Porsche Caymans 2.9 Liter

For the 2009 model year, the relatively young Cayman line of Porsche coupes gets its first makeover. While there were some subtle, yet sophisticated alterations to the exterior, it's important not to judge this book by its cover. Some might stipulate that the lack of changes to the body is due to the fact that there was little that wasn't attractive about the old model. Porsche cars have always been hallmarked by their exceptional performance and handling, and the new Cayman is absolutely no exception.

Under the hood, the Cayman's engine got a slight displacement bump, going from the available 2.7 Liter from last year's model to a 2.9 Liter Flat-Six, which granted it approximately 20 extra horses. This brings the 2009 model's output to around 265 horsepower, which is substantial in a relatively small car like this one. That's not all that's new, and Porsche designers have sought to put their best foot forward this year by offering a new 7-speed automatic transmission. All of this leads to a generous performance boost that is only further enhanced by the optional limited-slip differential, which has never been a part of the performance package for this car model until now.

While the new engine and added hardware goes a long way to bring the 2009 Cayman up to par with a lot of its competition, a lot of owners will appreciate the character statement that Porsche cars represent. They're well equipped, with all of the modern electronic conveniences of any luxury car, and their ownership makes a big statement about pragmatism and practicality. With similar performance characteristics to the legendary 911 series, the Cayman is built to cater to people who aren't afraid to take command of the road.

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