What Is It?
2006 Porsche Cayman S
What's Special About It?
Ah, it's good to be Porsche. Luxury sport-utes are pushing sales up, customers are happy, and the Frankfurt auto show is timed perfectly for a big announcement and a welcome new model. The big announcement is that six weeks ago the Porsche board gave the OK to build the Panamera, the four-door, front-engine/rear-drive "coupe" that's been the buzz ever since spy shots began showing up this summer. The Panamera will arrive in 2009.
The new model is the 2006 Cayman S. Plenty of folks (present company included) had a tough time warming to the original Porsche Boxster convertible. Lack of power and some of Stuttgart's styling choices for the car were most often cited. Then came the Boxster S and the car's performance sins were forgiven. Now with the Cayman S — in essence a hatchback coupe version of the Boxster — all is forgiven.
Porsche has crafted a lovely half-teardrop hardtop for the Cayman, and given the car the best of the Boxster's handling, plus a 3.4-liter flat-six engine that puts out 295 horsepower. Porsche says that the rear-drive Cayman can launch to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. Other highlights include a six-speed manual transmission and 18-inch wheels.
The Cayman's lush leather interior includes superb headroom, passable legroom, and surprisingly good storage room under the rear hatch. Caymans will begin showing up in European showrooms on November 26th, with U.S. deliveries scheduled to start early in 2006. Pricing starts at $58,900.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Everything about the Cayman looks and feels right, except the price. We wouldn't mind a stripped-down, discount-minded "Club Sport" version of the car, but we'll have to wait to see what Porsche's plans are. — Richard Homan
2006 Porsche Cayman S
What's Special About It?
Ah, it's good to be Porsche. Luxury sport-utes are pushing sales up, customers are happy, and the Frankfurt auto show is timed perfectly for a big announcement and a welcome new model. The big announcement is that six weeks ago the Porsche board gave the OK to build the Panamera, the four-door, front-engine/rear-drive "coupe" that's been the buzz ever since spy shots began showing up this summer. The Panamera will arrive in 2009.
The new model is the 2006 Cayman S. Plenty of folks (present company included) had a tough time warming to the original Porsche Boxster convertible. Lack of power and some of Stuttgart's styling choices for the car were most often cited. Then came the Boxster S and the car's performance sins were forgiven. Now with the Cayman S — in essence a hatchback coupe version of the Boxster — all is forgiven.
Porsche has crafted a lovely half-teardrop hardtop for the Cayman, and given the car the best of the Boxster's handling, plus a 3.4-liter flat-six engine that puts out 295 horsepower. Porsche says that the rear-drive Cayman can launch to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. Other highlights include a six-speed manual transmission and 18-inch wheels.
The Cayman's lush leather interior includes superb headroom, passable legroom, and surprisingly good storage room under the rear hatch. Caymans will begin showing up in European showrooms on November 26th, with U.S. deliveries scheduled to start early in 2006. Pricing starts at $58,900.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Everything about the Cayman looks and feels right, except the price. We wouldn't mind a stripped-down, discount-minded "Club Sport" version of the car, but we'll have to wait to see what Porsche's plans are. — Richard Homan
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