Performance Review: Porsche Cayman S 3.4 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Cayman Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular Porsche Cayman has a 3436cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The Cayman shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cayman's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Cayman shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3436cc 24V F6 engine produces 315 bhp (234 kW) @ 7200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 273 lb-ft (370.1 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche Cayman you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 (258.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Cayman.

The Porsche Cayman has a Power to weight ratio of 233.3 bhp per ton and 202.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Cayman competing with the 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 (258.3 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ 400 (258.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche Cayman generating around 202.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (227.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 (227.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.4 secs, this made the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 as fast as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs) the or the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs). This Porsche Cayman S 3.4 is also faster than the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the and the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cayman and the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel VX220 2.0T

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Cayman on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.3 secs @ 102.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel VX220 2.0T (13.24 secs), the 2012 Subaru Legacy B4 2.0 GT DIT (13.24 secs), and the 2002 BMW Alpina B10 V8S (13.25 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 has a maximum speed of 172mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Cayman equals the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 then how about the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 (183 mph), or the 2015 Aston-Martin DB9 GT Volante 5.9 V12 (183 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Cayman Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison