2009 Porsche Cayman Bottom Line

By  Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

For 2009, Porsche introduces a second-generation Cayman with a host of mechanical changes. The 2009 Porsche Cayman, situated between the 911 and the Boxster in the brand's lineup, is very closely related to the Boxster roadster.

The 2009 Porsche Cayman boasts a 2.9-liter engine that produces 265 horsepower (a boost over the previous generation). The Cayman S gets a 3.4-liter engine with Direct Fuel Injection that kicks out 320 hp. Porsche touts this second-generation Cayman's power-to-weight ratio (9.3 pounds/horsepower in the 2009 Cayman S), which is designed to give a good performance punch without guzzling fuel. Fuel economy is about 26 mpg. Also new for 2009 is a seven-speed transmission based on Porsche's homegrown system that blows competitors out of the water.

According to Porsche, the Cayman S model can accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (0.7 second faster than the Cayman) and reach a top speed of 171 mph.

The engines in the Cayman pump out a sound that's an event in itself. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system brings Normal and Sport settings for firmness and allows the driver to set it according to driving style. Both 2009 Porsche Cayman models are a blast to drive, with very sharp steering and braking response; all the pieces come together to make an average driver feel good, yet there's enough capability as they gather for a seasoned driver to experience a good deal more out on the track.

Ride comfort is acceptable for a sports car, but it can still be jarring on rough surfaces; the interior in the 2009 Porsche Cayman can also be noisy and tiresome on coarse surfaces. The Cayman's interior feels rather intimate and narrow, with comfortable, supportive seats, but for enthusiastic driving or if you plan to spend much time at the track, you might want to upgrade to the excellent adaptive sport seats, which have power-adjustable side bolsters.

Compared to the Boxster, the 2009 Porsche Cayman has more cargo space due to its hatchback design, and like all of Porsche's sports cars, there's a significant amount of cargo space under the hood in front. For 2009, upgrades to the exterior include redesigned front and rear panels and larger halogen headlights that features integrated direction indicators. The rear end also gets new LED lights for the 2009 version.

Cruise control, an alarm system, air conditioning, leather seats, and a five-speaker sound system are standard on the base 2009 Porsche Cayman. The options list is lengthy on the Cayman, and if you don't watch closely, the price can be driven up near that of the more expensive 911. Highlights, some grouped into packages, include several different steering-wheel designs, more aggressive-looking wheels, a Bose surround sound system, bi-xenon headlamps, automatic climate control, a sport exhaust system, an in-dash navigation system, all sorts of trim options, and special-color upholstery. The Porsche Design Edition comes with coordinated extras like a briefcase, a pocketknife, and sunglasses. The model is only available with a black finish on the outside, plus leather and Alcantara upholstery on the inside, also black.

The 2009 Porsche Cayman comes with dual side and side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, and the performance-tuned Porsche Stability Management stability control system. It has not been crash-tested by either of the established U.S. programs.