During a time that rivals the horsepower wars of the muscle car era, the 2006 Porsche Cayman S and its 295 horsepower may sound a little weak. However, that misconception is quickly quelled when reviewing the Cayman’s zero to sixty acceleration times: Porsche reports 5.1 seconds with the manual transmission and 5.8 seconds with the Tiptronic. Should drivers find themselves on the track or the Autobahn, they can find out for themselves if Porsche was right in stating a top speed of 171 mph (with the manual; the Tiptronic-equipped Cayman S peaks at 166 mph).

So, it goes fast in a straight line. Yet, to be worthy of the Porsche badge, the 2006 Cayman S must also be capable in the corners. To address that need, engineers fitted the Cayman S with a MacPherson strut and wishbone suspension front and rear, which is backed up by powerful brake components. The standard setup includes four-piston aluminum calipers on all corners. For even better stopping power, buyers can opt for the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) package that fits yellow, six-piston calipers up front and adds unique brake pads all around. The result is a braking system that is less susceptible to fade and weighs much less than a traditional system.

Aiding in the handling department is a standard Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system. PSM tracks driving speed, yaw rate and lateral acceleration. If the 2006 Porsche Cayman S starts to get a little loose, PSM will apply brake pressure as needed to individual wheels to bring everything back in line. The system has supposedly been designed to allow for enthusiast driving, suggesting that PSM waits as long as safely possible before interfering.

Optional goodies include the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, which lowers the 2006 Porsche Cayman S body by 10-mm and includes normal and sport modes. There’s also the Sport Chrono Package, complete with a stopwatch mounted on the instrument panel and sport button on the center console that provides quicker power delivery. With a promise of quicker response, chances are the Chrono package will find its way into a number of Caymans.