October 1, 2006 - Six years ago, Porsche came to the conclusion that their Boxster, and other roadsters like it, had pretty much peaked in sales in the market. The idea of a Boxster with a covered rear cargo space might appeal to those looking for extra ‘stuff’ space. And of course, a hardtop’s stiffer chassis would provide a better platform for more performance.

Et voila, the Cayman S.

Like the Boxster, the Cayman S shares with Big Brother, Porsche 911, a front-suspension design, rear-wheel-drive, and that legendary flat-six-cylinder configuration. Despite the 911’s additional rear seats, surprisingly, the mid-engine Cayman S and the rear-engine 911 are similar in size, with the exception of the Cayman S’s longer wheelbase.

But unlike MAD magazine’s Spy vs. Spy comic strip, where two Cold War-inspired international agents do whatever it takes to take out the other guy, Porsche says their new Cayman S was never designed to ‘take out’ its legendary 911.



According to Porsche, first year Cayman S sales have primarily come from outside the brand; neither Boxster owners moving up, nor 911 owners moving down.

Yet, when viewed from a purely driver’s perspective, which Porsche will make you take time away form your loved ones, work overtime to make the payments, or raise the hair on your arms on a Sunday morning coffee run?

Porsche Canada presented me with the unique opportunity to test both a 2006 Cayman S and 2006 911 Carrera S over a two week period. Midway, we’d rendezvous at Mosport racetrack and swap cars. This would let me experience both sports cars back-to-back on the same roads on the same day.

First, let’s get the big caveat out of the way.

Contrary to what Mrs. Autojournalist’s opinion is about my eyesight when it comes to trying to find the vacuum around the house, I’m not blind. Which means I can read that the price difference between a Cayman S and Carrera S works out to be a nicely optioned Mazda MX-5. But the difference is deeper than sheer dollars out on a twisty road.

The Cayman S’s mid-engine placement and longer wheelbase means turn in is sharper. It’s a bit of a no-brainer to drive fast: turn the wheel, goose the gas, go! It’s a rare occasion the Cayman S doesn’t feel planted to the tarmac.

Nonetheless, the 911 Carrera S is equal to the task.



It has fantastic grip. Amazing grip. But its rear weight bias means to get the most from this sublime supercar, advanced driving skills are required. If you use the gas pedal and brakes accordingly to shift the car’s weight appropriately, you can gain even more performance—whether accelerating, truing or braking. That extra, little bit of involved thought means Big Brother feels less immediate, heavier (which it is) with slower responses. One benefit is that the Carrera S is less raucous and more composed than the frenetic Caymans S at elevated speeds.

For many, there’s nothing quite like the sound of running up through the gears with a Porsche flat six engine. With the Cayman S, that sound is right behind your ears, reminiscent of air-cooled Porsches of old. Maybe because it’s farther away from the driver, but the 911 Carrera S’s six is comparatively muted and mellower; bass versus the Cayman S’s tenor. And although there is only 0.4 litres in displacement, 60 horsepower, and 46 pound-feet of torque separating the two Stuttgart sports cars —all numbers in the 911 Carrera S’s favour—Porsche claims Big Brother is a mere 0.3 quicker from naught to 96 km/h.

Even though the Cayman S has maximum torque generating between 4,400 to 6,000 r.p.m., it needs to spin its mill to generate max horsepower; 1,650 r.p.m. higher on the tach than the 911 Carrera S. You can feel the difference in the small of your back. In the Cayman S, you’ll be grabbing the six-speed manual more often. Whereas with 911 Carrera S, just sit back and let the long-stroke six do all the work and enjoy the Nadia Comaneci-like flexibility.

So, which is the better Porsche to drive car?

Overall, the 911 Carrera S may not be as efficient of a driver’s tool than the upstart Cayman S. But Big Brother has more character. For experienced drivers, the 911 Carrera S’s eccentric charms are (almost) priceless.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com



THE SPECS
2006 Porsche Cayman S
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 3-door hatchback
ENGINE: 3.4 L flat-six
POWER: 295 hp @ 6,250 r.p.m.; 250 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 1,339 kgs
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS and ESP
0-96 km/h: 5.1
FUEL ECONOMY: L/100 km 15.3 city, 7.8 hwy.
BASE PRICE: $83,900

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupé
ENGINE: 3.8 L flat-six
POWER: 355 hp @ 4,600 r.p.m.; 296 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 1,420 kgs
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS and ESP
0-96 km/h: 4.8
FUEL ECONOMY: L/100 km 13.1 city, 8.4 hwy.
BASE PRICE: $119,000

© National Post 2006. This article originally appeared in The National Post's Driving.