The Porsche Cayman is essentially a hardtop Boxster, and it even shares its mid-engine layout. Find out what powers Porsche’s smallest coupe.
When you think of a Porsche sports car, the name that comes to mind first is most likely the Porsche 911, and rightfully so. It’s Porsche’s biggest icon and longest-running nameplate. But there is another to consider: the Porsche Cayman.
Launched in 2006 as essentially a hardtop Boxster, the Cayman shares its mid-engine layout and platform with the convertible. Is it a baby 911, or just a poor man’s Porsche? The available engines might give us a clue.
When Was the Porsche Cayman Introduced?
Curious as to when the Cayman debuted? The place to start is actually 13 years prior to the Cayman’s launch, when the Boxster concept was revealed to much fanfare. The production car was ready before Porsche’s first water-cooled 911–the 996–and became an instant sales success.
This success irked the Porsche faithful. Their last attempt at an entry-level model– the 924–wasn’t very well received, because it wasn’t very good. In his Motor Sport Magazine review, auto journalist Clive Richardson called it “blandly unexciting, characterless, without much charm.”
Now, Porsche would be attempting another entry-level model. But the Boxster was much different from the 924, and it would become successful enough to earn a second generation, along with a hardtop version.
Reaching showrooms in 2006, the Cayman (named for a crocodile, not the Caribbean islands) was originally introduced with two engines: a 2.7-liter flat-six and a 3.4-liter powering the S model. As with the Boxster, this engine was placed in the middle of the car, directly under the cabin, making this a mid-engine car.
What Engine is in a Porsche Cayman?
The Cayman’s layout is very different from the 911, which is rear-engined. The Cayman motor sits in the middle of the car, very low to the ground, thus providing a lower center of gravity and better handling verses a conventional front- or rear-engine layout.
This placement is possible because Porsche uses a flat-six, or “boxer” engine. The Drive defines it as “an engine that is designed with opposing cylinders on each side of a central rotating crankshaft.” Opposing pistons move in and out at the same time, like a boxer cycling between right and left punches.
Additionally, boxer engines provide smoother operation due to their inherently balanced design, and in a crash, can easily be sheered off in a way a traditional engine layout could not, offering additional protection.
Should I Buy a Porsche Cayman?
Introduced in 2006, the first Cayman S was based on the second-generation Boxster and came with a 3.4-liter flat-six (note that it’s larger than the Boxster’s 3.2) with 295 hp at 6,250 rpm and 251 lb.-ft. of torque between 4,00 and 6,000 rpm. The engine is backed by either a six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.
The engine is the M97, an evolution of the M96 that powered the 996 911. Porsche added VarioCam Plus and modified the IMS bearing, fixing a huge weak spot in the M96. Flat 6 Motorsports states that this engine is able to push the Cayman S from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds while running through the quarter-mile at 13.3 seconds at 106.2 mph.
There was also a base Cayman with a 2.7-liter flat-six that developed 245 horsepower and featuring the same transmission choices as the S model.
Porsche Cayman’s 987 Facelift
In 2009, the 987 Cayman received a facelift and updated mechanical components. The base model got a new, enlarged 2.9-liter flat-six that develops 265 hp at 7,200 rpm and 221 lb.-ft. of torque from 4,400 to 6,000 rpm. You can thank a boost in compression and Porsche’s variable valve-lift and -timing system on both exhaust and intake cams for the increased power.
Also new is the option of a PDK transmission, which replaces the conventional Tiptronic automatic. Porsche’s new transmission is a double-clutch type with paddle shifters on the steering wheel that produces much quicker responses compared to the traditional automatic.
Car & Driver was able to produce a 5.1-second run to 60 mph and a 13.7-second quarter-mile at 102 mph, bettering the original base Cayman by .4 seconds.
The revised Cayman S received an additional 25 horsepower, now up to 320. With the optional Sport Chrono package which includes launch control, the S could now hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds as tested by Motor Trend.
Porsche Cayman Engine Issues
Although the IMS, or Intermediate Shaft, bearing was revised in the Cayman’s engine compared to a 996 911, the issue can still persist for older cars. So, it’s best to get a pre-purchase inspection. It’s possible that by now, many older cars have already had this service completed.
In addition, Piston Heads has reported that Caymans have suffered bore scoring on their piston walls. Check for excessive smoke from the tailpipe, as scoring causes the engine to burn oil.
Porsche Cayman Engine Updates
For the all-new 982 second-generation Boxster and Cayman, Porsche revived the fabled “718” moniker from classic 1950s-era racing cars. This generation came with a big engine change, a turbocharged flat-four replaced the naturally aspirated flat-six engine.
There were initially two trim levels and engines: a 2.0-liter with 300 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque for the base model, and a 2.5-liter with 350 hp and 309 lb.-ft. of torque for the S.
Overall, the 982 Cayman was rated as a much better overall performance car when compared to its predecessor, but the flat-six engine’s sound and feel were missed.
However, Porsche had an answer with the new GTS and GT4 models.
Developing 394 horsepower and 309 lb.-ft. of torque from its 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six MDG engine, the GTS could hit 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, as tested by Porsche. For even more power, the GT4 model gets 414 horses and will power to 60 in just 3.7 seconds.
To get this engine in the Cayman was no small feat, and Car & Driver states that it’s not at all related to the engine in a 911 GT3 (which happens to be the same size).
Instead, Porsche took the turbocharged flat-six from the current base 911, removed the turbos, increased the bore and stroke, and added all new heads, manifolds, crank, and other internal components. Cylinder deactivation will shut down one bank under light engine load, and alternate banks every 20 seconds to balance wear.
GT4 allocations were hard to come by, so expect to pay a premium for Porsche’s top Cayman on the used-car market.
Porsche Cayman Engine Issues
The Cayman GTS and GT4 had a 2021 recall for its engine, which suffered from cracking connecting rods. Porsche’s remedy was to replace the entire engine. So, be sure to check if the Cayman you purchase needed this resolved.
Porsche tends to rate well overall in reliability compared to other automakers, and the 718 is no exception. But the U.K.’s Auto Express warns that maintenance costs can run high, with a typical service visit averaging $500.
Porsche Certified Pre-Owned
As you might expect from an automaker with a reputation for precision, Porsche’s Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program is meticulous. It includes a 111-point inspection and a two-year extended vehicle warranty, among other benefits. This gives additional peace of mind, especially considering the high-performance pedigree of any Porsche.
What’s the Best Engine in a Porsche Cayman?
While original Caymans might be starting to show their age, every Porsche Cayman has been rated excellent by numerous car publications and the general public.
The modern 718 with its four-cylinder engine might not feature the audio thrills that a flat-six engine produces, but every Cayman comes with an exceptionally balanced chassis and power to thrill. It truly is a winning formula.
Photos: Porsche
