The Porsche Cayman - a Fierce Sports Car

The Porsche Cayman, a two-door sports coupe, was first brought onto the market in the 2006 model year. Produced by the German-based company of Porsche AG, the Cayman is actually produced by the Finnish company Valet Automotive.

This model is also known as the Porsche 987c, since it is an improved version of Porsche's 987 sports cars, also known as the Boxter. Its name was inspired by the alligator-like reptile "Caiman", which may represent the fierceness built into this sports car. In fact, the Porsche Company has even donated funds to caimans housed in zoos.

Available Models

The Cayman has several different versions. The Cayman S was the first on the market, with the "S" representing "special". Porsche already had plans to release a "normal" model onto the market.

This so-called normal version was the Cayman, released to the public just over nine months after the Cayman S. There are also rumours of a third model, the Cayman RS.

Engine

The Cayman carries a 2.7 L engine, with 245 horsepower, while the Porsche Cayman S features a 3.4 L six-cylinder engine positioned just ahead of the back end axle, allowing for more stability and a lower center of gravity. This powerful engine can reach speeds of up to 171 mph, and goes from 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds. It's the sport car fan's dream car.

For the regular version of the Cayman, a 5-speed manual transmission is installed, while the Cayman S receives a 6-speed manual transmission. Buyers are also given the option of an automatic 5-speed, which simply defeats the purpose of this car.

The Cayman models get between 23 and 25 miles to the gallon, depending on the driving conditions.

Exterior Design

The Porsche Cayman shares many design features with the Boxter, including front fenders, parts of the interior and the mid-engine platform. However, there are some very significant differences between the two vehicles.

The Cayman has a hatchback door for easy trunk access, unlike the Boxter. Also, changes were made in the suspension due to the fixed steel roof on the Cayman model. The anti-roll bars are thicker in the Cayman, as well, because of the stiffer build.