Porsche Cayman: Test Drive Review

Porsche has revised the Cayman coupe for 2013. It costs marginally more than the company’s most affordable model, the open-top Boxster, and it’s as good as a hard-top version of that same car, albeit with another 10hp.

That’s nothing to sneer at though, because the Cayman is arguably the best all-round driver’s car on the market. The precision of the steering and the pin-sharp handling can put pay to just about anything this side of a Caterham and even non-enthusiasts would appreciate the stimulating noise from the 2.7-litre flat-six engine.

It puts out 275hp, which with the seven-speed PDK automatic gearbox, renders it good for 62mph in a more than swift 5.6 seconds and 164mph flat out. The build quality is second to none and the refinement and ride quality are excellent given that it’s a low-slung performance special.

Obviously, the Cayman will never compete for mass corporate sales, but as a perk for top-flight managers and execs, it stacks up as well as it could be expected to from a business point of view. The RVs are phenomenal at 46.7% and, unlike the majority of cars, the official mpg figure of 36.7mpg is more than achievable on a normal to steady run. During a smooth motorway trip BusinessCar managed over 41mpg according to the trip computer, which is more than can be said for many a clean diesel. It also emits just 180g/km, more than acceptable given the performance.

The real downside with the Porsche is the meagre amount of standard kit. Our test car was fitted with options worth £10,000 and still lacked what are now common features on much cheaper cars, such as cruise control.

But that aside, you can’t help but be impressed by the Cayman. Given that the most affordable 911 starts at £71,134, this is about as realistic and practical a way for upper management to get into hard-top Porsche.