Porsche Cayman 2006 Review

It has been a couple of months since the Cayman S, alternatively a more expensive hard-top Boxster or a value-for-money 911, arrived in a landslide of superlatives.

Few new cars have been so puffed and fluffed pre-launch. Even fewer have measured up to the hype without suffering the whiplash venom of critics. Just how the Cayman managed to be one of the few became obvious around the same time the first sweeping curves of the Old Pacific Highway disappeared from the rear-view mirror. I am and have been for the longest time an unabashed fan of most things Porsche — with the possible exception of the Cayenne, which proved even Porsche can get it wrong once every decade or so.

Cayman is proof that it still has what it takes to get it all right.

Sharing large gobs of engineering with the Boxster, not the least of which is the glorious balance of the mid-engine layout, and almost 50per cent of its genes with the 911 the Cayman S sits in a cosseted automotive wonderland. At $148,500 for the base six-speed manual — the test car added the Porsche command centre with satellite navigation for $7250, a sports steering wheel for $2090, a phone module for $2190 and metallic paint for $1890 — the car represents a saving of more than $50,000 over the bottom of the 911 range. Is it better than the 911? There are points you can argue for either car.

Is it better value than a 911? Absolutely.

With its 3.4-litre flat-six snarling away right at the driver's shoulder the Cayman's 217kW and 340Nm simply demands to be used.

Jump on the right pedal and the Cayman S will scamper from standstill to 100km/h in just 5.4 seconds, racing on to 160km/h in 11.7 accompanied by the spine-tingling crackle of the exhaust as the Variocam Plus valve timing soaks the last bit of urge from the engine. For a car on the performance limit the Cayman reaches, the gearbox is surprisingly friendly. The throws are not particularly short nor the gates close enough to demand Swiss precision with the changes.

Like the rest of Cayman's key characteristics, it can be as relaxed or as hectic as the driver wishes. As with all manual Porsches, the relationship of brake to accelerator is an invitation to heel-toe. It just is.

The steering is worthy of a Porsche. Every nuance of the car's behaviour is fed back through the twin contact points of steering wheel and seat of the pants.

The Cayman cabin echoes the Boxster and there is little reason for complaint there. Entry and exit can be a bit of a dexterity test but once settled into the sports seats the impression is one of a comfortable suit.

Headroom is excellent and gives the cabin a spacious feel, as does the carpeted platform behind the seats, which doubles as the limited luggage space and cover for the engine.

Tucked away on the rear platform is an access port with nozzles for oil and water — and that is as much contact with the engine Porsche wants to see from the vast majority of its owners. Other than for a flat-pack under the lift-up hatch the only option for luggage is Porsche's usual bin under the bonnet — just big enough for a small airline carry-on bag. Not surprisingly you don't get a spare of any type with the Cayman, rather a bottle of puncture goo and membership to the 24-hour roadside assistance program.

Is it a major issue?

Not in the least, there are far too many things about the Cayman with the potential for endorphin release to worry about a flat tyre that may never happen.