2006 Porsche Cayman S Preview

North American models will arrive in dealerships mid January, 2006 with a price tag of $58,900 USD (equivalent to $74,200

North American models will arrive in dealerships mid January, 2006 with a price tag of $58,900 USD (equivalent to $74,200 CAD). (Photo: Porsche Canada)

CAD) - a fair bit more than the Boxster S, but a price representative of the reworked body, upgraded engine and available top-tier options.

It's expected that in eight to twelve month's time, after production and the model name have been established, that Porsche will unveil a less powerful variant, most likely called the "Cayman". Keeping in mind that the Cayman is higher up on the Porsche totem pole than the Boxster, the base engine for the regular Cayman is expected to be the Boxster S' 280-horsepower 3.2 liter H-6, rather than the 240-horsepower H-6 of the regular Boxster.

At the other end of the sports car spectrum, there's still no word whether or not Porsche will introduce a turbocharged version of

The new Cayman S is a vehicle that fulfills Porsche's need to plug the gap between the ever-expansive Boxster and 911 ranges. (Photo: Porsche Canada)

the Cayman. However enticing such a project seems at first, it is unlikely Porsche will build it. The addition of a Turbo, in conjunction with a race-honed suspension, gearbox and other alterations would bring the Cayman uncomfortably close to the 'halo' 911 Turbo, if not in price, in performance. If anything, expect a lighter, stripped-out Club Sport version, similar to what Porsche did with the front-engine 968 (944 replacement) during the early '90s.

As it stands, the new Cayman S is a vehicle that fulfills Porsche's need to plug the gap between the ever-expansive Boxster and 911 ranges, while once again pushing the envelope of driving performance.