2006 Porsche Cayman S Preview

More than a few automotive scribes have suggested that the 2006 Porsche Cayman S is the perfect alternative to the expensive 911 Carrera and the Boxster convertible because the 295-horsepower Cayman S offers the character of the 911 and the relative affordability of the Boxster.

In this case, affordability equals $58,900. That’s about $15,000 more than a 400-horsepower Chevy Corvette that sells for $43,710. There’s also the 333-horsepower BMW M3 that’ll run ya $47,300. Maybe you’d rather have a Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG for $60,500. And don’t forget about the toys from Nissan – a 350Z Track model offers 300 horsepower for $34,600, and a 298-horsepower Infiniti G35 coupe with a six-speed manual transmission sells for $33,350.

“Yeah, but it’s a Porsche.” That mentality, at home in the mind of one of our editors and echoed by legions of Porsche fans, will surely help make the 2006 Cayman S a success.

As will those 295 horsepower, which are on tap at 6,250 rpm and spun out of a midship-mounted 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. This all-aluminum powerplant is located directly behind the seats, and twists out 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. Power is managed by a standard six-speed manual transmission; a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted controls is optional. No need to worry about sluggish shifts from this available tranny – gear changes take a mere 0.2 seconds.