Overview

To understand the history of the Porsche Cayman, it is important to look first at the Porsche Boxster. The Cayman is the Boxster, but with a roof and more agile. The 987 was the first Cayman variant to be released and was launched alongside the more powerful S model. The stiffer bodyshell meant that Porsche could endow the coupe with stiffer suspension settings to make the Cayman a better-handling car to the Boxster. The S was powered by a mid-mounted 3.4-litre, flat-six boxer engine derived from the 3.2 litre powerplant with cylinder heads from the 997 S’s 3.8-litre engine,with VarioCam Plus inlet valve timing and lift system. Note, though, that this engine was also fitted to the Boxster S from 2007. The power was fed through a six-speed manual Getrag 466 gearbox, while a five-speed Tiptronic transmission was optional. Other options included PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes) and a Sports Chrono Package. Much of the Cayman’s interior was shared with that of the Boxster and, like the open car, it was strictly a two-seater. However, the large opening rear hatch made the Cayman a surprisingly practical car.

How to spot

• Cayman S rear badging
• Small round spotlamps in front intakes
• Shark gill side air intakes
• Centrally mounted twin exhaust outlets

Specification

Capacity: 3387cc

Compression ratio: 11.1:1

Maximum Power: 295bhp @ 6250rpm

Maximum Torque: 340Nm @ 4800-6000rpm

Brakes: Front: 318mm discs; rear: 299mm discs; servo assisted with ABS; optional PCCB

Suspension: Front: strut located by a control arm, coil springs, antiroll bar; Rear: Strut located by one trailing link and two lateral links, coil springs, antiroll bar

Wheels & Tyres: Front: 8Jx18 with 235/40ZR18 tyres. Rear: 9Jx18 with 265/40ZR18tyres

Length: 4341mm

Width: 1801mm

Weight: >1340kg

Did you Know?

0-62mph: 5.4sec (manual) Top speed: 171mph (manual)