718 Cayman

Make
Porsche
Segment
Coupe

Porsche is an automaker that's constantly tweaking its models, but what we have here is an all-new vehicle. Well, almost. The new Cayman has just made its global debut at the LA Auto Show, standing essentially as the fixed-roof counterpart to the new Boxster. Considering that the latter has been met with rave reviews, though, the new Cayman is bound to be a hit. Like the Boxster, the new Cayman is a mid-engined, two-door sportscar available in two trims. The base Cayman (pictured here in white) starts out with a 2.7-liter flat-six with 275 horsepower.

Those looking for a more powerful package will want the new Cayman S (pictured in yellow), packing a 3.4-liter boxer six with 325 horses on tap. Either engine can be mated to a six-speed manual (the seven-speed remains exclusive to the 911) or the dual-clutch PDK gearbox. Spec it out the right way (with the PDK and optional Sport Chrono package) and you're looking at a 4.4-second sprint to 60. The engines are mounted in the middle of a new chassis that's longer than the previous model and features new styling that already won its open-top counterpart accolades as one of the most beautiful new designs on the market.

Like what you see? US deliveries begin in the Spring, starting at $52,600 for the base model and $63,800 for the Cayman S. Destination and what's sure to be a virtually endless array of options, however, can quickly leave those prices behind as fast as the new Cayman gathers pace. The new model, then, is about a grand dearer than the outgoing one. But while a convertible typically commands a premium, in Porsche's world the Cayman ends up about $3k more expensive than the equivalent Boxster. Even the top-spec Cayman S, however, is still a good twenty grand cheaper than the base 911, keeping it well clear of its bigger brother.