PDK Cayman S

Slideshow: 2009 Porsche Cayman & Cayman S >> If you think roadsters are overrated and prefer your sports-car thrills with permanently welded sheet metal overhead, then Porsche's mid-engine Cayman S is probably already on your short list. And, provided you have $60,200 to spend, that list just got shorter still, because the Cayman S is treated to a cosmetic makeover, has an all-new 3.4-liter flat-6 engine making 320 horsepower and, in a nod to putting that power seamlessly and efficiently to the ground, a 7-speed sequential-shift dual-clutch transmission. Slideshow >> Taking this last item first, Porsche's PDK (an initialism for a mouthful of German, Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) replaces the Tiptronic 5-speed automatic throughout the Cayman/Boxster and 911 model ranges. At its heart are two concentric multiplate clutches, one for gears 2,4 and 6; the other for 1,3,5,7 and reverse. Through hydraulic pressure under computer control, shifts are preselected, then one clutch is released while the other is simultaneously engaged to transfer power. The upshot? Porsche claims that PDK shifts gears up to 60 percent faster, due to the pre-meshed gears. Also, with two more ratios to work with, 7th gear serves as a tall overdrive for economy, which means its 171-mph top speed is reached in 6th. Also, your shift-harshness du jour can range from almost imperceptible (just leave it in "D") to driveline-torturing harsh (press that "Sport Plus" button on the dash — provided your car has the $1320 Sport Chrono Package — and bang off shifts with the steering-wheel paddles). The PDK is a $3420 option; a 6-speed manual is standard. Slideshow >> In addition to being more powerful the new direct-injection boxer six is lighter, has fewer moving parts, consumes less oil and gets better fuel economy. Its cylinders are now of the closed-deck design, and the crankcase is comprised of two castings instead of four; the oil pump delivers its output based on demand, reducing parasitic losses; the cams are chain-driven directly from the crankshaft, eliminating the previous intermediate shaft. The bucket valve tappets, which also control the variable valve lift, are lighter and smaller in diameter, allowing a 7500-rpm redline accompanied by a glorious, Chewbacca-like howl starting around 4500. Porsche's acceleration claims are usually quite conservative, quoting 4.9 to 100 km/h (62 mph). So we'd venture a 0–60 effort in the mid-4-second range — world-class quick, and in the stomping grounds of the heavier yet more powerful Chevrolet Corvette. Oh, and then there are the cosmetic changes. Carrera GT-esque headlight clusters, restyled fascias front and rear, LED taillights, plus wheel choices galore (18-inchers are standard; 19s optional). And inside, the optional PCM (Porsche Communication Management) display is larger and uses touch-screen technology, lessening the clutter and lowering the button count on the center stack. It almost goes without saying that the Cayman S accelerates, brakes, steers and handles like, well, a Porsche, and measurably better than before. What's Hot: 320 bhp; 273 lb.-ft. of torque Cutting-edge PDK twin-clutch gearbox Balanced, forgiving mid-engine handling What's Not: At $60,200 base, not exactly a bargain Steering wheel design is odd 18-in. base wheels look a mite small What's New: All-new car for 2010 model year