PORSCHE Cayman S (987C) 2005-2008 Photos, engines & full specs

In 2005, the Cayman S range entered the market to offer a fast, mid-engine coupe in the Porsche lineup. Strangely, the first version of the stable was the S, while the normal version joined a year later.

To call the Cayman a Boxster with a fixed roof does a disservice for both sports cars. That mistake was understandable since the first generation of the Cayman was unveiled at the same time with the second generation of the Boxster and most of its parts were shared. But while the Boxster was built to enjoy a fast, or relaxed, drive under the open sky, offering a true roadster experience, the Cayman was built more for track days, with a stiffer bodywork focused on the driving experience.

From the outside, the 2005 Cayman S took its inspiration from some of the legendary Porsche models such as the 550 Coupe and the 904 Carrera GTS coupe. The round headlights, the lower lip under the apron, and the side air-intakes placed in the mid-height of the rear quarter panels evoked some of the older Porsche models. The swept-back greenhouse offered enhanced the aerodynamic profile. In the back, the car was fitted with an active rear wing that was deployed automatically, depending on the speed.

Inside, the Cayman S offered room for two passengers. The interior featured most of the parts from the Boxster II, with the same layout for the instrument cluster. On top of the dash, if the Sports Chrono Package was selected, the car-maker installed a chronograph.

In the middle of the car, the Cayman S offered a 3.4-liter flat-six engine mated to a standard six-speed manual. A 5-speed automatic with manual override (Tiptronic) was available on the options list.