2006 Porsche Cayman S Review

If a 911 has its engine in the wrong spot and the rag-top Boxster is just not your scene, then the Cayman offers much of both.

It is a car of curves, built with its own very attractive curves – not since Ava Gardner or Jayne Mansfield have curves so seductive been seen.

The Cayman S has the unmistakable snout that says Porsche, with flanks that scream performance and a killer profile.

Porsche Australia boss Michael Winkler believes the 911 will retain its position as the halo car of Porsche's range, with the Cayman bringing new customers in.

"It's a completely new driving experience. From our point of view, it's a logical slot between the 911 and the Boxster," he says.

"We don't see cannibalisation. We see Boxster people moving up to the Cayman and at the same time the 911 retaining its halo position.

"We do see this car bringing in a lot of first-time Porsche buyers. It is for the customer who wants a Porsche coupe but doesn't have $200,000 to spend."

Porsche Australia says it will not be shooting for sales records this year but, instead, is looking to consolidate its position, with the Cayman set to make a decent contribution, as will the upcoming Cayenne Turbo S, the new 911 Turbo and GT3 later in the year. Just 70 of the new sports coupes will make it here in the first half of 2006 and Porsche already holds orders for about half of that.

Immediately apparent from behind the wheel is the coupe's close relationship with the Boxster, even though Porsche engineering staff suggest there's more 911 DNA than Boxster. The superb balance offered by the mid-engine layout is felt even during suburban commuting, with the engine just 300mm behind the occupant's shoulder line.

Where the Boxster felt tight and taut, particularly for a drop-top, the Cayman surpasses it, feeling light on its feet and nimble.

The 3.4-litre flat-six from the Boxster S gets the Variocam plus system from the 911, which bumps the power to 217kW at 6250rpm, while the torque curve offers peak torque of 340Nm between 4400rpm and 6000rpm.

Porsche claims fuel-economy figures in the region of 10.6 litres/100km, although that figure climbed to about 16 litres/100km during the enthusiastic launch drive.

The Cayman S manual offers a 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds for the six-speed manual – and it makes a glorious noise getting there.

The Cayman S's balance is matched by a chassis package that delivers sharp handling and a decent (for a purpose-built sports coupe) ride quality, with only some of the worst Adelaide Hills roads prompting groans from occupants.

The six-speed manual is by far the pick of the litter – Porsche expects early uptake to be two-thirds manual, with a shift action that takes a little time to warm to, but quickly becomes intuitive.

The $7000 optional five-speed tiptronic auto might well be the thing for commuters, but the manual is easily the number one choice.

Surprisingly (given the swoopy roofline) head room was not an issue, even for someone just over 190cm tall, but a little more seat adjustment range was needed to get the ideal distance from the pedals.

Luggage space is scattered but not inconsiderable, with a total of 410 litres available – around 260 litres in the rear hatchback compartment, 150 litres in the nose and several handy, if small compartments within the tight cabin.

Priced from $148,500, the Cayman S slots in closer to the Boxster than a 911 in pricing terms but offers a driving package that makes it worthy of consideration in the same realm as the flagship.

SMALL TORQUE

Porsche Cayman S

Engine: 3.4-litre alloy DOHC 24-valve horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine
Power: 217kW at 6250rpm
Torque: 340Nm between 4400rpm and 6000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, or optional five-speed Tiptronic S $7000
Suspension: Front and rear axle in McPherson design (optimised by Porsche)
Brakes: 318mm front discs, 299mm rear discs, four-piston aluminium brake calipers, cross-drilled and inner-vented; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake option $18,990
Wheels/tyres: Front 18in with 235/40 ZR front and 265/40 ZR rear tyres (19in option for about $5000)
Weight: 1340kg
Dimensions: Length 4341mm, width 1801mm, height 1305mm, wheelbase 2415mm, track (fr/rr) 1486/1528mm
Fuel consumption/capacity: Combined 10.6 litre/100km (11 litre/100km – auto), tank 64 litres
Performance: Top speed 275km/h, 0-100km/h 5.4sec (manual)