A different beast

You’ve got to hand it to Porsche’s engineers: they’re a talented bunch capable of turning out cars as disparate as a full-size SUV and a two-seat roadster. Somewhere in that range is the Cayman, a compact two-seat coupe. Whatever you do, don’t call it a mini 911. The Cayman is a different beast. As is the 911 these days, which has matured into a blisteringly quick Grand Tourer.

It’s still capable of running rings round most rivals, but if you want to experience the abilities of a more agile machine with a smaller footprint, you’ll need a Cayman.

Now in its second generation, the Cayman, like the latest Boxster, is the product of a wealth of detailed improvements. From changes to suspension and track to subtle aerodynamic tweaks and extensive powertrain revisions, it promises a more involving and exhilarating driving and ownership experience than before.

Central to that boast is Porsche’s 271bhp 2.7 and 320bhp 3.4-litre flat-six petrol engines for the Cayman and Cayman S respectively. Although downsized from 2.9-litres for the regular Cayman, the new 2.7 unit delivers improvements in every important area. It’s also surprisingly clean and frugal too (34.5mpg and 197g/km CO₂).

With torque aplenty from both units plus the option of a naughty-sounding sports exhaust, the hardest decision to make is which car makes more sense.

In truth, both offer an embarrassment of riches in performance terms. The stock Cayman’s abilities, however, are likely to prove more accessible in the real world for most drivers.

It might ‘only’ be capable of zero to 62mph in 5.7 seconds with a manual gearbox, and reach a paltry 165mph top speed, but that’s easily enough to get you into trouble. For the record, the Cayman S will hit 175mph and race to 62mph in 4.7 seconds.

As an everyday proposition, the Cayman, irrespective of engine choice, is a good one. With a capacious boot at both ends plus a cabin with numerous storage areas, living with it is no chore.

Forward visibility is good, as is the surprisingly generous level of standard kit that’s easily on par with your average executive saloon.

But the Cayman isn’t about playing it safe, though. At its core it’s a car designed to entertain, and entertain it does. For all the various changes, firing up the downsized 2.7 flat-six engine still delivers Porsche’s trademark rasping idle. On the move, the car’s ride is a clever blend of compliance to deal with the potholes and a measured firmness to ensure pitch and roll is all but eliminated at speed.

The elastic nature of the 2.7 engine’s delivery means you’re rewarded aurally and in ground-covering terms when you hold on to each gear. The electric power steering – first seen in the current 911 and then Boxster – does a fine job of filtering out road surface imperfections and the inevitable kickback, while ensuring driver confidence remains high.

As a package, the Cayman both encourages and rewards skilled, brisk driving. If you drive like a hooligan with little thought for the consequences, the Cayman will bite. However, play to the car’s strengths and the result is the ability to place it accurately for a corner and enjoy the full extent of the 2.7 engine’s talents.

Experimenting with the stability controls allows you to safely vary the amount of grip at your disposal, and can lead to some entertaining slip angles through the bends. These situations highlight exactly how good the new electric steering set-up is, so do yourself and favour and ignore the old school critics.

And what about the Cayman S? In reality, you can do the same things only much faster – and a little louder. If the 911 doesn’t float your boat, the Cayman S is probably a better bet.

For others, the 2.7 will be plenty fast enough and allow them to splash some cash on the many attractive options – bigger alloys that, surprisingly, don’t spoil the ride or the many trim and infotainment extras. And, of course, there’s Porsche’s super-slick PDK auto gearbox.

There’s an awful lot to like about Porsche’s second-generation Cayman. Aesthetically it remains an understated yet immediately recognisable form, while performance-wise it continues to deliver on two fronts: as a docile daily driver and an exhilarating, focused sports coupe.

At a glance

Performance
Maximum speed 165mph, 0-62mph 5.7 seconds.

Economy
34.3mpg.

C02
192g/km.

Engine
2.7-litre petrol unit developing 271bhp.

Transmission
6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving rear wheels.