2006 Porsche Cayman S
By David Nguyen

Porsche has recently added a new model to its line up called the Cayman. It's essentially a hardtop version of the Boxster S with a 3.4 liter flax six (295 hp) instead of the Boxster's 3.2.

The styling is interesting because it looks a lot like other Porsches - but not really. We're not used to seeing a Porsche with a rear end like this. It's quite distinctive, though I haven't decided if I like it. In the side profile view, the roofline slightly resembles a Nissan 350Z, though the tail is more rounded.

Because of it's mid-engine layout it has an engine where the 911's back "seat" is normally found, and a trunk where the 911's engine is located. The wheelbase is also longer to accommodate the engine. Porsche did a commendable job to bring it in under 3,000 pounds curb weight. With a starting price just under $60,000, a six speed manual gearbox, a stiff chassis, and a ceramic brake option, this is a serious sports car. Even the brake calipers at both ends of the car are within the wheelbase (that detail always gets my attention), decreasing the polar moment of inertia.

Perusing all the specs I couldn't help but notice how similar a vehicle this is, in terms of layout and dimensions, to the original Acura NSX. Unlike the Acura, however, I think this car is going to do very well in the market in the coming years because it offers both performance and has true Porsche DNA that's been proven with both the Boxster and the 911 series. Not only that, I think that it might outperform the 911 on the GT racing circuit because its layout is inherently more stable. Remember the Porsche 911-GT1 race car from 1998? There's a reason why it was mid-engine.

Prediction: Given a reasonable amount of development and depending on rules, my money is on the Cayman to proliferate as the GT racing Porsche of choice.

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Pictures of the Porsche Cayman S

Posted October 7, 2005
Photos courtesy of Rsportscars