A Boxster with a fixed roof? Guess again. The Cayman S lapped faster in the Nurburgring track during developmental testing under the capable hands of rally legend Walter Rohrl. What does this reveal? The Cayman S is a purer sports car than the Boxster, blessed with a stiffer chassis and a delectable flat 6 engine generating 295 adrenalin fed horses. If you want to get serious point-and ?squirt driving enjoyment, this Porsche might just be the tool for you. Named after an alligator-like lizard, the Cayman S boasts of sleek lines and an aggressive stance, evoking no nonsense approach to performance. Inside, it?s a strictly a two-seat affair with controls and knobs logically placed for the perfect driving environment. Tiptronic gear change buttons are found on the thickly padded steer wheel, convenient for white knuckle driving. The car handling prowess can be exploited easily thanks to the ideal weight balance of the mid-engine layout. What the Cayman can't have is two-plus-two seating, such as the rear-engine 911's setup. Instead, immediately behind the front buckets is a carpeted and heavily sound-proofed engine cover, with a chrome safety bar to prevent luggage from sliding forward. The trunk, in fact, is recessed behind the engine. Porsche says there's now room for two golf bags. The dashboard is pure Boxster, with the exception of a perforated hood for the instruments that's raised to further highlight the centrally located tachometer. Oh, and should novice Porsche drivers get too exuberant, PSM (Porsche Stability Management) is likewise offered as a safety exterior/interior auto parts feature. The Cayman S is a serious performance machine that can impress more than a 911 under capable hands. A better balanced vehicle than its big brother, it feels more hunkered down to the road when pushed. If you plan to use your Porsche more for hard driving than merely for showing off, this car is definitely worth a second look.
