Driving is a special privilege. Driving well is a gift. Driving a Porsche is divine. Driving a Porsche well is a divine gift that few can claim to have had the opportunity to do.
I've had this opportunity on a number of occasions in my 15-year career. I can tell you all that I've yet to become bored of these opportunities. This is especially true when the opportunity involves navigating some of the best road cars money can buy on a track.
Whether on a closed circuit or the road to the nearest shopping mall, the 2014 Porsche Cayman turns the mundane into a rewarding, satisfying activity. Picture your best friend, how he or she makes you feel. How he or she is always there to support you and how much fun you have together. That, my friends, is the Porsche Cayman.
What is a Porsche Cayman?
The 2014 Porsche Cayman is the budding gentleman's daily performance car or the gentleman's weekend track toy when the daily grind is handled by a regular 4-door saloon (aka, not a
Panamera).
The Porsche Cayman landed on the market in 2006 and was immediately dubbed the lesser 911, however, with the redesigned 981 car, it no longer sits in the iconic 911's shadow. Porsche has made its entry-level performance coupe as desirable as ever.
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| The Porsche Cayman landed on the market in 2006 and was immediately dubbed the lesser 911. (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
2014 Porsche Cayman Price and Specs
The 2014 Porsche Cayman can be selected in one of two trims. Said trims are defined in large part by the flat 6-cylinder engine that sits aft the passengers.
The base Cayman, which starts at $59,900, includes a 2.7L that generates 275 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. Not a slouch, this Cayman reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds with the 6-speed gearbox or 5.6 with the 7-cog PDK. Top speed is limited to 266 km/h (264 with the PDK).
My tester was a fairly basic Cayman with only a few options and retailed for $62,720.
The S commands $72,900 off the cuff and gets around with a 3.4L good for 325 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The Cayman S will charge to 100 km/h in 5 seconds flat with the 6-speed manual or 4.9 with the 7-speed PDK. Top speed is limited to 283 km/h (281 with the PDK).
The Cayman is a mid-engine 2-seater coupe that features electromechanical steering.
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| Not a slouch, this Cayman reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds with the 6-speed gearbox. (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Driving the 2014 Porsche Cayman
With all due respect to Porsche, I compare driving the Cayman to driving a
Mazda3. It has nothing to do with performance, only the ease and familiarity that comes with spending time at the wheel of a “regular” car.
The 2014 Porsche Cayman is instantly adaptable, which is surprising when one considers what this car is and capable of. The shifter falls in hand; the pedals are tailor-made, same for the driving position. From this point on, everything gets better.
The horizontally opposed sixer growls to life and quickly settles, the shifter slips into 1st and off one goes. Immediately, if you've ever had the good fortune of driving an S, the Cayman doesn't feel as eager. This is where the negative comparisons end.
The 2.7L is in full form from the onset when in the right gear. Despite its relatively low torque figure, its 1,310 kg (2,882 lbs) is easily overcome. The effortless acceleration belies the fact that before you know it, the Cayman is progressing at a good clip.
Backing and supporting every Porsche are steering and braking that many other makes emulate. The electrically assisted steering feels right in nearly all situations. On occasion, a lull in the assistance occurs but always at low speeds. Otherwise, precision and response are on tap. Same for the brakes: they are powerful and perfectly matched to the car's immense handling abilities.
This is the 2014 Porsche Cayman's calling card; sticking to the road. Always flat, constantly alert, the Cayman snuggles the tarmac with, once more, uncanny ease. Able to match composure with serious grip, the small Porsche is never out of sorts.
Every occasion I found to take the Cayman would turn into a small rally. Heel-and- toeing begged to be repeated in a needlessly exaggerated way. Rapid turn-ins and smashing-good brakes make this car better than sex to drive. Yes, I said it.
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| The 2014 Porsche Cayman is instantly adaptable, which is surprising when one considers what this car is and capable of. (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Inside and Out of the 2014 Porsche Cayman
Let's not forget how good the new 2014 Porsche Cayman sits now. The previous 987 model was far more feminine, and although an incredible tool for driving quickly, failed to excite visually other than via its famous logos.
The new car is chiselled and hunky, and with the right set of wheels (19” and up) it looks positively handsome. I'd go so far as to say that it gives the fabled 911 a run for its money.
Where the cabin is concerned, the latest Cayman gets what every other Porsche received: a new dashboard and centre console first seen in the original Panamera. As always, fit, finish, and the ignition to the left of the steering column make the Cayman's interior an expressly special place to spend any amount of time.
Also making everything look easy is the Cayman's twin boots, which can carry a notably large quantity of gear. You can't fit a bicycle in the Cayman, but through Porsche Tequipment, a bike carrier should be available soon enough.
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| As always, fit, finish, and the ignition to the left of the steering column make the Cayman's interior an expressly special place to spend any amount of time. (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Comparing the 2014 Porsche Cayman
The 2014 Porsche Cayman plays in numerous leagues not only because of its performance, but how it can be optioned out. For fun (and dreams), I spec'd out an S with all the best bits and topped $100,000...
From all points of view, the Cayman rivals everything from the Audi TT to the
Chevrolet Corvette, then on to the Jaguar F-Type and ending somewhere around the soon-to-come BMW M4. If you're in the market for any of these at the moment, I hate you.
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