Over the past 15 years, Porsche has dramatically expanded its model lineup. In 1996, for instance, the only model this iconic German sports car manufacturer offered was the 911. Today, Porsche still sells the rear-engine 911, along with the Cayenne SUV, the Boxster roadster, and this, frequently recognized as the modern purist’s Porsche, the Cayman. Essentially a closed version of the mid-engine Boxster, the Porsche Cayman arrived halfway through the 2006 model year and instantly charmed enthusiasts with its credible performance, impressive balance, and relatively low price. In fact, many car buffs consider the Cayman to be Porsche’s best sports car, even if the bigger, heavier, more powerful and more expensive 911 remains the marginally faster model in terms of acceleration and top speed.

For 2009, Porsche made significant updates to the Cayman. Here is a summary of what changed this year:

• New, more powerful, more fuel-efficient engines, with direct injection standard on Cayman S
• New Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) automated, double-clutch manual transmission
• New brake assist, brake “pre-charging,” and Start Off Assist features
• Available ceramic braking system upgrade
• Revised suspension tuning
• Bigger, touchscreen navigation and entertainment system with Bluetooth, iPod, and USB compatibility
• CD changer is now integrated with radio in the dashboard rather than separate in the cargo compartment
• Available ventilated seats
• Revised front and rear styling
• Standard LED taillights
• Available Bi-Xenon headlights with curve illumination and LED daytime driving lights

Porsche Caymans are offered in standard or more powerful Cayman S trim levels, and can be individually tailored to a buyer’s tastes through myriad trim, color, décor, and option choices. The standard Cayman includes a manual transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, power windows, remote central locking with engine immobilizer, and air conditioning. Additionally, the Cayman has partial leather seats with a power recline feature and manual height adjustment, heated power side mirrors, heated washer nozzles, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering, a trip computer, and a four-speaker audio system with a CD player. The Cayman S adds a larger and more powerful engine with direct fuel injection, 18-inch wheels, an alarm system with contact-sensitive exterior protection, dual-tube exhaust outlet, red-painted brake calipers, thicker rear brake discs, and aluminum instrument dials.

A visit to the Porsche website illustrates the degree to which a Cayman can be optioned. Aside from color and trim, the major performance enhancements include the PDK automated manual transmission, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a limited slip rear differential lock, and the Sport Chrono Package Plus with launch control.

Interior options include a choice between four optional seats, heated and ventilated seating, and a heated steering wheel. Navigation is optional, along with a Bose premium audio system, a CD changer, XM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an iPod integration kit. Rounding out the primary options list are dynamic cornering headlights, parking assist sensors, cruise control, and a radar-based interior surveillance alarm.

There are two different engines offered on the 2009 Porsche Cayman models. The standard engine is a 2.9-liter flat-6 engine that makes 265 horsepower at 7,200 rpm and 221 lb.-ft. of torque between 4,400 and 6,000 rpm. A six-speed manual or seven-speed automated, double-clutch manual PDK transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, and this engine is rated by the EPA to return between 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, burning premium unleaded fuel.

The more powerful Cayman S is equipped with a 3.6-liter flat-6 engine making 320 horsepower at 7,200 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,750 rpm. A six-speed manual or seven-speed automated, double-clutch manual PDK transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, and this engine is rated by the EPA to return between 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, burning premium unleaded fuel. Our review vehicle, a Cayman S with the optional PDK automated manual transmission, returned an average of 17.6 mpg in mixed driving, with an emphasis on rapid acceleration from a stop.

The 2009 Porsche Cayman is available with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as an option. This active damping suspension comes with Normal or Sport settings, and lowers the Cayman 0.39 of an inch. It responds to vehicle acceleration and speed, steering angle, brake pressure, and engine torque to generate ideal suspension damping at all times. It can even respond to changes in the driver’s behavior behind the wheel.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Porsche Cayman includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags, and head airbags. Additionally, the Cayman comes standard with four-wheel, cross-drilled-disc ABS; a stability control system; and traction control. For 2009, the stability control system includes brake assist and brake “pre-charging,” which readies the braking system for maximum stopping power in the event the driver suddenly lifts off the throttle. A Start-Off Assistant feature holds the Cayman still on hills while the driver switches from the brake to the accelerator, preventing the car from rolling backwards.

The Cayman is also offered with additional standard or optional safety features, including headlights that can swivel up to 15 degrees off-center help to illuminate around corners, and parking sensors in the bumpers that help the driver determine maneuvering space in tight quarters and which can detect objects near the vehicle.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Porsche Cayman competes against other compact premium sporty vehicles such as the Audi TT, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, and Porsche Boxster.