Exotic Car XxX

First Opinion
Despite subtle styling differences, the new Cayman is every bit as desirable as the highly muscular S. It’s just as good to drive, loses little visual impact and is sure to hold on to its value. The small performance sacrifice isn’t something every driver will want to make, but for Porsche fans who are on a budget, the Cayman’s lower price will more than make up for it. 

Timing is everything when it comes to successful car launches – so why has Porsche chosen to unleash its entry-level Cayman now? After all, the company says sales of the flagship Cayman S are double what was expected. Also, the model cleaned up at this year’s Auto Express New Car Honours awards, easily winning the title of the UK’s best sporting car.

However, Porsche claims that the base Cayman will only serve to extend the appeal of the machine. Described by the manufacturer as cheaper but no less thrilling, the newcomer aims to bring the car to a wider audience.

Boasting a 2.7-litre engine, it may be the entry-level model but, on the road, it has lost none of its bigger brother’s bite. And at £36,220, it is a whopping £7,755 cheaper, too – which puts it firmly in the territory of the Mercedes SLK and BMW Z4 Coupé.

Our spies caught the sporty off-roader being put through its paces in Germany with a minimal disguise. And while changes to the metalwork have been kept to a minimum, buyers will still get distinctive styling when the big off-roader goes on sale. 

The most signifcant alterations are to the nose, where new headlights and a more aggressive front bumper, com­plete with wide-set foglamps, appear.

Another less obvious change with the nose is the increased overhang ahead of the front wheels, giving greater protection to pedestrians in the event of an accident.

Meanwhile, at the back, there's a fresh bumper, the lights are resculpted to give a sharper look, and a neat roof spoiler also makes an appearance.

Improved interior trim and subtle tweaks to the suspension to boost handling are also expec­ted. The high-performance SUV is set to hit showrooms later this year.