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Porsche Cayman S

It is early morning and Porsche's engineers are peeling back the disguise that covers the secret Cayman S, exposing it to the world for the first time. There is not a spy photographer in sight, but we have joined the test team putting the car through its paces in South Africa.

By Juergen Zoellter

June 2005

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It is early morning and Porsche's engineers are peeling back the disguise that covers the secret Cayman S, exposing it to the world for the first time. There is not a spy photographer in sight, but we have joined the test team putting the car through its paces in South Africa.

There is no doubt that it looks fantastic. Out in the early morning sun, the newcomer appears even hotter than its bigger brother, the 911. Pitched as an alternative to the Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4, it is set to hit UK showrooms in November at ΂£44,000.

Flared wheelarches and a steeply sloping hatchback give the Cayman S a unique look. The design owes much to the Boxster, but the new car is more of a mini-911 than a hard-top version of the roadster. The 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine develops an impressive 295bhp and 340Nm of torque. Capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds, the Porsche has a 170mph top speed - but it is clear there is more to the Cayman S than performance alone.

Power is fed to the rear wheels via a precise six-speed manual gearbox, similar to the unit used in the Boxster S, but tuned to give shorter shifts.

Porsche's VarioCam Plus system - offering variable valve timing and previously reserved for the 911 - promises better performance at high revs. Even at low speeds it has a spectacular effect on the engine note, which sounds as aggressive as the 3.6-litre 911 Carrera's.

The cabin feels snug, yet is surprisingly roomy given the car's compact dimensions. Unlike the bigger 911 coup

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FIRST OPINION

    The launch of any new Porsche is an exciting event, but the introduction of a small coup
 

AT A GLANCE

    The new Caymanis a real stunner, especially from the rear with its adjustable wing and carefully sculpted tailgate. The centrally mounted exhausts sound magnificent, particularly at high engine speeds. Side vents are bigger than those on the Boxster to improve airflow.
    Engine: 3.4-litre, 6cyl
    0-60mph: 5.4 seconds
    Top speed: 170mph
    Price: £44,000 (est)
     
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