Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Porsche Cayman

At first glance the Porsche Cayman probably reminds you of another Unsung Hero we've featured before, the Porsche Boxster. Both Porsche vehicles do share very similar characteristics like seating-for-two and mid-mounted engine layout. They both also deliver exceptional performance that we've all come to expect from Porsche. What you probably don't expect from the Cayman (just like the Boxster) is great fuel efficiency. For a vehicle of its class, the Cayman does quite well in that department. We'll go more into that a bit later.

But first some background on the Cayman. I went to a great source on all things Porsche. Known as the "Porsche Man" at Checkered Flag Porsche, Fritz Falch gave me a quick history lesson on the Cayman. He tells me that the Cayman S was introduced on January 15, 2006 (yes, he knows the exact date by heart). The base Cayman debuted a little after that. It's positioned between the Boxster and the 911. But the Cayman doesn't suffer from a case of middle child syndrome by any means. It's a standout sports car that gets its fair share of attention.

Like mentioned earlier, the Cayman benefits from a mid-engine mount, which gives it an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Separating itself from the topdown convertible Boxster, the Cayman has a hardtop roof. The combination of the proven mid-engine placement with a rigid body makes for incredible handling and performance. Two trim models are offered: the base Cayman (starting at $49,400) and the Cayman S. The base model is powered by a 2.7-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that gets 245 horsepower and 201 lb-feet of torque. With the Cayman S the engine upgrades to 3.4 liters and produces 295 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque.

So with a such powerhouse engine, how well does the Cayman do with mpg? It gets 29 highway miles, and 20 city. With a 17 gallon tank, that's around 500 miles on the highway. To ensure the best mpg as possible, fuel supply is regulated by a Motronic ME 7.8 (engine management system), which also controls all the engine-related systems. 

The Cayman's prowess doesn't just lie with exceptional performance and power; its safety features are impressive too. Along with dual front Advanced head and thorax airbags, standard on Caymans is a powerful braking system that includes Anti-lock braking (ABS) and 4-piston monobloc fixed alloy calipers and ventilated brake discs. There's also the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system that monitors the vehicle and adjusts off steering.

Fritz says that most people see the Cayman as a very special high-end toy, but it's also a practical vehicle that could be used as a daily driver. The Cayman offers something rare that most sports cars lack: an ample amount of cargo space. There are two good sized front and rear luggage compartments. The Cayman interior is also generous with storage space conveniently placed on the center console, and in each door. Behind the two seats on the engine bulkhead, there's even more storage space. But if you find yourself still needing more, an optional Roof Transport system is available.  

I learned a lot about the Cayman from my visit with the "Porsche Man," but as always, it's best to see it in person at Checkered Flag Porsche, 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.