Now in its second generation, the 2015 Porsche Cayman is still the entry-level, fixed-roof model in the Porsche lineup, but that will probably never stop certain journalists from wondering if it has become a better car than its big brother, the almighty 911. With the model now also getting a speedier GTS variant, Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman set out to find out if the most powerful production Cayman ever is finally posting a real threat to the base 911 Carrera, or if it is simply yet another mid-engine coupe neutered just enough to not step on its big brother’s toes. Spoiler alert - he doesn’t find anything of the kind.
Unveiled in 2014, the GTS is powered by an improved version of the 3.4-liter flat-six found in the regular Cayman S, which develops a reasonable output of 340 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Those are not exactly massive improvements compared to the 325 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque developed by the Cayman S, but any more than that and the GTS could have easily run circles around the heavier and only slightly more powerful 911 Carrera.
Despite being kept on a tighter leash than it probably deserves – at least in terms of engine power - it seems that the Cayman GTS is truly a fantastic piece of kit and a more than worthy indirect successor to the Cayman R from the first generation. Despite appearing to be fitted with the less-efficient six-speed manual instead of the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, it managed to outhandle every other Porsche that Motor Trend has ever tested on the figure-eight – minus the hardcore 911 GT3 and 911 Turbo S models, naturally. Even so, in the end there can’t really be a true answer to the question that Lieberman asks in the beginning of the review, as both the Cayman GTS and the base 911 Carrera are awesome sports cars in their own right.
Click past the jump to read more about the Porsche Cayman GTS.
Video: Porsche Cayman GTS Reviewed by Motor Trend originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 1 February 2015 18:00 EST.
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