Porsche’s mid-engine two-seater enters its third generation with a sexy new body, greater interior refinement and a boost in horsepower. Although the Cayman plays second fiddle to the 911 in the Porsche lineup, it delivers everything you would expect in a world-class sports car.
What's New for 2014
The Cayman is all-new for 2014.
Choosing Your Porsche Cayman
The Cayman is slightly wider and longer than before, but weighs 100 pounds less thanks to extensive use of aluminum body panels. The revised roofline permits a larger glass area and a few extra inches of headroom. The folks at Porsche obviously studied the more expensive 911 and Panamera when creating the Cayman’s classy dashboard and console.
The new direct-injected 2.7-liter six-cylinder is actually a bit smaller than last year's base engine, but makes 20 more horsepower for a total of 275. The available 3.4-liter six-cylinder with 325 horsepower carries over from last year. Both engines can be paired with a conventional six-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) automated manual. The retuned PDK gets the Cayman to 60 mph about a half second quicker than the manual. All models come with a Sport driving mode and a new electric power steering system.
The Cayman is offered in two models:
Unlike some other sports cars, the Cayman still delivers an agreeable ride with its optional 19-inch wheels, so don’t be afraid to indulge. The Cayman’s only quirk is the standard sound system. It’s so basic, an upgrade is almost mandatory. While the base Cayman is thrilling, the S is glorious—buy the best you can, but watch the options because the Cayman can get as expensive as a 911.