Porsche Cayman S: Scenic Route: Ortega Highway

Location, location, location. That's the most important decision to make with an assignment like shooting the Porsche Cayman S.

The sleek mid-engine Cayman S was begging to be unleashed on one of Southern California's finest ribbons of twisting asphalt. Somewhere with great light and not too much traffic to slow us down. We have only one fleeting afternoon to introduce the silver German flyer to my recently released, high definition video camera.

After 20 plus years of scouring Southern California's roads and highways for great locations I have a vast library to choose from. So for my day to play with the Porsche Cayman S I chose the Ortega Highway as my backdrop and to enjoy a little driving entertainment.

Now, I've always been a huge fan of Porsche's racing heritage and pure design. Porsche stands for driving performance like no other marque in the world. The basic 911 bodyline has survived the test of time as if to say, "Don't mess with perfection." However, the rear engine layout gave the company a library of racing success and a lifetime of engineering challenges. As street horsepower escalated the early cars became a handful at the limit and embarrassed more than a few seasoned veterans.

With the Cayman S, the storied boxer six is ideally positioned between the axles. The mid-engine layout retains the 911's traction component, but with a new balance that absolutely inspires confidence; the kind of confidence that allows you to find the limit and find your way back home in one piece.

With it's 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder engine pumping out 295 horsepower the Cayman S has plenty of giddy to go from zero to 60 in 5.1 seconds. While not quick by today's supercar standards, the Cayman S is the equal of anything in handling.

Weighing in at just under three thousand pounds and with her ideal mid engine layout I was reminded of my shifter kart's snappy response to my every wish. The feeling of being totally connected with the road or track in a way that inspires you to find your limit.

I believe that the Cayman S just might just be Porsche's purest expression of a sports car and at price that almost feels like a bargain. I would be quite happy to park a Porsche Cayman S in my garage.

Watch the video

A full road test of the Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder Limited Edition is coming soon.

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout - Mid-engine / Rear wheel drive

Engine
- Type: Flat 6
- Displacement: 3.4 liters
- Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder
- Fuel delivery: Multi-point fuel injection
- Block/head: Aluminum/aluminum
- Power (SAE) : 295 hp @ 6250 rpm
- Torque : 251 lbs-ft @ 4400-6000 rpm
- Fuel type: Premium

Gearbox
- 6-speed manual

Chassis
- Wheelbase: 95.1 in.
- Track: (Front) 58.5 in. (Rear) 60.2 in.
- Curb weight : 2954 lbs.
- Brakes: 4-piston monobloc fixed alloy calipers and ventilated brake discs with anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Suspension: MacPherson-type coil-over struts with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)

Performance
- 0-60 mph : 5.1 sec.
- Top Speed : 171 mph
- Mileage: 18 city / 26 highway

Base Price
- $59,100