Base 2dr Rear-Wheel Drive Coupe
2009 Porsche Cayman
2009 marks the first redesign of the Porsche Cayman. But wait, you say, it looks like last year's car so where's the redesign? To the naked eye it's only in the ends of the bodywork and some wheels. The primary changes are to the engines and transmissions, and upgrades to suspension and other systems, in short, to the primary ingredients that make a Porsche a Porsche. Porsche styling rarely changes over time. The basic shapes of the 914, 924 (and 944 and 968), and 928 were always the same, as have been the Boxster and Cayman, and, of course, the 911. Adjustments are made over time for technological and performance improvements, or government mandates, hence the evolutionary appearance changes. Underneath it's a different story, however.
The 2009 Porsche Cayman gets a 265-horsepower 2.9-liter flat-six, replacing last year's 245-hp 2.7-liter engine. The 2009 Cayman S features a 3.4-liter engine, now boasting 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, a dramatic increase over the previous 295 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque and just 25 horsepower shy of a 911 Carrera. Both 2009 Boxster engines are more efficient than last year, and if every Porsche car in the world was switched off no measuring equipment would detect a change in C02 levels.
Transmissions are upgraded for 2009. A six-speed manual now comes standard on both Boxster models, and Porsche's newest, most sophisticated, seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, called the PDK, replaces last year's six-speed Tiptronic automatic. For the first time, a limited-slip differential joins the performance option list.
Among colors and interior trims alone there are thousands of combinations so exclusivity is well within reach; Porsche's line of Exclusive options and paint hues to order merely expand the realm of possibilities. They also expand the budget since you can get almost anything on a Cayman but doing so can as much as double the price.
You can argue the Cayman is merely a fixed-roof Boxster but we disagree. The Cayman has its own feel and character, and resets the Boxster's benchmarks a notch higher. It can serve as a luxury grand-touring car for two with heated and ventilated leather seats, Bose sound system, and navigation system. It can serve as a sports car with superb driving dynamics, wonderful sounds, and excellent driver involvement. It can serves as an entertaining commuter car with decent mileage, a view out, dual trunks and drive-everyday-versatility. It can serve as a weekend racer with adjustable suspension, advanced drivetrains, and racing-style brakes. Its two trunks offer significantly more cargo space than the Boxster does. Plus, the Cayman is one of the best-looking sports cars on the road.
Potential Cayman shoppers may also look at the Audi TTS, BMW Z4, Lotus Exige, Nissan 370Z or GT-R, Mercedes SLK AMG and maybe the Chevrolet Corvette or Dodge Viper.
Full Review
Full Review
Porsche styling rarely changes over time. The basic shapes of the 914, 924 (and 944 and 968), and 928 were always the same, as have been the Boxster and Cayman, and, of course, the 911. Adjustments are made over time for technological and performance improvements, or government mandates, hence the evolutionary appearance changes. Underneath it's a different story, however.
The 2009 Porsche Cayman gets a 265-horsepower 2.9-liter flat-six, replacing last year's 245-hp 2.7-liter engine. The 2009 Cayman S features a 3.4-liter engine, now boasting 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, a dramatic increase over the previous 295 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque and just 25 horsepower shy of a 911 Carrera. Both 2009 Boxster engines are more efficient than last year, and if every Porsche car in the world was switched off no measuring equipment would detect a change in C02 levels.
Transmissions are upgraded for 2009. A six-speed manual now comes standard on both Boxster models, and Porsche's newest, most sophisticated, seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, called the PDK, replaces last year's six-speed Tiptronic automatic. For the first time, a limited-slip differential joins the performance option list.
Among colors and interior trims alone there are thousands of combinations so exclusivity is well within reach; Porsche's line of Exclusive options and paint hues to order merely expand the realm of possibilities. They also expand the budget since you can get almost anything on a Cayman but doing so can as much as double the price.
You can argue the Cayman is merely a fixed-roof Boxster but we disagree. The Cayman has its own feel and character, and resets the Boxster's benchmarks a notch higher. It can serve as a luxury grand-touring car for two with heated and ventilated leather seats, Bose sound system, and navigation system. It can serve as a sports car with superb driving dynamics, wonderful sounds, and excellent driver involvement. It can serves as an entertaining commuter car with decent mileage, a view out, dual trunks and drive-everyday-versatility. It can serve as a weekend racer with adjustable suspension, advanced drivetrains, and racing-style brakes. Its two trunks offer significantly more cargo space than the Boxster does. Plus, the Cayman is one of the best-looking sports cars on the road.
Potential Cayman shoppers may also look at the Audi TTS, BMW Z4, Lotus Exige, Nissan 370Z or GT-R, Mercedes SLK AMG and maybe the Chevrolet Corvette or Dodge Viper.
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| Engine | 2.9L H-6 |
| MPG | 19 City / 27 Hwy |
| Seating | 2 Passengers |
| Transmission | 6-spd man w/OD |
| Power | 265 @ 7200 rpm |
| Drivetrain | rear-wheel |
