BY any standard, 0-70 in three years would be slow.
For a sports car it is unbelievable - unless, of course, it’s the Porsche Cayman S.
Most people believe - and generally correctly - that depreciation is automatically faster for a sports car. So, the fact the Porsche Cayman S retains 70 per cent of its initial price over three years takes a bit of understanding.
But this low depreciation is one of the main reasons that the thinking owner buys a Porsche. And again, and again.
In fact, retention of owners is another high value commodity which Porsche's rivals strive to achieve but which they rarely do.
The Cayman two seater is the latest model in the comparatively small Porsche family and it slots into the range between the Boxster, on which it is based, and the classic 911 series.
Its engine size also sits between the two series and all the virtues of the Boxster are sharpened and heightened in the Cayman S. In fact it is a better drive as a result with very willing responses to throttle, a quieter cruising performance and only marginally lower economy overall.
The standard five-speed manual box can be supplemented by a six-speed sequential automatic for another £1,760. Whether it’s manual or automatic, the gearchanges are quick and smooth.
The brakes are massive but need only modest effort to bring about rapid, well controlled and undramatic deceleration. The handbrake was jerky on the test car, however.
Steering effort is an excellent balance between power and precision with some initial firmness giving way to a more fluid delivery through winding bends.
The usual stalks are well placed as are the instruments but the faces are not marked in detail and the secondary switches need familiarization as they are on the small side as well.
Heating and ventilation is very good and it is a remarkably quiet system.
Oddments room, however, is not particularly good with small or slim compartments in the cabin and I expect most things will end up in the passenger foot well or wedged behind the seats. Luggage space front and back is also quite tight and best utilised for soft bags only.
The driver and passenger have good room but some taller users may find the legroom short. A reasonable adjustment range on the seats is supported by good shape to help locate occupants.
Visibility is good to the front and sides despite sitting low in the car, but you need to be careful when reversing as the corners are out of sight.
You can place the Cayman S very precisely on the road though and it follows the chosen path as if on rails and without any drama. If the corner tightens it merely hangs on with a biase towards understeer. Ride quality is firm and some bumps do jar the chassis but it has little roll or pitch.
The Porsche Cayman S covers ground quickly from rest or through the gears and it is utterly composed at motorway speed. What’s more you do not have to drive the Cayman S quickly to enjoy it, and that is another fact which breaks with the standard concept of a sports car.
FAST FACTS
Porsche Cayman S
Price: £44,080
Mechanical: 295bhp, 3,387cc V6 engine driving rear wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox.
Max speed: 171mph
0-62mph: 5.4 secs
Combined mpg: 26.6
Insurance Group:19
CO2 emissions: 254 g/km
BiK rating:35%
Warranty:2yrs/ unlimited; 10yrs paint; 3yrs anti-rust