2014 Porsche Cayman S Review
Plusher doesn’t mean softer
When the Cayman first arrived in 2006, it was essentially a hard top version of the engaging Porsche Boxster. Featuring a stiff structure and excellent dynamics, the Cayman quickly found fans around the world.
But for all it had in apex assaulting prowess, the Cayman lacked in
creature comforts. This is not to say it was a bare bones track special,
but compared to some of the competition, it wasn’t reeking of opulent
luxury. Popular as it was with the enthusiast crowd, Porsche wants to
sell more and that means making the Cayman appealing to a broader
audience.
FAST FACTS |
| 1. A 3.4-liter horizontally-opposed six-cylinder makes 325 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque.
2. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, a seven-speed PDK automatic is optional. 3. Pricing for Cayman S starts at $64,750. AutoGuide’s test car costs $84,170. 4. With the PDK, fuel consumption is rated at 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. |
So for the second generation Cayman, Porsche is offering a car that is perhaps more in line with its German rivals, delivering more luxury and more style. And oh, what style indeed!
Continuing the design theme started last year with the Boxster, the new Cayman features a similar gorgeous baby-Carrera-GT look that is helped even more by having a roof. Although silver isn’t exactly the most exciting color for a car, somehow Porsche pulls it off. Then again, the Cayman could be painted hot pink with lime green accents and it would still probably look amazing.
REAL HEAD TURNER
Is it prettier than a 911? Well, that is up to personal opinion, there’s certainly an affirmative argument to be made. Enhancing the overall appearance are red painted brake calipers, cross drilled rotors and 20-inch Carrera S wheels. However, as beautiful as these rims look, some find that they might also be too big for this little coupe.
See Also: 2013 Porsche Boxster Review - Video
Porsche offers a few different interior color schemes and our test
car was finished in the “Yachting Blue” leather interior that found few
fans around the AutoGuide office. We did however like the button free
thick-rimmed sport steering wheel set in front of a set of metal paddle
shifters. There’s also a Bose stereo that produces a clear, powerful sound.
WONDERFUL BOXER POWER
So the Cayman has new-found luxury, but has this driver's car suffered in performance? Our Cayman S arrived with a 3.4-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine pumping out 325 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. Although we would have preferred the standard six-speed manual, our Cayman was equipped with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. Hey, if a car has to have an automatic, it might as well have one of the best examples money can buy, right?
Keeping it in the sweet spot of the power band is simple thanks to Porsche’s spectacular PDK dual-clutch transmission. Manuals are magnificent, but Porsche’s PDK is damn impressive. Put it in Sport Plus mode and the car always remains in the lowest gear possible when driving aggressively. It’s ridiculously fast compared to the 20th century way of shifting with your hands and feet. Feel free to use the paddles on a racetrack if so inclined, but the car’s computer works faster than the human brain in sport plus at determining the exact gear and rpm needed when attacking a corner.
PORSCHE STILL THE CHASSIS MASTER
Alright, so we have determined the Cayman is luxurious and fast, but does it still offer that certain “Porsche driving feel?” Are the brakes, steering and overall handling of this car spectacular? In a word, yes.Steering is direct and responsive on both the road and the track. The Cayman will always do what it is told to through the steering wheel. The chassis is set-up beautifully allowing drivers of differing skill levels to confidently explore their limits on a track, even if those are nowhere near that of the Cayman’s. Thanks to the rev-happy engine, even a novice can use the throttle to help steer the car through corners. The best part is that with the sport suspension turned off, the ride is more than tolerable for how capable the Cayman S is as a sports car.
Pricing for Cayman S starts at $64,750, but like any Porsche, that price can quickly escalate when checking off a few option boxes. With items like the PDK, Carrera S wheels, premium package, infotainment package and Sport Chrono package, our test vehicle ballooned up to $84,170 after destination charges.