Vehicle: 2008 Porsche Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1
Price as tested: CDN$89100

Performance: The Cayman, riding on the same platform as its Boxster roadster silibing, shares the same mid-ship layout. The S, however, differs from its lesser 2.7 liter silibing with its more powerful 3.4 liter flat-6 powertrain. Its not only uses DOHC as with all Porsche, it also comes with the advanced Variocam Plus that improves high rev breathing. This S has 295 horses and 251 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal. The throttle response is wonderfully responsive and smooth, without the usual abrupt tip-in as in Cayman’s immediate competitions. That’s even with the touch of the “sport” button that comes with Sport Choron Package. 251 lb/ft arrives as low as 4400rpm means there are lots of go in the bottom end, while 295 ponies serve well in both mid and up ranges. Mated to this very powertrain is either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic-S manumatic gearbox. The 6-speed manual has to be the sweetest manual gearbox I have ever driven. The throws are short and precise, gates well-defined. As with other Porsches, the clutch has plenty of feedback and engagement point is perfect. Not to mention Porsche flat-6′s aura engine note. This is simply an entertainment to the ears.

Handling: With the optional PASM, or Porsche Active Suspension Management. Any enthuisasts can choose whether they prefer the lowered suspension, tighter steering feel and more contoured sports seat with the touch of a “sport” button in the center console. The result is simply astounishing. Standard Cayman without this option already have excellent driving prowess. With this optional PASM, Cayman’s cornering ability is amazing to be exact. The cornering is flat and body rolls are non-existence even when driver pushed it beyond limits. Both under and oversteer are well-tempted thanks to Porsche Stability Management, or PSM, which has to be the most uninstrusive stability cotrol system anywhere in the planet. Steering is sharp and precise, with wonderful driver feedback. Driver can feel all the roughness on the pavement without transfer the kickback back to the steering wheel. All of these have come with a ride quality that is as supple and sublime as any luxury car does. Its firm without being harsh.

Brakes: There isn’t anything else have as much braking prowess as a Porsche, the same goes to the Cayman S. This S’s braking performance is amazing. With short stopping distance, a sure-footness pedal feel and the optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake provide fade-free stopping experience. The ABS only steps in necessarily while electronic brake force distribution has done a great job distributing brake forces during hard stops.

Interior: Along with the superb sports seats that are able to haul driver and its passenger comfortably. It even provides great thigh and side supports when cornering. The rest of the interior is typical Porsche’s form-follows-function. All the instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. Sport Choron Plus package’s swivel mounted time display for track driving is mounted on the center of the dashboard. All the buttons for PASM and PSM are mounted below automatic climate control for easy access. The stereo is smart enough to place above climate control for nice ergonomics. The rest of the interior is up to Porsche’s standards of materials and fit-and-finish.

Instead of having only 1 trunk as with Cayman’s peers. Cayman has both front and rear for luggages with its midship layout. It has enough space for 2 persons on a weekend trip getaway or simply for a grocery shopping.

Conclusion: The Cayman S is truly an engineering masterpiece. Its a Porsche midship sports car that has both grace, pace and space. All of these come in a package that is less expensive than a 911 while the premium over Boxster justifies every pennies.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Porsche Cayman S
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5