GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Porsche - Cayman - range

First drive: Porsche Cayman powers ahead

Upgrade: Porsche Cayman is now the big brother of the Cayman/Boxster siblings.

Porsche raises Cayman status with more power than Boxster models for the first time

20 Mar 2009

PORSCHE has upgraded the Cayman coupe over the Boxster on which it is based, with a slight boost in performance over its convertible sibling to secure its status as the company’s top mid-engined model.

Previously, the Cayman and Boxster had the same power outputs, but for the 2009 mid-life upgrade of both models launched in Australia this week, the Stuttgart company has placed the coupe up the pecking order by applying modest but significant increases in power and torque over the equivalent Boxster models.

The base Cayman gets 195kW and 300Nm from its new-generation 2.9-litre flat-six engine – 7kW and 10Nm more than the Boxster.

Similar increases have been applied to the Cayman S, which generates 235kW and 370Nm from the otherwise identical direct-injection 3.4-litre unit as the new Boxster S, which is rated at 228kW/360Nm.

Cayman therefore produces 8.3 per cent more power and 9.9 per cent more torque than the superseded 2.7-litre base model while the new Cayman S engine (which is the same capacity as before) is up by 8.3 and 8.8 per cent respectively.

There is also slightly more visual differentiation between the models for 2009 as a result of the Boxster getting aerodynamic diffusers alongside the central exhaust, but not the Cayman.

Cayman shares the Boxster’s other subtle exterior revisions as part of its mid-life makeover, with new two-tube headlights, larger front intakes and round rather than elongated exhaust outlets.

25 center imageBut it is the mechanical package that sets the Cayman apart from the superseded model, highlighted by the all-new engines and also the introduction of Porsche’s new seven-speed (with two overdrive gears) PDK twin-clutch manumatic gearbox, all of which debuted in the 911 range only late last year.

Porsche Cars Australia has priced the PDK competitively at $5500, which is $1500 less than in the 911 and only about $600 more than the old five-speed Tiptronic S it replaces as the automatic option.

It also significantly undercuts BMW’s similar M-DCT unit, which costs $7200.

With the faster-shifting PDK fitted, Cayman accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds while the Cayman S stops the clocks at just 4.9 seconds – half a second faster than before.

Porsche introduced the Cayman to Australia in February 2006 as a new entry level coupe that was based on the Boxster, and therefore had a mid-mounted engine, but which looked more like the rear-engined 911.

Cayman now almost matches the convertible Boxster for sales in Australia and, although Porsche’s market dropped considerably last year, it held up much better than both Boxster and 911.

Like Boxster, Cayman gets more equipment for only small price increases, with both the base and S models gaining rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable seats (with memory on the driver side), Porsche’s latest touchscreen entertainment and navigation screen with a hard-drive, and an audio interface with iPod connectivity and functionality.

Prices for the base model have increased by $600, and by $900 for the Cayman S.

As well as the bigger engine, the Cayman S boasts bigger wheels (one-inch larger diameter bigger and half-inch wider), twin tailpipes and aluminium-coloured instruments and interior features over the base model, but both versions now get the same 318mm front brake rotors.

2009 Porsche Boxster pricing:
Cayman $122,200
Cayman (a) $127,700
Cayman S $155,300
Cayman S (a) $160,800

Read more:

LA show: Mid-life makeover for Boxster and Cayman

First drive: Porsche boosts Boxster


GoAuto can help you buy a new Cayman

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Porsche models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here