The Porsche Cayman has won the category of ‘Best Coupé’ in the inaugural 2014 UK Car of the Year Awards, an independent set of accolades designed to highlight the best new cars on the market specifically for UK customers.
Described by 27 professional motoring journalist judges as one of the best drivers’ cars in its class, the Cayman was crowned the winner following a series of votes.
UKCOTY is designed specifically for the UK car-buying public. Its tests are carried out on public roads, with the aim of making the awards more relatable to car buyers.
The new Cayman is the third generation of the benchmark mid-engined sports coupé’. Its dynamic blend of driver appeal, peerless handling and high quality has seen it win many plaudits as well as a number of awards.
“It’s one of the best drivers’ cars out there at any price,” said journalist and juror Richard Bremner. “It’s glamorous, easy to live with and impressive value for money.”
Two characterful flat-six ‘boxer’ engines are offered in the Cayman, with displacements of 2.7-litres and 3.4-litres respectively, both offering an enticing blend of power and efficiency.
The styling of the Cayman adds further distinction. An extended wheelbase with short overhangs and the option of up to 20-inch diameter wheels help accentuate the striking visuals of, as expressed by juror Tom Ford, “the finest small coupé of 2014.”
“Essentially the perfect sports car,” expert David Ross remarked, “Porsche has kept all the elements that made the original Cayman so good, and added to them with a touch more refinement, improved quality and even better handling – a real feat given how impressive the previous model was. No other sports car at this price comes even close.”
The Cayman is priced at £39,694, which offers a flat-six engine that combines 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds with 36.7 mpg combined (with PDK transmission). The Cayman S costs from £48,783, with a 3.4-litre engine producing 325 hp for 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds, while offering the potential delivery of 35.3 mpg combined.
Freelance journalist and jury member Anthony Ffrench-Constant perhaps summed up the Cayman’s universal appeal best when he said: “The correct answer to the pub bore’s ‘If you could have only one car…’ question.”
