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Porsche Unveils Boxster-Based Cayman S Sports Coupe

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A Lot More than a Boxster with a Fixed Roof

Its a rare occasion that an entirely new Porsche gets introduced, and the new Cayman S looks worthy of the legendary nameplate. The high-performance, mid-engine sports coupe bridges a gap between the legendary rear-engine 911 and the ideally balanced Boxster roadster.

But is it really all new? The Caymans familiar styling details dont come by accident, confirming rumors that Porsche has indeed been developing a "fixed head" version of the Boxster. But the new coupe is much more than merely a Boxster with a metal roof; it is also a faster, smarter and more advanced sports car, furthering Porsches dominant position in a

The new Porsche Cayman S looks worthy of the legendary nameplate. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

The new Cayman S features an updated boxer engine, developed from the horizontally-opposed six-cylinder found in the Boxster S. Aside from having an increased displacement from 3.2 to 3.4 liters, the engine also gains the automakers VarioCam Plus system, Porsches take on variable valve timing and variable camshaft intake. This technology, once

The Cayman is much more than merely a Boxster with a metal roof; it is also a faster, smarter and more advanced sports car. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

The larger, more advanced engine is capable of producing 295 horsepower, while peak torque is a heady 250 lb-ft produced between 4,400 and 6,000 rpm, a 14 lb-ft increase over the regular Boxster S. Porsche claims that with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the Cayman S can attain a top speed of 275 km/h, after bypassing 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.

Porsche has long offered a dealer-installed hardtop for its Boxster, but it cant compare with the Caymans swooping, fixed unit. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America) align="justify">Aside from featuring the Boxsters six-speed manual in standard trim, Porsche will also offer the Cayman S with a five-speed automatic gearbox, modified for increased smoothness via a new electronic/hydraulic control unit integrating unique shift maps. Available with Porsches trademark Tiptronic manual-mode shifter, gearshifts are chosen through a rocker-switch style button on the steering wheel, or via the J-gate style shifter.

While the number of components shared with the Boxster is extremely high, such as

Revised side intake vents are added, now reshaped not only to make the Cayman appear distinctive, but also to aid in the mid-ship engines airflow. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

the doors, hood and the majority of the interior, there are some key differences that help to give the Cayman S its own identity. First and foremost is the uniquely designed hardtop. Yes, Porsche has long offered a dealer-installed hardtop for its Boxster, but it cant compare with the Caymans swooping, fixed unit, endowing the car with a natural coupe silhouette.

Other major changes include new, more curvaceous fenders which, when viewed from the rear quarter angle give the car feline-like haunches. Revised side intake vents are also added, now reshaped not only to make the Cayman appear distinctive, but also to aid in the mid-ship engines

One glimpse of the specifications sheet will confirm Porsches seriousness about the new coupes performance. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

airflow.

A new front air dam, featuring chunky, square-style intakes and circular projector-beam fog lamps, help give the Cayman S an original appearance, despite the use of the Boxsters headlamps and fenders. Around back, the Cayman S features the Boxster S twin, central-mounted exhaust pipes, as well as the roadsters thin, retractable rear spoiler.