Reptile Power: The Porsche Cayman Articles | Automotive

When you consider the Porsche Cayman in terms of the it’s engine, you'll find it somewhere along the line of development between the Porsche Boxster and the 911. However, it tends to have a rather distinct personality as well. It is much faster, easier and isn't overwhelmed by the large weight which hangs out at the back of the vehicles and the elements which are needed to manage that weight.

The Cayman is solely a two seater vehicle; the reason for this is that the engine is placed in the back where the rear seats would ordinarily be. This also means that the engine cannot be accessed quite easily. However, there is a way which you can access the oil filter through the boot. Under that long tailgate, you have a generous luggage area which supplements the front 911/Boxster-sized boot. Like all other Porsche's, the Cayman is not very big, which makes it very practical and usable. And despite its relation to the Boxster, the Cayman is very much its own car with its curvaceous rear wings and neat fastback roof. As with other Porsche's, there's a movable rear spoiler, which deploys at speeds in excess of 120km/h.

When it comes to the engine, the Cayman has much as 3.4 liters and is a mix of the cylinder barrels of a 911 along with the crankshaft of a Boxster. A 911 engine has a capacity of 3.6 liters or 3.8 liters while the Porsche Boxster S has a 3.2 liter engine. Even though today's Porsche engines are water-cooled, they still overlay their intake and exhaust notes with a breathy whine like that of the giant air-cooling fans of old.

The Porsche Cayman is actually a mix and it really doesn't possess any number of new or unique parts. The Cayman can actually be described as the Porsche Boxster with a rooftop and it is much more compact. What this means is that the entire driving experience tends to be much more focused as its suspension has a tauter and sportier setting.

The Porsche Cayman has a maximal speed of about 275 km/h and it can move up from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The Cayman functions exceptionally well with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), but it also does well without it as well unlike a Porsche 911. This Suspension Management System is also what helps the Porsche Cayman sit about 10 mm lower and when it is in Sport Mode it also tautens the damping as well. With the Chrono option you even get a stopwatch as an added feature for timing hot laps as well.

What you have in the end with the Porsche Cayman, is a wonderful depiction of a rigid, solid-roofed car with many advantages. The good thing about the Porsche Cayman S is that it has all the great things that make up a Porsche and none of the problems. In terms of speed, it may not be top of the class, in terms of design, it may not be the most superb. However it is a rather affordable option for people who want to enjoy all that is good about Porsche without paying full price.