21 Jul 06
In the meantime, be advised that hidden entirely from view under an apparently immovable engine cover is the same 2.7-litre flat six motor that's now available in the Boxster. It's highly tuned, as you'd expect, and produces 241bhp - enough says Porsche to push the Cayman past 62mph in 6.1sec and on to a top speed of 160mph. There are just five gears as standard - which many, including me, will think smacks of cheapskatery, given the wealth of little hatches costing twenty grand less that offer the full six speeds. If you want the extra cog, Porsche will relieve you of a further £1,426, though it will throw in its PASM active suspension management system as well.
Its chassis is softer than that of the Cayman S, reflecting its slightly more fuzzy focus on the open road, and the front brakes are smaller too. Cosmetically you may struggle to tell it from a Cayman S unless you know what to look for. If it's got black brake callipers, a black lip spoiler at the front, 17" wheels and a single exhaust at the rear, it's the cooking Cayman that's before your eyes.
What I couldn't get my head around was why Porsche reckoned it was worth £3,050 more than a Boxster. With the same engine, all but identical performance figures and with the not inconsiderable attraction of a convertible roof working in the Boxster's favour, why ask more for the Cayman? Could it actually be worth the extra, or was Porsche simply making sure that the Cayman was kept positioned above the Boxster and, in the process, coining itself a big, fat profit? I had to find out.
