Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne

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Walk Around

The Cayman is like the youngest and prettiest sister in the Porsche family. The 911 Carrera is so familiar, after all these years, that people scarcely look twice any more. The Boxster was fresh, when it was introduced 10 years ago. And although the Cayman looks like a Boxster from the windshield forward (it uses the same body panels), its haunches are sleek and striking.

It brings grace to the Boxster's shape by adding a sleek roof. The last remnants of the upside-down bathtub are blown away by the styling (if not by 295 horsepower). The rear hatch, which lifts to access the mid-mounted engine, sweeps back and down between the hips and the wide arched rear fenders, ending with a sleeper spoiler that automatically rises three inches on struts, at 75 miles per hour. The slope of the roofline is shallow and long, like a beginner ski run. From the rear, there's something almost '50s Fastback about the roof (without feeling retro), as well as the fenders that are suggestive of the Porsche 550 of that era.

The Cayman looks sleekest from the rear three-quarter point of view. The same lovely haunches that suggest a Porsche 550 also have the lines of a prototype racing car, when viewed from an angle. Very cool twin exhaust tips poke out together from under the center rear of the car, another touch that dates to the '50s.

The huge air intakes for the engine, located under the quarter-windows and just forward of the rear wheels, identify the car as being serious. Big red brake calipers shout for attention through the spaces between the sprawling five spokes of the alloy wheels. A horizontal aerodynamic tray runs under each door and flows gently up behind the air scoops, taking the shape of a hockey stick lying on its edge. Sounds goofy, but looks good.

Forward of the windshield, the Cayman loses some of its originality, although the chin, too, improves on the Boxster. The three horizontal openings below the headlamps are more aggressive on the Cayman, with round foglamps mounted on slats in the outer two holes. From every angle, the Cayman is more stylish than the Boxster.

Interior

2007 Porsche Cayman

The cabin of the Porsche Cayman declares high performance. If the upside-down bathtub profile is long gone, the Porsche instrument panel retains its classic look. And why not? Exterior styling and aerodynamics are one thing, but instrument panels are more about visual efficiency, and the general idea that worked in 1957 still works in 2007. Not just the instruments, because technology has changed them, but the overall feel, including the seating position relative to the steering wheel. Through the windscreen, the shapely bulge over the left front fender on the driver's side further reminds you that you're behind the wheel of a Porsche.

The big 8000-rpm tachometer, using black numbers on a pleasing gray face, is in the center where it's easy to see; and the other instruments are also well placed, thus giving up their information easily. The quality of all the materials is evident.

Unlike many sports cars, the Cayman offers cabin and storage space. There's a big shelf behind the leather seats, which are surprisingly non-racy looking, but which hold your torso in a snug and comfortable grip. This shelf serves as the engine cover, and supports storage bins at each end. The glovebox is relatively big, and contains two outward-swinging cupholders that can hold huge drinks. The console has two more storage compartments, an open one forward and a covered space containing a coin holder and 12-volt power outlet at the rear. The doors, also, have covered pockets.

There are two luggage compartments, one under the front hood and another under the lightweight rear hatch, behind the engine; together they offer 14.5 cubic feet of space, as much luggage space as some small sedans.

Visibility forward is good, but not so good that you forget you're in a low-slung sports car. Unfortunately, there's a huge blind spot over the driver's right shoulder, thanks to that lovely roofline, so be careful when pulling onto a highway at an angle.

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