Performance Review: Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Cayman Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Porsche Cayman has a 3387cc 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 1415 kgs (3119 lbs) this makes the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Cayman shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3387cc 24V F6 engine produces 291 bhp (216 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 251 lb-ft (340.3 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 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 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Cayman.

The Porsche Cayman has a Power to weight ratio of 205.6 bhp per ton and 177.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 Cayman competing with the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (230.3 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 177.3 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 2006 Mercedes G Class G 55 AMG Kompressor (202.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 (202.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo as fast as 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 or the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs). This Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cayman and the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Cayman on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.86 secs @ 98.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (13.80 secs), the 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE (13.80 secs), and the 1998 Honda NSX 3.2 V6 (13.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo has a maximum speed of 171mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 Cayman equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Turbo then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph), the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), or the 2015 Aston-Martin DB9 GT Volante 5.9 V12 (183 mph).

Related Links:

2005 Cayman Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison