evo's Porsche Cayman S 2013 review: bit.ly/13UYJxJ Subscribe to evo TV for more videos: bit.ly/WpFurP Register for evo's weekly newsletter: bit.ly/YwSED0
The first 2 minutes of this review is the best opening I have ever seen in my entire life for a car review. Incredible job EVO. What a professional production.
Long Live the Cayman. Fantastic Machine, this new one is phenomenal. 911 is just a nostalgia tool, for old men and fans ( I am a great fan of the 911 but i cannot ignore the Cayman's prowess any longer) The Cayman is technically significantly better, there is nothing the 911 can do that the Cayman when set up to similar spec cannot do significantly better. Their is a reason that all of Porsche's top tier cars and race machines are mid engine like the Cayman.( Porsche gt1, 918 spider, Carrera Gt etc) This new Cayman takes it all a bit further by being a more attractive looking car than the 911. (Doesn't look like the 911s little brother any more) As it stand now a Tuned 981 will obliterate equivalently specked 911s especially the gt4 versions with the 3.8. When the Cayman gets boosted like the rest of the Porsche line up, just a tune will make it outdo alot of the 911 line up. The reign of the Cayman or a mid engine Porsche in inevitable.
Excellent review. Can't stop watching it (until i get my own Cayman S) I also like the music so much that i wish i knew from who it is. Does someone know the names of titles and musicians who play theses songs ? Especially the "techno" music at the beginning.
In the Evo magazine article it states that when you turn off the stability/traction control completely in sport plus mode it disables the downshift blipper, so there's the option for the purist and a helping hand for everyone else.
Excellent review Dickie! Loved all the camera angles and thank you for not making the music intrusive - just the right balance. This would've taken a while to edit too, well done.
The new styling of 3rd generation has to be best yet. Luscious. More like the 911 than the Boxster. It is now its own car and is a better driver than its bigger brother
The irony is that this Cayman S shown here is beautiful as it hasn't been messed around with - yet you try finding one like this in the Porsche used car network - almost impossible! This car had arguably the best wheel option in the 20" Sport Techno's, but most Boxster and Caymans are ruined why garish gangster spec and black alloys wheels. You never used to get that problem until a few years ago. Now a buyer will spend more money to make the car look worse. Chaved up Porsches do not make sense.
It only does the rev match in Sports plus setting. Which is the track setting basically. So if you are in Sport or Normal, you still can do the heal-toe yourself.
You totally right, and probably the reason both the boxster and cayman always get good reviews....but Ruf took their 3400 K Cayman up to 400hp, of course with allot of adjustments, they said it can keep up with a 911 Turbo around a track......just seems Porsche is holding the Cayman back.
Agreed. That's why I still use hand signals instead of indicators. But auto blip must so much quicker and more precise than driver pedal input, so progress is surel quicker, for the less than perfect driver of course.
Buying one this summer! I’m like a junky watching all the good reviews if this fantastic car. This is one of the best and I have to wear a bib to keep the drool off my shirt lol. About three months left to wait.......
Heel/toe IS about double clutching. Look at the epic Rohrl video in the Audi S1 in Portugal or a Best Motoring race video. If you push the clutch in when blipping, the transmission is disconnected from the crankshaft. However, if you do it when out of gear and the clutch depressed, you rev the engine AND the input transmission shaft to match the gear & vehicle speed. It reduces the load on your transmission significantly and avoids upsetting the car during hard braking into a corner.
Heel/toeing has nothing to do with double clutching in modern cars, its purely rev matching to produce fast/smooth down shifts. Double clutching is redundant - that's what synchros are for
I don't doubt that the new car has certain factors where it is not as good as the old car (and earlier 911's) but overall i am pretty sure that they are massively improved cars if you consider every aspect. I have recently bought an E92 M3 after a couple of E46's, people always say the E30 was the best M3 (which in some ways it was), however in the real world where my only car has to cover 20,000 miles a years on motorways and city traffic as well as track days, things have definitely improved
It's interesting how the Cayman has matured since it's launch. It was a fantastic car from the start and for the price you don't get a better all around package..
Thanks ;) I happen to think so too ;) and the dynamic transmission mounts are helping keeping the balance of the car.... not that one would notice unless you are Walter Roehrl ;)
I hope so, I would have liked to see the system work in the track though. I am having to choose between 3 cars, this one, a second hand Ferrari 512 Tr and an Audi RS5. If I bought this I could also buy a FR-s and still have some change. The best review of this car is by Chris Harris check it out he rips it in two.
I just had a chance to drive on at the Porsche World Roadshow. It has certainly grown up, same great balance, and a steering that comes close to the hydraulic rack of the 997. Overall, it's a better car to drive than a 991 now, IMHO.
Nice video but unanswered questions I would be interested in your view Dickie: 1) This or a Boxster S... how much Evo-ness do you lose by going drop top, if any? 2) 20" wheels better than 19" wheels from a handling point of view... really? 3) Ceramic brakes really worth c.GBP5,000? Really? 4) Std, PASM or sports suspension? 5) Bother with split diff? Will not bother to ask you about manual vs PDK as I think that the gap between the two has closed to the point that it is just personal preference.
I wish they made the Cayman with a higher performance. I drive a 911 turbo myself and the Cayman is way to slow for my taste. I like the mid-engine and the Cayman is the best looking porsche in my taste. If there were a 520 hp version I would buy it at once =)
Panamera Mange My friend turbo charged his for like 60 grand and it blew 911s out the water :) for the price it would be probably just about the same as a 911 turbo if you wanted to go that rout. Single or twin turbo you can get like 600+ out those engines, especially if you have the money to do it right
Elliot Abel True, but you can get an insane amount of hp from a 911 if you tune it =) But of course the cayman is a lot cheaper and as you said it probably cost the same with tuning as a turbo.
ruf and gemballa both do a version of this, a friend of mine put a gt3 engine in his and stripped it. its really really fast. I guess though there is no reason for porsche to overlap the cars pricepoints
The new Cayman S with a manual could be currently the ultimate drivers cars from Porsche. Looking at the new GT3 with PDK only choice and...it's rearwheel steering... This is it! :D
Another great review. Another fantastic car. Motor Trend and other American auto channels would do well to mimic the passion, enthusiasm, and fantastic cinematography of EVO reviews. One question (and it's easy): is there any info on the track used at the end of the review? Again, excellent review!
I just learned you can turn it on and off, so yeah, on days you want to test yourself you can h&t, if you want to concentrate on the other aspects, you auto blip. Such a cool car!
i would want to rev match my self still, kinda ruins the fun but i guess it makes it easier to heel toe on the track. i mean u don`t even need to hit the gas anymore
You know these are three veeeeery different driving experiences. I had a go in an RS5, and in an old Cayman (2006), but never in a 512 TestaRossa ("only" a 308). The quickest is clearly the RS5, but it is kind of an all automatic car that gets you very confident and allows you to push it to its limits very easily, which isn't the case with old Ferraris like the 512, mid engined, unaided and rear wheel drive. The Cayman is a cheap, nimble and easy car to drive. probably the bargain of the three.
The first 2 minutes of this review is the best opening I have ever seen in my entire life for a car review. Incredible job EVO. What a professional production.
Chris Oh, and Dickie Meaden is just really good at explaining what to expect if you own a Cayman S. Professional all the way.
I keep coming back and watching this video. Excellent review, thank you.
Yeah... waiting for them to drop out of warranty so I can pick one up. Hard to find the last of the flat sixes.
Long Live the Cayman.
Fantastic Machine, this new one is phenomenal.
911 is just a nostalgia tool, for old men and fans ( I am a great fan of the 911 but i cannot ignore the Cayman's prowess any longer)
The Cayman is technically significantly better, there is nothing the 911 can do that the Cayman when set up to similar spec cannot do significantly better.
Their is a reason that all of Porsche's top tier cars and race machines are mid engine like the Cayman.( Porsche gt1, 918 spider, Carrera Gt etc)
This new Cayman takes it all a bit further by being a more attractive looking car than the 911.
(Doesn't look like the 911s little brother any more)
As it stand now a Tuned 981 will obliterate equivalently specked 911s especially the gt4 versions with the 3.8.
When the Cayman gets boosted like the rest of the Porsche line up, just a tune will make it outdo alot of the 911 line up.
The reign of the Cayman or a mid engine Porsche in inevitable.
Well said!!!
I'm watching this in 2020, I still want a 981 S.
The blip is to replicate heel/toe rather than double clutching. It's there to prevent excessive engine braking on the rear wheels as you change down.
Excellent review. Can't stop watching it (until i get my own Cayman S) I also like the music so much that i wish i knew from who it is. Does someone know the names of titles and musicians who play theses songs ? Especially the "techno" music at the beginning.
In the Evo magazine article it states that when you turn off the stability/traction control completely in sport plus mode it disables the downshift blipper, so there's the option for the purist and a helping hand for everyone else.
Excellent review Dickie! Loved all the camera angles and thank you for not making the music intrusive - just the right balance. This would've taken a while to edit too, well done.
The new styling of 3rd generation has to be best yet. Luscious. More like the 911 than the Boxster. It is now its own car and is a better driver than its bigger brother
The irony is that this Cayman S shown here is beautiful as it hasn't been messed around with - yet you try finding one like this in the Porsche used car network - almost impossible! This car had arguably the best wheel option in the 20" Sport Techno's, but most Boxster and Caymans are ruined why garish gangster spec and black alloys wheels. You never used to get that problem until a few years ago. Now a buyer will spend more money to make the car look worse. Chaved up Porsches do not make sense.
Great review, brilliant driver I can't stop watching evo!!!
It only does the rev match in Sports plus setting. Which is the track setting basically. So if you are in Sport or Normal, you still can do the heal-toe yourself.
You totally right, and probably the reason both the boxster and cayman always get good reviews....but Ruf took their 3400 K Cayman up to 400hp, of course with allot of adjustments, they said it can keep up with a 911 Turbo around a track......just seems Porsche is holding the Cayman back.
Brilliant review...thank you
Exhaust burbles and pops sound awesome.
Oh EVO, you again made brilliant vid! Haven't seen something this good, sooo enjoyable drive!! Keep on :)
What a vid ! EVO - your best yet
I am 183cm high and the car fits me perfect. The possition behind the steering wheel is just spot on.
Agreed. That's why I still use hand signals instead of indicators. But auto blip must so much quicker and more precise than driver pedal input, so progress is surel quicker, for the less than perfect driver of course.
Just bought a cayman 981 S with Sports chrono and PASAM 😎
I think I like just about all the porsches that they manufacture! ONE day ONE day!!!
Thanks Dickie. That was a quality review.
It might only be March, but now I'm already looking forward eCOTY 2013 so much
Neat videography.
I drive an R8 now.. and I still miss my old 987 CS... defo getting the 981 after the R8.
Buying one this summer! I’m like a junky watching all the good reviews if this fantastic car. This is one of the best and I have to wear a bib to keep the drool off my shirt lol. About three months left to wait.......
I realllyy want to drive one.
Heel/toe IS about double clutching. Look at the epic Rohrl video in the Audi S1 in Portugal or a Best Motoring race video.
If you push the clutch in when blipping, the transmission is disconnected from the crankshaft. However, if you do it when out of gear and the clutch depressed, you rev the engine AND the input transmission shaft to match the gear & vehicle speed. It reduces the load on your transmission significantly and avoids upsetting the car during hard braking into a corner.
Heel/toeing has nothing to do with double clutching in modern cars, its purely rev matching to produce fast/smooth down shifts. Double clutching is redundant - that's what synchros are for
That automatic matching of the revs is an option - you can turn it down and do it yourself. As you should...
it autoblips in 'sports plus' mode... in normal and 'sports' mode it does not autoblip
all that time spent learning and mastering the heel-toe downshift.. and now this car does it by itself. lol
because it only works on the sport + mode, and he might not always have been on the sport + mode...
I loved the old Cayman, now this one is so so much sexier! I'm hoping to pick up an old cayman cheap now!
I don't doubt that the new car has certain factors where it is not as good as the old car (and earlier 911's) but overall i am pretty sure that they are massively improved cars if you consider every aspect.
I have recently bought an E92 M3 after a couple of E46's, people always say the E30 was the best M3 (which in some ways it was), however in the real world where my only car has to cover 20,000 miles a years on motorways and city traffic as well as track days, things have definitely improved
It's interesting how the Cayman has matured since it's launch. It was a fantastic car from the start and for the price you don't get a better all around package..
One of my favourite cars! Lovely!
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
Thanks ;) I happen to think so too ;) and the dynamic transmission mounts are helping keeping the balance of the car.... not that one would notice unless you are Walter Roehrl ;)
Nice one Dickie. Not even a seen new Cayman, yet I feel like I've already driven one! Great review.
i still think this trounces the f-type in every way. including sound
Sound? Haha
Cayman balances on car is pretty nice , i felt so much that on racing track Exactly when i was passing out the corner best midship car ever
Great review :-) ....I want one so bad!!
at least someone still makes a proper driver's car.
Perfect spec indeed!
I hope so, I would have liked to see the system work in the track though. I am having to choose between 3 cars, this one, a second hand Ferrari 512 Tr and an Audi RS5. If I bought this I could also buy a FR-s and still have some change. The best review of this car is by Chris Harris check it out he rips it in two.
Really cool landscape. That region near Portimão is excellent for driving and make some good shoots.
Nice review!
Excellent review of an excellent car.
I just had a chance to drive on at the Porsche World Roadshow. It has certainly grown up, same great balance, and a steering that comes close to the hydraulic rack of the 997. Overall, it's a better car to drive than a 991 now, IMHO.
It only throttle blips if youre in sports plus...if you run it in just sport you have to rev match (my friend has a 991S with the same system)
Awesome. Love the blip on downshift in a manual!
Great review!
Super car JR. I love my 14 Cayman S, such a balanced fun car
Nice video but unanswered questions I would be interested in your view Dickie: 1) This or a Boxster S... how much Evo-ness do you lose by going drop top, if any? 2) 20" wheels better than 19" wheels from a handling point of view... really? 3) Ceramic brakes really worth c.GBP5,000? Really? 4) Std, PASM or sports suspension? 5) Bother with split diff? Will not bother to ask you about manual vs PDK as I think that the gap between the two has closed to the point that it is just personal preference.
never liked the cayman's until now. it looks great.
I wish they made the Cayman with a higher performance. I drive a 911 turbo myself and the Cayman is way to slow for my taste. I like the mid-engine and the Cayman is the best looking porsche in my taste. If there were a 520 hp version I would buy it at once =)
Say hello to the GTS model then.
NikoBell12 The GTS have "only" 330 hp and does 0-100 km/h in 4,6 sec. I want moooore =)
Panamera Mange My friend turbo charged his for like 60 grand and it blew 911s out the water :) for the price it would be probably just about the same as a 911 turbo if you wanted to go that rout. Single or twin turbo you can get like 600+ out those engines, especially if you have the money to do it right
Elliot Abel True, but you can get an insane amount of hp from a 911 if you tune it =) But of course the cayman is a lot cheaper and as you said it probably cost the same with tuning as a turbo.
ruf and gemballa both do a version of this, a friend of mine put a gt3 engine in his and stripped it. its really really fast. I guess though there is no reason for porsche to overlap the cars pricepoints
The new Cayman S with a manual could be currently the ultimate drivers cars from Porsche. Looking at the new GT3 with PDK only choice and...it's rearwheel steering... This is it! :D
The 370Z with the 6-speed manual WAS the first production car to offer synchro-rev matching on downshifts.
Because it's fun. In 100 years one might ask "Why steer? The car steers for you" ;-)
Another great review. Another fantastic car. Motor Trend and other American auto channels would do well to mimic the passion, enthusiasm, and fantastic cinematography of EVO reviews. One question (and it's easy): is there any info on the track used at the end of the review? Again, excellent review!
I had the previous Cayman S and am driving a 997.2 Carrera 4 now. Maybe my next onse will be the upcoming Cayman GTS ... !
I just learned you can turn it on and off, so yeah, on days you want to test yourself you can h&t, if you want to concentrate on the other aspects, you auto blip. Such a cool car!
great video, driving and comments !
that is a good point! But man its starts getting expensive when you option it out!
Searching for a 986 !!! DAMN I love these ...
Thanks. I wondered about that. Gives you a chance to compare your skill with the computer!! Gotta get me one!
Correct me if I'm wrong, how can the 911 be better than the Cayman? It costs more and has a heavy tail end.
Love it to bits
What's the point of automatic downshift blip...? For those who don't want to master the manual properly there's a PDK 'box.
awesome car and review
Come to Monchique, Portugal do the same track as the host! You are always welcome!
i would want to rev match my self still, kinda ruins the fun but i guess it makes it easier to heel toe on the track. i mean u don`t even need to hit the gas anymore
Porsches new lineup are all good ..wish I can drive each one on daily basic..
fantastickk car !
Excellent Review!
They do automatic Rev-matching in the manual now? Then there is no point getting the manual if that's also computerized by now.
Great review .. Great car .. Thanks!
If on downshifting the car matches revs, why do we see the driver heel-and-toe?
Awesome car, looks just great and I think it handles the same:D
It's nice to see a manual Porsche instead of the PDK thing!
i like this guy
Super cool video :) THX
You know these are three veeeeery different driving experiences.
I had a go in an RS5, and in an old Cayman (2006), but never in a 512 TestaRossa ("only" a 308).
The quickest is clearly the RS5, but it is kind of an all automatic car that gets you very confident and allows you to push it to its limits very easily, which isn't the case with old Ferraris like the 512, mid engined, unaided and rear wheel drive. The Cayman is a cheap, nimble and easy car to drive. probably the bargain of the three.
Im considering buying this or a GTR! Which one should i get?
Now I wait for comparison video between ultra light Alfa Romeo 4C & Cayman S!
Nice car, looks like they are using the tech from the 370 with the rev matching.
I'd guess that angle is rare because of a legal liability thing since the speedometer is shown.
Don't know what he's on about we had an old cayman s and it was no poor relation, Porsche is always good no matter what model it is!
Great driving, great review! thanks.
Yes that is very true, thats why a dealer close by is already getting my GTR ready :)
I own 2009 and it works just like this.
Damn hard choice. I say this car because I don't see many Porshe Cayman S's around.
What option do you need to select for down-blip? Chrono package?
Is there a way to turn off the throtle blip if you want to?
What for did he heel and toe if the car can match the revs then downshifting?
5.37 with the chrono package the car rev matches on downshifts, so why heel and toe?
Give us some specs like NA or turbo power and torque and quarter mile time
perfect
Why would you want 'autoblip' when you've chosen a manual car? Surely it's the main reason for not having a flappy paddle.
So rev match means no need for heel & toe?
its better than a boxster S.... the cayman S is a perfect boxter S