The quality of the tranny really stands out. The seven speeds flow effortlessly one into another no matter the selected mode. Built with parallel axes, there are no delays. The gears preselect themselves, always with maximum efficiency.
Carrying out the mission
Porsche’s quest to make the Cayman a better sports car continues with the improvement of mass distribution. It may seem trivial, but with such a car the smallest change is felt behind the wheel, where the ideal is tangible.
The overall dynamics remain some of the best in the industry. I made more than my share of detours simply to enjoy the Cayman’s exceptional handling just a little longer. The suspension’s settings verge on perfection, with nice stiffness and constant support in corners ensuring excellent stability.
On the track
When someone hands you the keys to a Porsche, the urge to put it through its paces on the track is virtually irresistible. My years of professional racing finally got the better of me, and I succumbed to the temptation of hitting the Mécaglisse complex in the Laurentians, north of Montreal.
All hairpins and short straightaways, it’s the ideal playground for the Cayman. The first thing you notice is how the sport seats hold you well in place. The low seats and driving position excite your anticipation of hitting the track to unbearable levels.
The second thing you notice is the violent quality of the throttle: Sport+ mode devours the 0-100 run in 4.9 seconds. The engine’s flexibility and progressiveness quickly become apparent. The torque band ensures good response at low rpm, and the steering upholds its reputation for extreme precision.
The third thing you notice is the just-as-violent quality of the brakes. Simply tireless even after hours of lapping, the brakes never bat an eyelash. They are equally aggressive in all situations.
The last thing you notice is how visibility is limited to the view offered by the narrow rear window.
 |
| On top of the 25 extra ponies, bringing the stable to 320 hp, the big news this year concerns the transmission. |
Carrying out the mission
Porsche’s quest to make the Cayman a better sports car continues with the improvement of mass distribution. It may seem trivial, but with such a car the smallest change is felt behind the wheel, where the ideal is tangible.
The overall dynamics remain some of the best in the industry. I made more than my share of detours simply to enjoy the Cayman’s exceptional handling just a little longer. The suspension’s settings verge on perfection, with nice stiffness and constant support in corners ensuring excellent stability.
On the track
When someone hands you the keys to a Porsche, the urge to put it through its paces on the track is virtually irresistible. My years of professional racing finally got the better of me, and I succumbed to the temptation of hitting the Mécaglisse complex in the Laurentians, north of Montreal.
All hairpins and short straightaways, it’s the ideal playground for the Cayman. The first thing you notice is how the sport seats hold you well in place. The low seats and driving position excite your anticipation of hitting the track to unbearable levels.
The second thing you notice is the violent quality of the throttle: Sport+ mode devours the 0-100 run in 4.9 seconds. The engine’s flexibility and progressiveness quickly become apparent. The torque band ensures good response at low rpm, and the steering upholds its reputation for extreme precision.
The third thing you notice is the just-as-violent quality of the brakes. Simply tireless even after hours of lapping, the brakes never bat an eyelash. They are equally aggressive in all situations.
The last thing you notice is how visibility is limited to the view offered by the narrow rear window.
 |
| Simply tireless even after hours of lapping, the brakes never bat an eyelash. |