Careful, It Bites!

Article AND Video links below! Careful, It Bites! 2006 Porsche Cayman S By Al Ferrati <p align="center"> <table bordercolor="#666666" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="402" align="center" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="392" bgcolor="#ffffcc" height="20"> <div align="center"> In short: A quick, muscular, road-holding mid-engine sports coupe.</div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="425" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td height="958"> P orsche aficionados must heed to the birth of this wild reptilian racer inspired sports car... and where would be a better place to let it out of the cage than at the magnificent Barber Motorsports Park? This is what happened on a glorious late November day in Birmingham, Alabama : the American debut of Porsche’s new car. By definition, caimans, genus Crocodylia Alligatoridae , are smaller and more agile than crocodiles. This particular animal only had a two-year gestation period—which is not too shy of a record for such a machine. While the car borrows—a lot—from its sister, the Boxster , and from its half brother, the Carrera , both in style and mechanical components, and was also inspired by the short-lived, mid-engine 550s and 904s, you’ll nevertheless find yourself at the wheel of a brand new automobile. The vehicle is intended to satisfy a group resembling the following profile: 80% male, 45 years of age, 65% married with 2.5 people to the household—sort of like a social climber living in an urban environment. However, we suggest you continue reading no matter what profile you associate with. <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="415" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> First the looks: you have to reckon with them for a while. They are unmistakably Porsche, fresh and somewhat retro at the same time. Take a look at the bubbly roof line for example, which by the way makes it impossible to install a sunroof. It might not be the top model of the year, but it is awfully cute, with a lot of character and dynamic idiosyncrasies. There is only room for two, but between the front and rear cargo areas you can pack up to 14.3 cubic feet of (soft) luggage. The cabin is spacey with good headroom, and the sports seats are desirable if you plan on having regular fun with it. A new engine has been thought of which incorporates the VarioCam® technology only found on the Carrera. We would have loved to show you an image of the power plant, but in fact the engine is hidden in the middle of the car. Only a 20-minute process would begin to reveal the beautiful sound-generating machine, as you have to remove the trunk lining, unscrew aluminum panels etc. A completely new exhaust system was created to enhance performance, fuel mileage and a very distinctive sound. The car has been made very stiff and boasts a 55% rear, 45% front weight distribution, with an excellent power-to-weight ratio of 10. A base model is $58,900, but it will be difficult to leave the showroom spending less than $70,000 as you will want a few of the options such as the PASM, the Sport Chrono Package Plus, 5-speed Tiptronic® S transmission and maybe heated seats. We loved the close-ratio 6-speed manual both for country roads and on the track. If you are curious about the rear wing, it lifts at 75 mph for added stability with reduced drag. Despite being an agile sports car with great behavior in most driving situations, the engineers at Porsche want it to be an everyday automobile. So if you can’t get to the Nürburgring for a few laps, start out at your local dealer or look into booking a session at the Porsche Driving Experience driving school at the Barber Motorsports Park. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p align="center"> <p align="left"> Warranty/Service : 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, including Porsche's Roadside Assistance Program; 10-year/unlimited mileage rust perforation warranty. <table bordercolor="#999966" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="328" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="316" bgcolor="#ffcc66"> <div align="center"> Compare the Porsche siblings! </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="425" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td height="68">Get inside! See what it's like to take a lap around the track with world racing champion Hurley Haywood. View the video clip of your choice: <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="273" align="center" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="127"> <div align="center"> Lesson </div> </td> <td width="126"> <div align="center"> Racing-style </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table bordercolor="#ffffff" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="399" border="2"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table bordercolor="#666666" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="387" align="center" bgcolor="#cccccc" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="198"> QUICK SHEET </td> <td width="177"> <div align="right"> Price as tested: $70,505 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table bordercolor="#666666" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="387" align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="199" bgcolor="#cccccc" height="20"> <p align="center"> Technical Specifications </td> <td valign="top" width="176" bgcolor="#cccccc" height="20"> <div align="center"> Performance Data </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="199"> • Engine: 3.4 liter horizontally-opposed 6 cylinder - 295 HP, 251 lb-ft. torque • Transmission: Six-speed manual • Safety: Front, side and side-curtain airbags, seatbelt pretensioners • Top Speed: 171 mph • Acceleration: 0-60 in 5.1 sec. </td> <td valign="top" width="176" height="166"> • Braking: 60 mph-0 in 110 ft. Power-assisted dual-circuit brake system; four-piston aluminum monobloc caliper, ventilated perforated brake discs. • Handling: Traction control • Fuel Economy: 20 city / 28 highway • Emissions: LEV II </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> >> Check out other Porsche models here <a href="http://www.gayot.com/lifestyle/automobile/alphabetical_reviews.html"> >>See all of our Automobile Reviews</a> >> Visit the Porsche website <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="311" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="301"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="34"> <div align="left"> The Porsche Cayman S follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the 1953 550. </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

That top picture makes me wish I'd have got cobalt!

Great find, thanks.

Mark, And that same picture makes me glad I did! Lately I have had my doubts. I have sen some lousy pics of the cobalt and can't wait to see it in person. Russ

K-Man S, The fact that that it was at Barber Motorsports makes me wonder if the Cayman will be a PDE car? One can only hope - because SWMBO did give me the greenlight to a driving course! ; -)

Yes it has already been confirmed that the Cayman S will be a PDE car!