Overview

The Porsche Cayman is now in its third generation and just like a good wine it is getting better as it matures. The chassis is new, the wheelbase is 60mm longer, it’s 30kg lighter and 40 per cent stiffer. The six-cylinder petrol engines are more powerful too. This without a doubt is the best version of the Cayman to date.

A pair of powerful engines

It’ll be available in both standard Cayman and S spec, the former having a 2.7-litre engine and the latter a 3.4-litre unit. The gearbox choices are a six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox known as PDK.

Power ranges from 275bhp in the standard car to 325bhp in the S. The former will hit 62mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds using a manual gearbox and 5.6 seconds with the PDK ‘box (or 5.4 seconds when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono package and PDK gearbox). The more powerful S does the same sprint in 5 seconds flat with a manual gearbox and 4.9 seconds with the PDK ‘box, or 4.7 seconds with Sport Chrono package.

As well as being fairly fast, the new Cayman is far more efficient than the out-going model. Thanks to energy-saving measures such as stop/start, electrically assisted power steering and brake energy recuperation, the standard Cayman returns a claimed 36.7mpg on the combined cycle when fitted with the PDK gearbox. It emits 180g/km of carbon dioxide.

At the other end of the scale the least efficient is the manual S model, which returns 32.1mpg and emits 206g/km of CO2. Although not as low as many run-of-the-mill cars, that’s pretty impressive for a sports-orientated machine.

Many optional extras available

To make the Cayman quicker still you can tick the box on the optional extras list marked Sport Chrono Package. This nets you a series of upgrades including launch control, and reduces the 0-62mph time by 0.2 seconds.

Of course, being a premium German car you won’t be surprised to learn there’s a long list of optional extras available to personalise your Cayman or make it more exciting. Features include the excellent PASM adaptive damping system, which gives the driver the option of Normal or Sport modes for the chassis, further enhancing the car’s versatility. You can also specify things like adaptive cruise control and a surround sound stereo if that’s your kind of thing.

The Porsche Cayman is the perfect machine for the majority of drivers – it is quick, offers fairly decent fuel figures and is so comfortable you could use it as a daily driver. The Cayman is a ‘proper’ Porsche; it offers serious driving fun for much less money than a 911 would set you back.

High performance GT4

A 380bhp track-focused version of the Cayman was launched in 2015. It took the Cayman’s mid-engined concept and added more downforce, traction and power.

Read the full Porsche Cayman review to see why we rate this car so highly.