2006 Porsche Cayman (987C) Photos, engines & full specs

Porsche introduced the Cayman lineup in the S trim at the same time as the Boxster’s second generation in 2005 and waited for another year before releasing the lower-powered version of it.

Customers had already started to appreciate the well-balanced Boxster and Cayman. In addition, the car was more affordable than its more notorious brother, the 911, so the German sports car maker could sell it in higher numbers, which was good news for its finance department. However, Porsche noticed that some buyers didn’t need or want a high-spec version of the Cayman. They wanted a daily driver sports car that could be used during winter but also be easy on running costs. The Cayman S didn’t fit the bill, so the lower-powered Cayman was introduced in 2006. Furthermore, since the new version shared most of its underpinnings with the Boxster, it was also cheaper to produce.

With a front fascia that featured the same oval-shaped headlights as the Boxster’s second generation, the 987, the Cayman was instantly recognized as a Porsche. Its lower bumper, on the other hand, was slightly different. Depending on the options, customers could order it with a pair of round fog lamps integrated into the big side scoops that flanked the apron’s center air intake.

From its profile, it was easy to see several common parts with the Boxster. The front fenders, windshield, and doors were the same. Its door mirrors, on the other hand, were unique. In addition, it featured a greenhouse covered by a rounded roof, which was followed by a sloped tailgate in the back. Behind the doors, on the rear quarter panels, Porsche installed a set of triangular vents adorned by two oblique slats. On the lower side, the automaker placed aerodynamically profiled side sills. Finally, out back, the tailgate sported a wiper and a massive rear window, which solved the problem of poor rear visibility that the Boxster offered. While it sported the same taillights with clear upper sections for the turn signals and reversing lights as the Cayman S, it had a different lower bumper and a trapezoidal-shaped exhaust placed in the middle instead of the twin-pipe system fitted as standard on the more powerful version of the Cayman.

Inside, there was room enough for two passengers on the standard sports seats. The simple dashboard design featured four round vents and an instrument cluster that fronted the driver. Porsche created a visor above the binocular-styled instrument panel where the tachometer took center stage. It was flanked by the speedometer on the left and by a group of gauges on the right. On the center stack, depending on the options, customers could get the car with a potent sound system or an infotainment unit featuring navigation.

Behind the cabin, the Cayman had a 2.7-liter flat-six engine carried over from the Boxster 986/987. It was paired as standard with a five-speed manual, while a five-speed automatic (Tiptronic S) with manual override was available as an option.