2014 Porsche Cayman S Quick Review
A second take on a favourite and yes, we’re still
smitten
Press launches can be a little hurried, giving you very
little time to live with a car for a few days and to start picking away at the
little niggles that turn into big gripes. A second take always gives you a
chance to scan over things you may have missed the first time around and really
let things soak in.
Porsche Cayman S
front three-quarter view
The Cayman S remains one of the best cars we've tested and,
despite the launch of the GTS earlier this year, is still one of the best
performance cars on the market. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating,
that you really need to present a convincing case for the 911 to really be able
to justify the jump up in price and move back in engine location.
Porsche Cayman S
back view
The new car is all grown-up and filled out in all the right
places, and it even shares a lot of its architecture with its bigger brother.
Lightweight alloy makes up 44 percent of the Cayman’s body-in-white,
specifically, the front and rear body, the floorpan, the doors, and the front
and rear decklids. Porsche says this more than offsets the added mass of new
equipment and larger wheels.
Porsche Cayman S
interior
The S comes fitted with a DOHC 24-valve 3.4-litre flat-6
that makes 325 hp and 370 Nm of torque. For a car of its size and weight,
that’s plenty for a lot of fun. This test model came fitted with the optional
PDK transmission but lacked the Sport Chrono package and rorty exhaust we
recommended during the launch. That said, it still packs a decent wallop and
creates enough noise for bystanders to stop and stare at.
Porsche Cayman S
engine
The car still suffers criticism as a second choice to the
911 by those who know no better. If you’ve never driven one, then you really
must before uttering another word against the Cayman.
In fact, the Cayman has more in com¬mon with the mid-8os and
early 90s 911s than the current flagship models do. In terms of power delivery,
balance and sheer driving pleasure, the Cayman S ticks every box. Twice.
Porsche Cayman S
wheel detail
And all of that for just USD60,000? It sounds like you’d
have to be crazy to look past it without at least taking one for a spin.
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Specifications
·
Vehicle type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 3-door
hatchback
·
Base price: $64,750
·
Engines: DOHC 24-valve 3.4-liter flat-6, 325 hp, 272 lb-ft
·
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
with manual shifting mode
Dimensions:
·
Wheelbase: 97.4 in
·
Length: 172.4 in
·
Width: 70.9 in height: 50.9-51.0
·
Curb weight: 3100 lb
Performance:
·
Zero to 60 mph: 4.1-5.4 sec
·
Standing ¼-mile: 12.5-14.0 sec
·
Top speed: 164-175 mph
Fuel economy:
·
Epa city/highway driving: 20-22/28-32 mpg
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