(car accelerating)
(instrumental music)
- [Narrator] Porsche Caymans have long been known
for their sweet handling.
In fact, back in 2009, a Cayman S was crowned
best driver's car.
What's the secret?
Mid-engine poise and handling with wonderful steering
and a thunder drive factor that's nearly off the scale.
If there was a knock on Caymans of yesteryear,
is that they never had enough power.
Well, get a new gripe because Porsche has ditched
the naturally aspirated V6,
in favor for a turbocharged inline four.
The result is that the 350 horsepower Cayman
ties the 650 horsepower Camaro to 60 miles an hour.
But, how is the little Porsche on the track?
You probably know the answer, but watch anyway.
(car accelerating)
- Down boy!
Sit!
That'll travel a little bit longer
than I might have expected.
So nicely balanced.
Just torquin' it out at 5200 RPM.
Precision takes me right to the edge of the road.
(laughing)
Car is very happy on the racetrack.
(tires squealing)
Makes speed.
This is a giant killer.
Speed way beyond its size.
(instrumental music)
People, marry this car!
This is not like the crazy, scary girlfriend
that'll give you the time of your life
and then stab you to death
and boil your rabbit in the morning.
You want to marry this car.
The Cayman S has such a beautiful balance on track
and the stability is so good,
that I felt like I could push it
harder and harder and harder.
It's a no fear car.
The turbo four engine has way more mid-range,
and low end than the six-cylinder did.
Not quite the top end pull,
physically you feel that power level off.
It even hangs for a moment,
before the PDK does it's like perfect shift thing.
It's so darn easy and so darn quick.
No trouble putting the power down,
even on a turn eleven hairpin behind us here.
What a delightful car to drive.
- [Narrator] With the exception of the Miata,
and the Lexus LC 500 the 718 was tied for third
slowest car of the test with a 600 horsepower
Astin Martin DB 11
If I were Porshe, I'd be proud.
Running one minute 40.05 seconds
on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is quicker than cars
like the Cadillac ATSV, and the AMG C63,
and just a few tenths off the Porshe GT3 from a decade ago.
But forget about the lap time.
The way the Cayman S went around the track
and up and down highway 198 is why we love it so much.
And why it's walking away with
this year's second place trophy.
Why not first?
Blame Italy.
(car revving)