Porsche has done a remarkable job of improving its new 911 and Boxster models, and the revamped Cayman has been eagerly awaited by fans for months. Nowhere is this more evident than in Cayman sales, which have been absolutely flat since the launch of the updated Boxster. The real danger appeared to be this: would the new Cayman be able to stand up to Porschephiles’ expectations?
We’ve yet to get behind the wheel of one, but from what we can see the answer is a resounding “yes.” Where the previous generation Cayman was a bit ungainly in its proportions, the new car is elegant, and it’s lines flow in a much more integrated manner. On looks alone, we’d call the new car a triumph over the previous generation, though some would say the new version’s lost a bit of styling personality.
2013 Porsche Cayman – image: Porsche AG
The specs are impressive, too. New Caymans are as much as 66 pounds lighter (depending upon model) and consume up to 15-percent less fuel while delivering higher performance than models past. The base Cayman now comes with a 2.7 liter flat-six rated at 275 horsepower, which is good enough to get the car from 0 – 62 mph in as little as 5.4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 165 mph.
2013 Porsche Cayman S interior – image: Porsche AG
If that’s not impressive enough for you, the Cayman S gets a 3.4-liter flat-six rated at 325 horsepower. That gives the car a 0 – 62 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 175 mph, when properly equipped. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but Porsche’s seven-speed PDK double clutch gearbox is an available option to maximize both performance and fuel economy.
There are new options of note as well, including an adaptive cruise control system and a Burmeister audio system, meaning that the Cayman can rival higher Porsche models for content. Look for the new Cayman models to hit dealerships next spring, priced from $53,550 (Cayman) and $64,750 (Cayman S) including a destination fee of $950.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
