November 3, 2006 - By Porsche defying convention and launching last year's Cayman S first, you knew a lesser-powered, non-S model would follow suit. Those versed in Porsche-speak recognize the S addendum signifies the better-performing model within a range; the script Turbo followed by an S is even more desirable. So what to make of the newly introduced 2007 Porsche Cayman, notably without the S? Inevitably, Porsche prognosticators had to ask if stripping the 19th letter of the alphabet off the Cayman's rear deck lid is equal to stripping the S off Superman's cape or if the $13,700 less Porsche is asking for the naked Cayman communicates that it's just not detuned but also dumbed down.

Whereas the higher-performing Cayman S has 295 horsepower, 250 pound-feet of torque and 3.6 litres of traditional Porsche flat-six engine to play with, the cooking Cayman uses the smaller 2.7L unit taken directly from the base convertible Cayman (a.k.a. the Boxster) with only 245 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque.

Porsche charges an additional $6,000 for the Cayman-without-an-S over the base Boxster (another act of defying convention). It also claims that the coupe is five kilograms lighter than the convertible, yet zero to 100 kilometres an hour is the same at 5.8 seconds.

Back to being compared with the Cayman S, the essential Cayman's rear springs are softer, anti-roll bars are slimmer and wheels and tires are one inch smaller in diameter at 17 inches (although the test car came with optional 18s, and 19s are available). It's also down a gear from the S in the manual gearbox with just five forward cogs. Although exterior differences are subtle, Porschephiles will notice a single exhaust outlet, black instead of red brake calipers and a black front lip spoiler. Oh, yeah, there's also that missing S on the back of the car.

But before your shoulders start to drop in disappointment that the lesser of the two Caymans is a decontented dud, keep in mind that it shares a mid-engine placement that delivers high levels of stability at highway speeds, laser sharp turn-in at the helm and a rigid structure that deals with our ravaged roads confidently. If all one ever did was drive the base Cayman at 8/10s along serene public roads, from inside the cockpit one would never feel as if one is in the more parsimonious of the two Porsches. In fact, it's one of the most pure driving cars available. So, it was off to Calabogie Motorsports Park to further prod the base Cayman in a less confining environment.



As in the Cayman S, the base car has superb steering feel. The front suspension easily predicts its intentions so that understeer can be managed at the limit. But just when you want to eradicate that push with a healthy stab at the throttle, the cooking Cayman frantically asks for more power. Throttle reaction under 4,600 rpm is just OK.

All the power in the 2.7 is at the top of the rev band, so when you're dealing with some of the uphill straightaways that follow most of the slower corners at the Calabogie track, you need to really cane the Cayman and spend a great deal of time in the upper part of the tachometer.

Don't get me wrong: The 2.7L mill sounds just as satisfying as the 3.6L. However, suffice it to say, the need to be in the right cog only exasperates the lack of a sixth gear. Not as snickety-snick as the S model's wonderful box is, the required wider holes in the regular Cayman's gear ratios bring to light the lack of low-end grunt.

Of course, if the Superman-like Cayman S didn't exist, we wouldn't have such a high benchmark against which to match the base version. And Porsche's accounting department knows there's always a demand for cheaper -- er, less expensive -- Porsches.

But with a very similarly performing Boxster considerably lower in price, it's hard to recommend the newest Cayman. The reason to buy a Porsche is to enjoy and revel in its ability to be driven hard, on the road or on the track. For those who love to drive, the base Cayman's imbalance of too much chassis and not enough power will surely disappoint on a regular basis. For that reason alone, you're better to save your toonies for the Cayman S.

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



Just the facts…

Build quality 
Features 
Performance
Fun-to-drive
Overall value  

Type of vehicle Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat sports car
Engine 2.7L DOHC horizontally opposed six-cylinder
Power 245 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 201 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Tires P235/40R18 front, P265/40R18 rear
Brakes Four-wheel ventilated disc with ABS
Price: base/as tested $69,600/$72,675
Destination charge $1,085
Fuel economy L/100 km 10.1 city, 6.8 hwy.
Standard features Driver and passenger front thorax and head air bags, power windows, on-board computer with continuous indication of mileage, time and speed, digital audio system with in-dash CD and nine-speaker sound package
Options 18-inch wheels and tires ($1,730)

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