Updated Porsche Cayman arrives

Expert Rating:

What is it?

This is the cheapest way into Porsche hard-top ownership and in line with the Cayman S, the entry-level Cayman has received a raft of updates that warrant it being referred to as the 'second generation' Cayman. As ever with Porsche, the changes are evolutionary, yet highly effective.

On the styling front, the Cayman shares the new Carrera GT inspired twin-lamp headlights with the S model, along with distinctive LED daytime running lights mounted in a redesigned front bumper. LEDs feature in the restyled rear lights too, bestowing the car with a highly individual look, especially at night time. The Cayman's elongated rectangular exhaust outlet is less successful in our eyes, but the effect is one of a tauter, more modern shape.

The changes to the interior are even less obvious, with a new centre console and several new options on offer such as touch screen satnav,

Is it any good?

Remarkably so. There's nothing basic or 'entry-level' about the Cayman. The interior is well put together and nice to use, while the driving controls are perfectly weighted, whether you're popping down the shops (luggage capacity is actually quite good at 410-litres between the front and rear) or heading out for a drive down your favourite ribbon of tarmac. The Cayman particularly shines when you demand a little more from it, as it soaks up the worst of bumps and clings on doggedly around the tightest of corners. Despite its rear-wheel drive layout it takes a lot of provocation to slide the rear thanks to excellent traction, while front-end grip is telegraphed well to the steering wheel allowing keener drivers to really get the most from it.

If you miscalculate your entry speed, the impressive brakes have plenty in reserve, while the six-speed manual gearbox has a positive yet slick movement that will have you changing gears for the sake of it. The larger engine (up from 2.7- to 2.9-litres in capacity) pushes out a useful 261bhp, which is enough to give the Cayman a top speed of 165mph and a 0-62mph time of less than six seconds. Still sound like an entry-level model to you?

Should I call the bank manager?

Even in these troubled times it should be relatively easy to convince the bank to let you splash out on a Cayman. Thanks in part to the recent reduction in the UK's VAT rate the new car is marginally cheaper than the one it replaces and a smidgen over £36,000 sounds like good value for money when you consider the breadth of capability the Cayman boasts. Of course, you'll be sorely tempted by some of the new options, including a mechanical limited slip differential and the Sport Chrono Package. Best to borrow a little more than you planned.

Summary

Most car model ranges feature a really cheap version stripped of all equipment - and joy for that matter - to allow buyers trade-up from other classes. Even the term 'entry-level' sounds a little derogatory. In the case of Porsche, it is anything but; the Cayman is a well sorted and exciting sportscar in its own right. It just happens to be the cheapest coupé Porsche sells.

Shane O' Donoghue