Porsche has the ability and knowhow to make less than ideally configured cars handle perfectly. The Cayman is what happens when there is no compromise.

The chassis tells you exactly how much more you can push.’

THe Cayman’s so good, you instantly think you’re a better driver.’

Sometimes all it takes is a whiff, a glimpse or a taste. Sometimes genius, sheer brilliance is so obvious, so larger than life and so in your face, it is impossible to miss.

Morning shoot done, pictures sitting happily in Ashley’s Nikon, I take off in the Cayman S for a voyage of discovery. The questions that need answering are different from the normal ones. The Cayman’s reputation, you see, precedes it. Widely acknowledged as a contender for the world’s best driver’s car, this Porsche is so loaded with expectation, I fear the experience will be… well, ‘underwhelming’. And there isn’t really that much time. Luckily it is 0730 hrs on a lazy Sunday morning, meaning the only Mumbai-ites we have for company are inquisitive crows and the odd stray dog.
This is the Cayman S, the more powerful 295bhp version of Porsche’s new, mid-engined sports car. Settling in, my senses are immediately assaulted by familiar Porsche characteristics, things that make these sports cars more appealing. The beautifully engineered doors open with a measured ‘clop’, the long seats are perfectly padded and well bolstered and driver comfort levels are very high too; pedals, Tiptronic gear lever and steering are placed exactly where they should be. And there is enough space, headroom and legroom for tall drivers.
Twist the key and the large, flat-six motor breaks the silence of the morning with a throaty, lusty ROOOMF ROOMFF. Sitting only inches behind me, six big bore pistons churn fully synthetic motor oil, as the Cayman S snatches forward aggressively on merely a hint
of throttle.
I head for familiar roads, familiar corners, places where I know every dip and bump. Using more throttle now, the Cayman’s powertrain responds instantly, and mid-range punch is strong, much stronger than expected. And wow, there is more meat, more zing in the top half of the powerband too! This motor is basically a Boxster S motor enlarged to 3.4 litres, but with the 911’s VarioCam variable valve timing. The pace however feels more junior 911 than grown up Boxster. Zero to a 100 comes up in 6.1 seconds, not strictly supercar performance, but very quick all the same, certainly fast enough to get me grinning stupidly. And I’m totally hooked on that raw thrashy snarl the Cayman S makes when its motor is wound till close to the redline.
Ahh… familiar corners coming up, time for the litmus test. Of course I can’t go flat out and the Cayman must have doubled up laughing, as the Porsche barely registers it as a corner. But already I can feel the car’s massive ability. Like an athlete you see limbering up, stretching, the Cayman S feels relaxed but with a very high level of enthusiasm, almost bounding into corners. More right foot the next time. Empty circle ahead, I can be a little more aggressive. Beautifully balanced, with an impossible-to-ruffle stance and an incredibly direct steering, the Cayman goes around as if it’s being sucked into the ground. I keep at the circle and faster as grip turns to slip; still no sign of nervousness, no edgy, snatchy stuff. Just beautifully predictable off-throttle slip, which is easily caught with a dab of opposite lock from the razor-sharp steering.
The Cayman’s chassis with the rigidity-enhancing roof is 100 percent stiffer than the Boxster it is based on, and this shows. Onwards to a 90-degree left, followed by a 90-degree right. Sharp throttle responses, incredibly direct steering, fantastic body control – this car is hitting the bull’s eye predictably. It rockets through the first left and then darts right with the agility and balance of a cheetah running down an antelope. Communication from the steering is so good, you know exactly how much more you can push, how much more grip there is in the rear tyres as well as just how much extra throttle to apply when you need to neutralise that hint of front wheel scrub. The truly great part is that you absolutely never hear ‘oh-oh-oh’, ‘eeeasy does it’ or the likes from this car. This Porsche actually encourages you to go faster, and is nowhere near as intimidating as the rear-engined 911.
It’s no surprise, really. Porsche make the most unlikely of cars handle as fluently as ballerinas. Their almost two ton Cayenne is as well balanced as some fast saloons, and can anyone else really figure out how to make a supercar with upwards of 350bhp, the motor slung out over the rear wheels?
Of course, the Cayman is not as pretty as the 911, which as far as hierarchy is concerned, remains the Porsche. It lacks the latter’s gorgeous, just-right lines, the perfect proportions and the spot-on detailing. Still, it has its angles. Basically a Boxster with a roof, the new longer nose and tight, bubble-like roof however remind of a Le Mans racer. And it figures – they’re mid-engined too. Some also like its squat looks from the rear.
It’s obvious the Cayman is a sibling of the Boxster from the inside too. Multiple porthole-like vents, familiar but beautiful dials and that silver ‘bikini’ centre console with tiny buttons. The spokes of the steering also have a plasticky, artificial feel to them, and don’t look great either – disappointing, as this is the part of the interior you’re ‘hands on’ with the most. Still, the Cayman S is well equipped, with a CD system, six airbags, a super stability control system that keeps out of the way for the most part and power seats. It’s a car you can easily use on a daily basis, but remember there are no rear seats. Luggage space is split front and rear, but you can only use soft luggage. Ride quality is stiff too, and you do feel many of the bumps, but it’s not really uncomfortable or unliveable in. This is with the adaptive dampers in normal, though, and not in sport mode; the latter is not really useable on anything but a track.
A brief drive is enough to send the Cayman S straight towards the top of the ‘most wanted’ list, above many faster, more visually appealing cars. An absolute delight behind the wheel, this car will have you hunting out the great driving roads for repeated runs. It’s almost as quick as a Carrera 911, far friendlier to drive and possibly more fun to boot. Of course
there will be certain poor quality roads you will have to avoid or crawl over, service options are limited, the auto has only five speeds and at Rs 53 lakh, it is not cheap either. But be under no illusion, this is one of the great Porsches, already a classic.

FactFile
Price Rs 53 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai)
Power 295bhp @ 6250rpm
Torque 34.67kgm @ 4400-6000rpm

Length 4,341mm
Width 1,801mm
Height 1,305mm
W’base 2,415mm
Weight 1,340kg
Fuel tank 64 litres

Engine Flat six, 3386cc
Installation Mid, longitudinal, RWD
Compression ratio 11.1:1
Specific output 87.1bhp/ litre
Bore/stroke 96mm/ 78mm
Gearbox type 5-speed, auto

Front suspension McPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension McPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front brakes Cross drilled, ventilated discs
Rear brakes Cross drilled, ventilated discs
Front tyres 235/ 40 ZR18
Rear tyres 265/ 40 ZR18

First verdict
Leading protagonist for the best handling sportscar in the world.