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Porsche and shove
Porsche's Cayman has received a myriad plaudits since its launch. Indeed What Car? magazine still calls it "brilliant" saying that it's arguably the best sports car on the road.
The Cayman is a hard top development of the convertible Boxster and the "S" model has boosted power, a six-speed gearbox, bigger wheels and extras like a twin central exhaust and metallic bumper trim.
It's a purposeful and noticeable car in its own right, and hardly for the shy or retiring. So, unless you're the outgoing type who very definitely wants to be noticed, you won't be wanting the dazzling, bright yellow colour that the test car was clothed in.
And noticed it was, with heads of all types turning for a second glance, whether fellow motorists on the highway or pedestrians in town.
In fact, I reckon this particular car should attract a reduced insurance premium so visible was it.
Climbing in to the low, half-leather seats takes a fair bit of effort if you're not fairly slim and lithe, but once there they grip you snugly and firmly - and so they should. But be warned, if you have a very broad bum you may find them a little too snug.
Starting up is a moderately explosive experience as the 3.4-litre flat six just behind your left ear launches into a fast idle before settling down to its relaxed tickover.
It's a noisy installation with a resonance that's not for those of a sensitive disposition, but it certainly adds to the sports car experience of the Cayman and leaves you in no doubt of what lurks behind.
But a soon as you pull onto the road, you realise that this is a superbly crafted driving machine. The gearbox is slick, smooth and precise, the clutch is forgiving and the 295bhp feeds in elegantly rather than brutally. It's not a lairy 911 but the Cayman is capable of giving far more than all but the most foolish will ask of it.
The suspension is firm and the car is inclined to bounce around a bit on poor roads. And that's before you push the Sport button which firms things up even more.
The steering will initially feel heavy to newcomers to the marque, but you soon realise the benefit as every rut hole and pit in the road is fed back to your arms - you know exactly what's going on beneath the tyres. You'll certainly want both hands on the wheel when on the bumpy stuff at speed.
Acceleration is hefty with 62mph arriving in 5.4 seconds and an ungoverned maximum speed of 171mph.
But figures like these are largely academic. The Porsche driving experience is about just that, an experience; not straight line acceleration but awesome grip and composure that allow you to corner quicker and quicker as you realise the car is going to go where you ask it to.
And if you do overcook it, the excellent Porsche Stability Management system will surely sort things out for you as you breathe a sigh of relief (and, no doubt, think about a change of underpants.)
Find yourself travelling a bit too rapidly and the superb brakes slow things down with equal vigour. They are powerful, progressive, perfectly weighted and full of feel.
At full chat the wonderful two-tone engine howl reminds you that you can only be in a Porsche, even though it's capable of being tuned to produce a LOT more power.
And despite bucketloads of performance the Cayman is more economical than you'd think. Over 400 miles of fairly harsh mixed driving, I averaged 24.1mpg.
Accommodation is ample for two and there is a large front boot and smaller rear one allowing an excellent total of 410 litres of luggage space. There are also numerous cubbyholes in the cabin.
The Cayman S costs from £44,250, with the less potent but still hugely enjoyable 245bhp Cayman at £36,220. The basic spec includes air-con, airbags and a CD player but a huge list of options could skyrocket the cost if you get over-excited.
But with limited production runs, residual values are likely to be very good indeed and, with Porsche reliability and longevity the Cayman should be a sound investment.
12:08pm Friday 16th May 2008
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