Porsche Cayman S: A Purebred German Engineered Street Racer

Highlights: A Cayman GTS version will join the line-up this summer, delivering 340 horses and pumping out 15 more horses than the Cayman S. As a side note, the option list for the Cayman includes a $140 fire extinguisher.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $88,835 (Base Model starts at $53,550)

Seating Capacity:  2

Standard Safety Features: airbags (front, side, integral thorax, knee and back); roll bar behind the rear seat headrests; ABS; electric parking brake;a tire pressure monitoring system; a tire sealing compound; and pad wear sensor on brake pads  

Standard Equipment: 18-inch wheels; an automatic start-stop gas saving feature; a 6-speed manual transmission; and sport seats with a hybrid manual/power adjustment

Suspension System:

Front: McPherson axle

Rear: McPherson type optimized to Porsche requirements

Standard Audio: a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty:N/A

0 to 60mph:

5.4 seconds (2.7-liter with a manual)

4.7 seconds (3.4-liter with a manual)

Bluetooth Compatibility: Yes

MP3 Compatibility: Yes

Standard Engine/Horsepower): 2.7-liter, 6-cylinder/275-horsepower

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 19-city/28-hwy (6-cylinder)

Other Trim Levels:

Cayman

Cayman GTS (available summer 2014)

What’s New: The third-generation, rear-wheel drive Cayman arrived in dealerships last spring. For the 2014 model year, this two-seater comes with a longer wheelbase, reduced weight and a new chassis. For now, the Cayman will be available in two trim levels: Cayman and Cayman S. A Cayman GTS, which pushes out slightly more horses, will be available this summer.

Pros: The spirited manual transmission Cayman S, which we reviewed, is definitely for driver enthusiasts. Unlike the base trim, the upgraded S model was outfitted with a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine painlessly pumped out 325 horses. However, for those not yearning to drive a manual, don’t fret. The Porsche Cayman is available with an optional seven-speed, double clutch automatic, which is available in both trims.

Also, with the 2014 Cayman providing a longer wheelbase, redesigned sport seats, a wider track, red brake calipers and the optional 20-inch wheels, we were able to push the vehicle, when cornering because of its improved grip. Yes, this provided for a thrilling driving experience. The Cayman S also allowed us the ability to select two driving modes: Normal and Sport.

Porsche enthusiasts will also be thrilled to know that this lighter, but more agile two-seater now has a curved rear wing spoiler that is seamlessly integrated into body of the vehicle, allowing deployment automatically or manually at the touch of a button.

Added to that, the exterior design of the 2014 Cayman further differentiate itself from the Boxter, which is the drop top version of this sports car, providing such distinguishable features as a prominent air intakes and a round cluster of daytime running lights.

Moreover, while this is a two-seater sports car, the slightly longer wheelbase in the 2014 Cayman equates to more cargo space for this mid-mounted engine sports coupe. We had room to store cargo in what most would consider the hood and the trunk. Yes, every inch of space we could find to store something we did.

And, besides the new styling the Cayman also offered a few must-have safety features. Yes, like many of today’s vehicles, a new radar-activated cruise control system is available for those who opt for an automatic transmission. If your vehicle is so equipped with a manual transmission, this technology is not available. Moreover, a keyless transmitter, which locks and unlocks doors, as well as start the engine is available for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.

Furthermore, we were literally shocked at the fuel-efficiency level of this Porsche. It’s no wonder that a turbo 4-cylinder is in the pipeline. The Cayman S we reviewed was able to find the perfect balance between providing ample torque, while being a fuel sipper. In fact, the 2014 models gain anywhere between 5 to 10 horsepower than the previous model.

Lastly, the tan leather seats in the Cayman S we reviewed provided an upscale, but tasteful ambiance. Hand-stitching surrounded the door panels, the instrument panel and the seats of this well-engineered German sports coupe.  And to compliment the interior, the sound quality embodies pure heart and soul. The optional 12 individually controlled speakers coupled with the smooth sounds oozing from the satellite radio were appropriately placed throughout the vehicle so that the occupants would experience an in-car concert.

Cons: Because of the Cayman S super firm suspension, it’s definitely not designed for road trips. However, most folks who buy a two-seater Porsche are very much aware of that. Most would agree, the Cayman S is definitely better suited for the track, as opposed to the street. Moreover, with the German engineers making so much change to the vehicle for the 2014 model year, why did they not consider adding a steering wheel control to adjust the volume? 

Furthermore, the Cayman can become quite pricey, too, when adding on a host of customized features. The Cayman S we reviewed had close to $19,000 in add-ons. Lastly, what happened to the coat hook and a true rear back up camera? Yes, the slightly cramped cabin definitely needed a place to park our pressed shirts from the dry cleaner and a back up camera, too!

The Verdict: While Porsche has made numerous upgrades and styling modifications to its third-generation Cayman to satisfy the needs of today’s drivers, it still manages to be a pure German engineered vehicle through-and-through, with such features as the ignition starter being located on the left-hand side of the steering wheel to the placement of the engine. In our opinion, the fuel-efficient hand crafted machine we reviewed yearns to be driven on a race track, as opposed to being teased and taunted on our highly congested highways and city streets.

Competition: Chevy Corvette Stingray