journey the noise would become wearing.

There’s a surprising amount of room for luggage, given that this is a true two-seater. The front trunk is large enough for a weekend away, and this is augmented by the amount of space under the liftback, including a cargo-netted parcel shelf.

Overall, this is a fantastic package that makes you wonder whether spending the extra for a 911 is overkill.


Snapshot
Porsche Cayman
Price: from $122,200 (plus dealer and statutory charges), as tested $134,190 (plus dealer and statutory charges)
Engine: 195kW/300Nm 2.9-litre boxer
Transmissions: six-speed manual, seven-speed twin-clutch automatic
Performance: 0-100km/h 5.8secs man, 5.7secs auto; top speed 265km/h man, 263km/h auto
Economy: 9.2L/100km man, 8.9L/100km auto

Pricing guides

$32,285
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$17,930
Highest Price
$46,640

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
(base) 2.7L, PULP, 5 SP MAN $26,070 – 32,120 2009 Porsche Cayman 2009 (base) Pricing and Specs
S 3.4L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $30,800 – 37,070 2009 Porsche Cayman 2009 S Pricing and Specs
Pricing Guide

$23,210

Lowest price, based on third party pricing data

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.