Review: Porsche 987 Cayman (2006-11)

Review: Porsche 987.I Cayman (2006-08)

Overview

Released in February 2006, the Porsche 987 Series I (987.I) Cayman was a mid-engined, two-seat coupe. Manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany, the rear-wheel drive 987 Cayman was initially available with either a 2.7- or 3.4-litre horizontally-opposed (or flat) six cylinder petrol engine (the Cayman and Cayman S, respectively).

Engine

The horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engines featured two-piece (vertically split) aluminium blocks, integrated dry-sump lubrication, liquid cooling, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and Porsche’s VarioCam variable intake valve timing system. The 3.4-litre engine, however, was fitted VarioCam Plus which combined variable valve timing with two-stage intake valve lift via electro-hydraulically operated switchable tappets.

Dimensions and suspension

Sharing its mid-engined platform with 987 Boxster , the Cayman also had the same headlights, front fenders, boot lid, side doors and tail-lights as its convertible counterpart. Compared to the 987 Boxster, the 987 Cayman was 1 mm shorter (at 4341 mm), the same with and 13 mm taller (1305 mm); wheelbase length was also unchanged (2415 mm).

The Cayman had MacPherson strut suspension front and rear.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Porsche 987.I Cayman included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features: 987 Cayman

Standard features for the Porsche 987.I Cayman included 17-inch alloy wheels, a nine speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, leather seats, power adjustable front seats, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front and rear fog lamps, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tinted windows, trip computer, immobiliser and a motion-sensing alarm.

The six-speed manual models were also fitted with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management Technology (PASM). With continuously adjustable shock absorbers and a pair of acclerometers, PASM offered selectable ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes. In Sport mode, the suspension lowered the car by 10 mm and activated a firmer damper control map. In its normal setting, the PASM would automatically adjust to changes in driving style, becoming firmer in response to greater dynamic forces.

Features: Cayman S

Compared to the standard Cayman, the Cayman S was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and climate control air conditioning.

Review: Porsche 987.II Cayman (2009-11)

Overview

Released in March 2009, the 987 Series II (987.II) Cayman introduced improved equipment levels, more powerful front brakes, 2.9-litre engines, direct-injection for the 3.4-litre engines and seven-speed double-clutch transmissions (DCTs, or Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, PDK).

Visually, the 987.II Cayman could be identified by its larger front intakes and twin-tube headlights. There was also greater differentiation between the variants as the S was fitted with twin tailpipes and aluminium-trimmed instruments.

Features

Compared to its 987.I predecessor, standard features for the 987.II Cayman were extended to include an MP3-compatible sound system with auxiliary inputs (USB and iPod), a six-disc CD/DVD player, satellite navigation with touchscreen display, rear parking sensors and driver’s seat memory settings.

2011 Cayman R

Based on the Cayman S, the lightweight Cayman R was released in February 2011. The Cayman R, however, had a revised exhaust system with a new head pipe and modified engine control which contributed to an increase in peak power and greater throttle response.

Compared to the Cayman S, the Cayman R was fitted with lightweight 19-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, had a 20 mm lowered body and mass reduction measures included sports bucket seats with Alcantara, aluminium doors, reduced door trims (i.e. without storage compartments), door opening straps instead of levers and the omission of the instrument cluster cover and cupholders. As a result, the Cayman R had a DIN empty weight of 1295 kg, 55 kg lighter than the Cayman S.

The Cayman R was fitted with a rear axle differential lock with a 22 per cent locking value in traction and 27 per cent in propulsion. Furthermore, the more pronounced front spoiler lip and fixed rear spoiler reduced lift by around 15 per cent at the front axle and 40 per cent at the rear axle.

2011 Cayman S Black Edition

Released in August 2011, the Cayman S Black Edition had the same power outputs as the Cayman R and was fitted with 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels (finished in black) with wider 235/35 ZR19 front and 265/35 ZR19 rear tyres. Inside, the Black Edition featured embossed leather seats and scuff plates, directional bi-xenon headlights, daytime LED running lights, a leather dashboard lining and a ‘Sport Design’ steering wheel.

Brochures

• Brochure: Porsche 987.II Cayman (March 2010)
• Brochure: Porsche 987.II Cayman R (October 2010)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Porsche 987 Cayman