German Car Zone

Straightforward driving
The Porsche Cayman S is a pure driver's car. With a 6-speed manual gearbox and 295 horsepower, it can either be docile like a German Shepherd or ferocious like a roaring lion. It loves highways and byroads. Plus, cargo capacity is pretty decent, which is rare for such a sports car.

Porsche DNA
When you look at the Cayman, you can't mistake it for anything else than a Porsche. The design is a combination of the Boxster and 911 heritage. In fact, some would say that it's nothing more than a winter-ready Boxster with a fixed hardtop. Surely, the Cayman has no problem withstanding the cold season.

The front fascia is inspired from the 911, with wide intakes designed to cool the brakes and optimize the airflow underneath the car. The side air vents, meanwhile, feed the mid-mounted flat-six engine, whereas the dual exhaust pipes remind us of its power. The rear spoiler deploys automatically at 120 km/h, meaning the car has exceeded the legal speed limit. Of course, you can lift it up at any given time thanks to a switch on the dashboard. Then you can let onlookers dream...

Travels
Largely based on the Boxster, the Cayman offers not only one but two trunks. Therefore, long weekend getaways with your wife are possible. Both the front lid and rear hatch open easily, either with the key or the clearly-identified buttons on the left door sill. The sloping design of said hatch cleverly hides your luggage and other valuables. The cupholders, while not very big, are discreetly positioned.

Driving cockpit
The interior of the Porsche Cayman S is quite functional and clearly driver-oriented. Access is somewhat complicated but, once inside, you quickly come to appreciate the comprehensive instrument panel. I especially liked the digital speedometer, which I found easier to read than the traditional analog gauge. The decently-sized steering wheel offers both tilt and telescoping adjustments.

Interior storage is at a premium and you can forget about the stereo due to the lack of sound-deadening materials and the loudness of the engine. The base Cayman fares better in that regard. Also, leaving the air conditioning on is a must to keep the interior comfortable, but the steady noise of the ventilating system is annoying.

The singular design of the Cayman S makes visibility a serious issue. Use the rear window wiper to clean the glass under heavy rain. Furthermore, three-quarter visibility is problematic for passing maneuvers. Besides, the outside mirrors sometimes get dirty in a hurry. Finally, the A-pillars force the driver to stick the neck out a little before making a left or right turn at an intersection.

Solid performance
Without a doubt, one of the strengths of the 2008 Cayman S is the powertrain, which allows brisk, confidence-inspiring accelerations and reaccelerations. I sprinted from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds without being hard on the clutch. As for 80 to 120 km/h, I was pleasantly surprised to shave almost a full second off my time by using the second and third gears instead of relying solely on the latter (4.2 seconds versus 5.1).

The strong brakes help the Cayman S stop from 100 to 0 km/h over 30 meters, which is amazing. Fuel economy is equally remarkable, with an average of 11.8 L/100 km. The gearbox is wonderful to work with, while the massive engine torque makes it possible to take off in second gear.

Sticky
Maneuverability through traffic is reasonable, although ride comfort is very limited on rough city streets. This car is much easier to enjoy when you get out of town. As mentioned earlier, it really comes to life on highways and byroads. If you plan on using the Cayman for your daily commute to work, choose the base model instead, which is more comfortable and civilized.

Traction and stability control systems effectively assist the driver without being too intrusive. No matter what the road conditions and your driving intentions are, you'll benefit from a nice balance on the road. The Michelin Pilot tires also do an excellent job.

A driver's car, first and foremost
With the 2008 Porsche Cayman S, driving excitement reigns over comfort and convenience. Obviously, if you really want to exploit its full potential, take it to the track.

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