Overview Two-passenger, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car.
Pros Tremendous handling dynamics and good performance when compared to competitors.
Cons Options are very pricey. Not great for taller drivers.
Value for money Fair
What would I change? Make front proximity sensors standard to keep from marring the front spoiler on curbs.
When the Cayman first arrived in 2006 it caused quite a stir. While many see it as merely a fixed roof variant of the Boxster roadster, in reality it is much more than that.
The Cayman offers a lightweight GT that delivers world-class handling due to its mid-engine layout. In fact, the Cayman S has proven quicker around many a track than its iconic big brother the venerable 911. For this reason many believe that the company’s product planners have resisted upping the car’s performance potential for fear of robbing sales from the pricier 911 line.
Last year the second generation Cayman arrived with slightly larger dimensions, but the new car was lighter than the outgoing model, as well as more powerful and more fuel-efficient.
For 2015 Porsche is adding a new GTS variant to the Cayman catalog, powered by a revised version of the proven 3.4-liter flat-six engine that now generates 340 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque. This is a gain of 15 horsepower and seven foot-pounds of torque over that delivered by the engine in a Cayman S.
A six-speed manual transmission comes as standard equipment, but I suspect that the majority of buyers will select the optional dual-clutch, seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission when ordering the car. This proven gearbox features lightweight, steering-wheel mounted shift paddles which react so quickly that the average driver is able to execute gear changes faster than an experienced racing driver can row through a manual gearbox.
Porsche claims that the Cayman GTS will execute runs to 100 kilometres per hour from a standstill in 4.9 seconds in cars like our tester that are fitted with the manual transmission, while PDK equipped models are able to accomplish the feat a touch faster in 4.8-seconds. The torque band is quite wide, so there is always power on tap when you drop a gear and step on the throttle.
During my time with the Cayman GTS I managed to explore some of my favourite twisty back country roads in the Fraser Valley, and the car proved to be very quick, agile, and prepared to dance through corners like a true race-bred automobile. The car has been equipped with over-sized, vented disc brake rotors with 4-piston calipers to help guarantee that the car will stop in short order. The response of these big binders was very consistent, and they remained fade free during my evaluation.
While the horsepower and torque gains are quite small, I must admit that the GTS felt more composed than the last Cayman S I drove, and it seemed willing to allow me to carry more speed into corners. The Cayman is such a perfectly balanced machine (46/54 weight balance) that it will do as asked when you throw it into a tight turn, and track straight and true as if it were on rails.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard equipment on the GTS, as is the Sport Chrono package. This potent combination of technologies permit the driver to quickly set-up the car at the touch of a button to best suit their individual driving intentions by raising shift points, sharpening throttle response, and firming up the dampers.
GTS styling enhancements include more aggressive aerodynamics with revised front and rear fascias featuring enlarged air intakes with matte-black trim, and a functional rear diffuser. Unique black headlamp surround, dark tinted daytime running lights, and smoked rear tail lamp lenses give the car a tuner look, as does the devilishly loud, stainless steel sport exhaust system (which features twin black exhaust tips). The Cayman GTS rolls on lightweight, 20-inch alloy wheels painted a matte Platinum colour and wrapped in high-performance Goodyear F1 tires.
The design and layout of the Cayman’s interior was thoroughly revamped with the arrival of the second generation car, and the look and feel is decidedly upmarket. The GTS treatment adds a heavy dose of Alcantara to the passenger cabin, as the suede-like material is used for the headliner, on the centre console, and for seat inserts. The grip friendly material is also wrapped around the thick-rimmed three-spoke SportDesign steering wheel.
A dynamic automobile like the Cayman GTS requires advanced seating to ensure that the car’s occupants will remain in place during extreme driving conditions. Porsche has equipped the GTS with phenomenal sport bucket seats (Sport Seats Plus) that offer excellent support and a high level of comfort. These heavily bolstered buckets feature high contrast red stitching and have the GTS logo embroidered in the headrest.
The cockpit design offers surprising visibility fore and aft for a sports car, and the high centre console and compact instrument cluster place all controls and switchgear within easy reach of the driver’s hands and eyes. As is the case with most Porsches, an oversized tachometer takes centre stage, however, this one is coloured a very bold Carmine Red.
As a larger individual I often find two passenger automobiles a bit tight, as rear seat travel is usually limited by a rear bulkhead. Surprisingly, the Cayman offered me more real estate to stretch out in than the new Corvette or the Jaguar F-Type Coupe. In fact, once I found the perfect seating position for my six-foot-two inch tall body and size 14 feet I found the driver’s seat of the Cayman GTS a very comfortable place to be.
The Cayman GTS is an excellent automobile. It is a pleasure to drive at the limit, but just as adept at performing the role of a daily runabout.
The Specs
Type of vehicle Rear-wheel-drive, mid-engine sports car
Engine 3.4-litre, 24-valve, flat-6 cylinder
Power 340 hp @ 7,400 rpm; 280 lb.-ft. @ 4,750-5,800 rpm
Transmission 6-speed manual transmission
Brakes Four-wheel vented disc with ABS
Tires (Front/rear) P235/35 ZR20; P265/35 ZR20
Price: base / as tested $85,800 / $100,235
Destination charge $1,085
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km): City: 12.1; Hwy: 8.9
Standard features Six-speed manual transmission with dual mass flywheel, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Antilock Brakes (ABS), Automatic Braking Differential (ABD), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Auto Start/Stop, 8-airbags (front, knee, head and thorax), Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP), stainless steel exhaust, 3-spoke steering wheel (height and reach adjustable), variable ratio power steering, speed activated rear spoiler, Universal Audio Interface, Bluetooth, Bi-Xenon headlights, remote entry alarm, Homelink, cruise control, CDR AM/FM/CD radio with 7 speakers, 235-watt Sound Package Plus, floor mats, power windows/ mirrors.
Options Rhodium Silver Metallic paint ($820); Black leather interior includes Alcantara Package / GTS embroidery (N/C), Carmine Red instrument faces (N/C), GTS Communication Package ($4,200); Park Assist (front and rear) with reversing camera ($1,730); Convenience Package ($1,030); Infotainment Package with Bose ($4,560); Platinum painted wheels ($1,010).
