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Introduction

2010 Porsche Cayman

Few manufacturers build cars that deliver consistently better driving experiences than Porsche. From one end of the lineup to the other, throughout the years, a Porsche has always represented a terrific driving experience, and the Cayman models maintain that highest standard. The Cayman is a sweetheart of a sports car. It's one of the best-looking sports cars on the road and it drives as good as it looks.

There are two versions, the Cayman and the Cayman S. The Cayman has a 265-horsepower 2.9-liter flat-six engine, and the Cayman S features a 3.4-liter flat-six with 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on both, and Porsche's sophisticated, seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, called the PDK, is available as an option.

Among colors and interior trims alone there are thousands of combinations, so exclusivity with any one individual car is well within reach; Porsche's line of Exclusive options and paint hues to order merely expands the realm of possibilities. Those choices also potentially expand the cost by a huge amount, since you can get almost anything on a Cayman but doing so can as much as double the price.

The Cayman is related to the Boxster, and some will argue that the Cayman is merely a fixed-roof version of the Boxster, which is a convertible. We disagree. The Cayman has its own feel and character. It can serve as a luxury grand-touring car for two with heated and ventilated leather seats, Bose sound system, and navigation system. It can serve as a sports car with superb driving dynamics, wonderful sounds, and excellent driver involvement. It can serve as an entertaining commuter car with decent mileage, a view out, dual trunks and drive-everyday-versatility. It can serve as a weekend racer with adjustable suspension, advanced drivetrain, and racing-style brakes. Its two trunks offer significantly more cargo space than does the Boxster. Plus, we love the way the Cayman looks. It's one of the prettiest cars sold today.

Changes to the Cayman line for 2010 are minimal. The Porsche Communication Management system (PCM) has a larger, 6.5-inch screen and the number of controls has been reduced by half. The PCM can also be used with external memory sources and can provide Bluetooth connectivity. Standard equipment for 2010 is Porsche's CDR-30 sound system, with monochromatic display and integral CD and MP3 player.

Model Lineup

The 2010 Porsche Cayman comes in two models with options sufficient to make almost every car unique. There are numerous choices in seats, upholstery colors, exterior paint colors, wheel sizes and designs, custom colors and custom leathers, and an option list lengthy enough to rival a military supply officer's ordering form.

The Cayman ($51,400) has a 265-horsepower 2.9-liter flat six with 221 pound-feet of torque and six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed automated manual double-clutch gearbox (PDK, or Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) is available ($3,420). Alloy wheels measuring 17x7 inches in front and 17x8.5 inches in the rear are standard.

Standard features include Alcantara-center bucket seats, manually operated climate control, power windows and locks, power heated mirrors, AM/FM/CD stereo, cruise control, trip computer, leather-wrapped wheel and shifter, anti-theft immobilizer, and active rear spoiler.

Options include bi-xenon headlamps with cornering lights ($1,560); self-dimming mirrors and rain-sensor ($690); park assist ($530); rear wiper ($360); roof transport system ($400); Aerokit ($4,990); various painted and aluminum trim exterior upgrades; PASM Porsche active suspension management ($1,990); limited-slip differential ($950); Sport Chrono packages that allow for timing segments and making adjustments to car systems ($960-$1,320, plus $500 for a painted face dial); sport exhaust ($2,500); automatic climate control ($550); luggage partition ($270); heated steering wheel ($210); aluminum, Makassar wood, carbon fiber and Alcantara interior trim packages (to $2,225); painted instrument dials ($690); Porsche Communication Management with navigation ($3,110); Bluetooth ($695); sound system inputs and upgrades (to $1,690); 6CD/DVD changer ($650); XM satellite radio ($750).

Factory paint colors list to $3,140; wheels (varies to $3,675) may be painted and equipped with Porsche crest centers; leather and seating choices (up to $5,375) include sport seats, power adjustable, carbon-fiber race-style, heating ($510) and ventilation ($800).

The Cayman S ($61,500) adds to performance with a 320-hp, 273 lb-ft 3.4-liter engine and six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK ($3,420) optional. Standard wheels are 8- and 9-inch by 18 alloys, brake calipers are painted red, and instruments have aluminum colored backgrounds. The S gets an upgraded audio system and HomeLink as standard, and wheel choices are reduced to seven since 17-inch wheels are not offered. Cayman S options are similar to the standard Cayman with one major exception: ceramic composite brakes ($8,150) with drilled, vented discs and yellow-painted calipers are offered only on the S.

Safety features on all models include front airbags and head-and-thorax side airbags, electronic stability control (PSM), antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (ABD), tire pressure monitors, and traction control (ASR).

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