I just received the November issue of R&T. The cover story is a road test of the Cayman S.

Here are the data highlights, with Boxster S data in parenthesis:
0-60 mph 4.8s (5.0s)
0-1/4 mi 13.3s @ 106.2 mph (13.4s @ 105.0)
Skidpad 0.96g (1.00g)
Slalom 71.7 mph (73.9 mph)


As you can see, the Cayman S is only slightly quicker than the Boxster S. The test car rode on 18" wheels, while the Boxster S tested in the March issue of R&T was on 19" wheels.

 

But. it looks a whole lot better...

 

About what was expected. It is only about 15 hp more powerful. Great chassis, but the Porsche lineup is a mess. They never should have come out with the Porsche Carrera as only 325 hp, with a Carrera S model at 355 hp. It should have been Boxster S at 280 hp, Cayman S as 325 hp, then Carrera at 355 hp. Would have made Porsche much more attractive. As it it now, 291-295 hp is just not enough for this car. Love the car, but i would need a power increase if i bought it. EVO motorsports has a powerkit for the Boxster that gives about 25-30 hp for the Boxster S, hope they have one for the Cayman S too.

 

The 19" wheels on the Boxster S are probably the reason for the higher skidpad and slalom numbers.

Not exactly apples to apples, but they look close.

 

I may be in the minority, but I actually prefer the looks of the Boxster S. The Cayman S profile and roof curvature remind me of the Audi TT. I also don't like the round fog lamps.

 

what? larger, heavier wheels make a car pull more g's and do the slalom faster? Are the 19's wider? That might account for the higher g's, but how do bigger wheels get it through the slalom faster? The elise runs on smaller wheels and tires then the boxster S and usually runs the slalom faster.

 

I had money down on this car but after I put all the options and paint and cocoa leather (a +$2000 option) it came out to almost 70k that has always been my problem with porsches. I do believe it is going to be a great car.

 

How do those specs compare to an M3?

 

After spending a fair bit of time in a new Z06, I just cannot imagine why ANYONE would want a Cayman S.

 

b/c there are some 300-400 models of cars for consumers to choose form in the marketplace....

different strokes for different folks.