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First Drives

Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

By Georg Kacher

04 December 2008 12:30

Click here for the mini convertible video

The Porsche Cayman should have been a failure. The first pictures showed an ugly and ungainly coupe tottering on tiny 17-inch wheels, it cost a few grand more than its cheaper-to-build Boxster sibling and it should have always been overshadowed by its 911 big brother.

But that never happened. Even though Porsche was clearly trying to reign the Cayman back, all but the most committed Porschephile will admit it has always been snapping at the 911's heels. Others will even (whisper) that the Cayman is the better car.

And now, with the recent 911 facelift upping the rear-engined car's power, Porsche has given itself the space to let the Cayman breathe and perhaps create the car the little coupe always should have been. (Not that it was anything other than brilliant before). Read on for our first drive of the new Porsche Cayman S.

I can hardly spot the changes on the new Porsche Cayman. What’s been tweaked by Stuttgart?

Barely three years after its introduction the Cayman has had a mid-lift nip and tuck to keep it looking taut and tight until an all-new car arrives in 2012. Until then new front and rear bumpers, repositioned fog lights, revised headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lamps keep the looks fresh, with a much more pleasing differentiation from its predeccesor that Porsche has managed with the latest 911 facelift.

Inside the new Cayman you’ll find Porsche’s latest multimedia touch-screen system (should you tick the options box), while the centre console is a classier black rather than the old car’s scratchy grey. The basic layout is the same but everything feels a step-up in quality terms.

>> Click 'Next' below to read more of our Porsche Cayman S first drive

  

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Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

Statistics

How much? £44,108
On sale in the UK: February 21 2009
Engine: 3436cc flat-six, 315bhp @ 7200rpm, 273lb ft @ 4750rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Performance: 5.1sec 0-62mph, 171mph, 30.1mpg, 221g/km
How heavy / made of? 1350kg/steel
Need to know

CAR's rating

Rated 5 out of 5

Handling

Rated 5 out of 5

Performance

Rated 5 out of 5

Usability

Rated 3 out of 5

Feelgood factor

Rated 4 out of 5

Readers' rating

Rated 4.5 out of 5

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Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

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nicholasking

nicholasking says

RE: Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

I have owned 2 Boxsters,have driven a Cayman,and currently own a 996 911.The Cayman/boxsters are without question better balanced,the 911 scores on sheer traction and up to now on power.As the article says that has now been addressed so if I was buying new the 911 is no longer worth the extra money. One further point that is never mentioned - it is time porsche addressed the road noise all their cars create - when you are out 'for a drive' this isn't a problem but day to day this reduces the ownership experience and certainly questions their ability as a GT.

08 December 2008 12:04

seanmaccann

seanmaccann says

RE: Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

heard all this "Porsche must replace the 911 if they want to have a future" stuff before, in 1977, and at regular intervals since. funny, they seem to be doing alright considering how they're ignoring all us experts. the 911's design is not so illogical as its detractors, most of who have never driven one, make out - under heavy braking, its weight balance is closer to 50:50 than any front drive car, and if you take the time to learn how to drive it, you get excellent traction out of bends. depends if you want a car you have to drive, or a pose mobile that does it for you. as for anyone who wants to have a radical cosmetic redesign every time a new model is released, why? so that the neighbours will know it the current year model? once a shell design is good, as Nissan are showing with the 350/70Z, and Mazda with the MX5, leave it and concentrate on the engineering. if you need to impress people that much, build a patio.

07 December 2008 13:03

JohnnyBimmer

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JohnnyBimmer says

RE: Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

MisterW - the Audi TT beats the Cayman for practicality. Even has 2 usable rear seats. The interior is vastly superior to the Caymans, doesn't squeek like you'ved a few mice inside and is more fun at everyday speeds. The Cyaman may give you ultimate performance when you're going like a banshee but otherwise, a TT for me is the far better proposition and saves you £12-£15k

05 December 2008 15:17

MisterWild

MisterWild says

RE: Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

I've done 53,000 miles in my S and I'm with johnwill3 on the practicality. When I ripped out my bathroom last year I went round the tip with a loo in the nose, cistern in the boot and bathtub on the roofbars. Otherwise Georg Kacher is, as usual, spot on, particularly as regards the manual/18s/no-frills chassis combination - the precision of feel from steering, gearbox and seat of pants never, ever fails to raise a grin.

05 December 2008 12:21

Marani

Marani says

RE: Porsche Cayman S (2009) CAR review

I agree with johnwill3, as a 911 owner I was expecting the Carrara GT to spon an everyday practical mid engine 911 replacement. I think everyone remembers the confusion in the Porsche line up when the 928, 944 and 911 all had simulare performance. Then Porsche killed the 928 and 944 to keep the 911 as the artafical leader of the Porsche product line. i think Porsche needs to put to practice what they learned with the Carrara GT and replace the 911 with a car that will keep them in the top spot in the sport car world, this car would be a bellow 3.9 sec. car that would keep a nice distance from the Cayman but allow the Cayman its own space in the line up.

05 December 2008 10:02

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